So says CBSSports.com:
Key additions: WR Mike Wallace, DT Haloti Ngata, DE Michael Bennett (above)
Key losses: RB LeGarrette Blount, WR Torrey Smith, TE Trey Burton, DE Vinny Curry, DT Beau Allen, CB Patrick Robinson, AST Coach Frank Reich, AST Coach John DeFilippo
Key rookies: TE Dallas Goedert, CB Avonte Maddox, DE Josh Sweat
The Super Bowl champs lost two important contributors (Vinny Curry and Beau Allen) from the best unit on their team, but somehow their defensive line might actually be both better and deeper than it was a year ago. They brought in Haloti Ngata to play a run-stuffing role on early downs and swung a trade for Michael Bennett that gives them yet another versatile piece who can play anywhere along the line, in any situation. Add to that the drafting of the underrated Josh Sweat and what was arguably the best defensive front in football should still be quite strong in 2018.
They replaced Torrey Smith with Mike Wallace and drafted Dallas Goedert to replace Trey Burton. The loss of Patrick Robinson in the defensive backfield will hurt, but healthy seasons for Ronald Darby and 2017 second-round pickSidney Jones should help mitigate his absence. Plus fourth-round pick Avonte Maddox has elite athleticism and could turn into a real player with time.
The Eagles were able to pay and keep Nick Foles just in case Carson Wentz’s rehab doesn’t go exactly as planned, and they didn’t screw up their cap situation to do it. If they’re really as confident in Wentz’s rehab as they say they are and still turned down the No. 35 pick for Foles, that was a mistake. But this team did everything else well, so they get what is easily the division’s highest grade.
Grade: B+
