Paul Macrie

Pro Football Focus considers the Eagles offensive line as “having the fewest holes.” Though they mention center Jason Kelce as the unit’s biggest question mark, Lane Johnson, when on the field, is the best right tackle in football. There is nothing to argue with Pro Football Focus’ brief take on the No. 1 offensive line. But can the Eagles offensive line unit live up to the hype as the season approaches? 

This offseason, Smith decided to skip all 10 OTA, voluntary practices. Yes, the practices are voluntary, but for a player fighting for a roster spot in 2017, it would have better served him to be at the practices with his teammates trying to make a good impression on his coaches. Instead, he and his agent Kennard McGuire collectively thought it was in the best interest to workout at home, away from the facility where true football conditioning takes place.

In a part of the yearly calendar where there isn’t much to talk about with the Philadelphia sports teams, the media will do almost anything to grab at a storyline. Fletcher Cox’s “no-show” from OTA’s last week was an easy serve for the starving headline-grabbing local sports hounds.

Despite a lack of cap space, the Eagles added running back LeGarrette Blount and found a way to fit in veteran options that should bolster the roster of the short-term with the hope that it could springboard the franchise for long-term success.

Despite the perceived safe pick in the first round and calculated risk in the second round, did the Eagles miss the opportunity to take a high-upside feature running back in the second round?

Though the defense needs a major talent infusion at defensive back, the Eagles front office shouldn’t neglect the continued need for long-term solutions at receiver.

With only two weeks remaining until the much-talked about NFL Draft in Philadelphia, it is time to make a best effort at determining the Eagles’ selections in the first three rounds. Of course, it will be very difficult — almost impossible in fact — to completely peg down who the team decides to add to their roster from April 27-29, but free agency has possibly narrowed down the targets.

The Eagles continued their productive offseason on Tuesday afternoon by acquiring defensive tackle Timmy Jernigan from the Baltimore Ravens in exchange for a swap of third-round picks. The Eagles moved down 25 spots in the round, 74th overall to 99th, to add much-needed youth and depth to the defensive line.

Jabrill Peppers is one of the most intriguing prospects that has entered this year’s draft. The do-it-all athlete was a star for three seasons at Michigan, where he played both sides of the football, and excelled on special teams too. Peppers earned snaps at 15 different positions on offense, defense and special teams during his collegiate career, and was a first team All-American and Heisman finalist in 2016.

For the Eagles, they have likely concluded their pursuit of free agency shopping, though there is a chance they could sign a low-level free agent or two in the coming days or weeks. It is time to shift the offseason focus to the NFL Draft in late April — where the city of Philadelphia will be the host.

The retooling of the Eagles’ roster has commenced, and the organization’s offseason approach is off to a fine start. Though it is far from a finished product, the front office managed to address the wide receiver position at least for the short-term, and added depth to the offensive line.

Though Howie Roseman can get creative in how he offers contracts so that it would lessen the cap hit in the short-term, it is unlikely the team spends the money it did during the last several offseasons. It is important to target quality instead of quantity when it comes to this year’s free agency period.

For the Eagles, we have exhausted their weaknesses, needs and even delved into specific player targets in free agency and in the Draft. Now, it is time for the front office to execute the plan they drew up weeks in advance.

Trading Mychal Kendricks and getting a late-round draft pick in return is the most ideal scenario for the Eagles. But where will that leave the Eagles, who could be overlooking the need for linebacker depth?

With the likelihood running back Ryan Mathews will be released in the next several weeks, the team will be seeking to add to the position, whether it is through free agency or the draft. Let’s take a look if any of the free agent names are possible solutions to at least add depth to the backfield.

For the Eagles, the season ended more than a month ago with more questions than answers about the direction of the team. The front office has likely spent weeks devising an offseason plan, with the goal of improving the roster from top to bottom.

One of the top offseason objectives for the Eagles is to greatly improve the talent at the wide receiver position. With a young quarterback on the rise in Carson Wentz, he desperately needs help from his pass catchers. One free agent name to keep an eye on throughout the next month is Alshon Jeffery.

The bulk of the Eagles offseason discussion has been centered around the necessity to upgrade the wide receiver and cornerback positions. Yes, those two positions are the top weaknesses of the roster, but the quest to improve in 2017 won’t be that simple.

It has become an exhaustive focus and after two years of watching below-average wide receiver play, it is time for Howie Roseman and the Eagles front office to fork over some money to enhance the valuable position.

At the top of the list of the Eagles team needs, or maybe a very close second, is the wide receiver position. Mike Williams of Clemson is regarded as one of the top wideouts in this year’s draft. He would be a perfect fit for Philadelphia.

During Wednesday’s 30-minute press conference, Howie Roseman also stated that Joe Douglas, Eagles Vice President of Player Personnel, will have the responsibility of building the draft board and leading the draft room in April when the draft is held in their backyard, so to speak.

It appears the Eagles has its long-term solution at quarterback in Carson Wentz, but there is simply not enough talent and depth on the roster to say right now that this team is “close” to being a playoff contender. The next three-to-four months will determine whether the front office can make the necessary additions and changes to put this team in a position to succeed.

Schwartz has ultimately failed to produce consistent results in his first year as the Eagles’ defensive coordinator. He might have passed the first phase of the test this season, but there were two other parts of the examination. The good news for him is that he has another shot at this test next season, but there might not be another chance after that.

For the third consecutive season, Week 17 will provide no meaning for the Eagles. Even though the Cowboys will be headed to the playoffs, they have nothing at stake this week either. It will be a bonafide preseason-type atmosphere at Lincoln Financial Field on New Year’s Day.

The Eagles have a short week of game preparation, as they play on Thursday night against the division rival New York Giants. Can Philadelphia avoid being embarrassed on Thursday Night Football — a night where there has been plenty of tough-to-watch football games in 2016?

Last Sunday, Fletcher Cox played his best game in months with 1.5 sacks, four total tackles and several knockdowns of Kirk Cousins. In Week 13 against the Bengals, a lack of effort from several players was a concern. Cox was one of the names getting attention. He responded in a huge way last week.

The current statistics don’t tell the entire story with Carson Wentz. Yes, the rookie quarterback has had his expected ups and down this season. But in last Sunday’s game against the Redskins, he put together one of his best performances of the season. The great effort didn’t equate in a win, but it should remind doubters that the North Dakota State product remains the franchise quarterback for years to come.

Last Sunday morning, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that the Eagles will look to sign impending free agent DeSean Jackson in the offseason. It makes sense. The team is in desperate need of wide receiver help. However, a reunion with the speedy wide receiver, who was drafted by the Eagles in 2008, isn’t the answer.

At one point this season, the Eagles were playing defense at a near elite level. The dominating defensive performances against the Steelers, Vikings and Falcons, in particular, seem like it was many months ago. After three straight underwhelming efforts from the unit, the decline can be described as dramatic.