NFL.com’s Mark Sessier just posted this projection of Eagles’ starters come September, including Zach Ertz (above) at one of the tight end spots.
| Offense | Defense | |
|---|---|---|
| QB Sam Bradford | DE Fletcher Cox | |
| RB DeMarco Murray | NT Bennie Logan | |
| WR1 Jordan Matthews | DE Cedric Thornton | |
| WR2 Nelson Agholor | OLB Brandon Graham | |
| WR3 Josh Huff | ILB Mychal Kendricks | |
| TE1 Brent Celek | ILB Kiko Alonso | |
| TE2 Zach Ertz | OLB Connor Barwin | |
| LT Jason Peters | CB1 Byron Maxwell | |
| LG Evan Mathis | CB2 Eric Rowe | |
| C Jason Kelce | SLOT Walter Thurmond | |
| RG Allen Barbre | FS Malcolm Jenkins | |
| RT Lane Johnson | SS Earl Wolff | |
» Sam Bradford is a candidate for Comeback Player of the Year in Chip Kelly’s offense. If he can stay healthy, the former Rams passer finds himself in fine position to thrive behind a strong line and stacked backfield.
» Speaking of the running backs, the Eagles went for broke signing both DeMarco Murray and Ryan Mathews. It makes sense to lower Murray’s workload after the pounding he took last season in Dallas. Mathews is an underrated runner who can rip up a defense between the tackles when he’s healthy.
» I’m not convinced the Eagles are done moving players. I wouldn’t be shocked to see Mychal Kendricks traded for the right price, but if he stays, the linebacker forms a talented inside duo with Kiko Alonso, acquired in the LeSean McCoyswap. Connor Barwin and Brandon Graham will man the outside.
» I’m not convinced Riley Cooper remains in the starting lineup. Former Oregon star Josh Huff is one of Kelly’s guys and has the chance to make a second-year leap in this offense. I’m putting him in three-wideout sets alongsideJordan Matthews and tantalizing rookie Nelson Agholor.
» The secondary is rebuilt with former Seahawks cover man Byron Maxwell paired alongside rookieEric Rowe. Another ex-Legion of Boomer, Walter Thurmond, is primed to assume slot duties. Wolff is imperfect, but brings more experience at safety than anyone else on the roster beyond Malcolm Jenkins.
