FanPost

PecorMR Off-Season Mock

The regular season (Eagles Season) is over, and the bowl season is all but over. While the season was a bit of a disappointment, let's be honest with ourselves. If the Eagles didn't jump out to a dominating 3-0 start, did we all really expect them to be contending for a playoff spot in year 1 anyway? I sure as hell didn't. This season left a lot of bad tastes in our mouths, as well as left us with a lot of great to look forward to as well. I truly believe with the right offseason, the Eagles can find themselves in a position next year to compete for a playoff spot and be in a good position.

Let's take a look at the Cap Space. Currently the Eagles are projected to have about 8.94m in free cap space heading into free agency. Not a whole lot we can do with that. So how do I suggest Howie (the Magician) Roseman change this?

Cut/Restructure/Trade --

Conner Barwin - As much as I love the guy, he is a prime candidate to be traded to a team that utilizes a 3-4 defense and could bring him back to probowl form. The major problem for Conner in my opinion though, wasn't switching to a 3-4 defense, it was the fact he played way more against LT's this year instead of only facing RT's like he did in previous years under Billy Davis. I think Schwartz will realize this, and use him more as a rotational piece and attack RT's more often next year. That being said, he is a prime candidate to restructure his contract, as he already openly said he would be willing to do to stay in Philly.

Conner Barwin is a key locker room veteran on the defense and is worth keeping around at a smaller contract. I think a great contract to emulate would be Rob Ninkovich in New England. Similar ages when they restructured, and this would open up 3.95m in year one of cap space for the Eagles, also not creating another hole in the process.

Jason Peters - Jason Peters is still a probowl caliber LT, and appears to be beating off Father Time with a wooden bat. Peters had a great bounceback year this year, but has a cap hit of over 11mil this year, but no more guaranteed money. I think if Howie offered him a ton of guaranteed money over the next few years, he'd be willing to take a smaller cap hit/salary to compensate for that now. I'm not going to go nuts, I think he'll take a small pay cut to open somewhere around 2m a year.

Ryan Mathews - Fumbles the ball at the wrong time, and can never stay healthy. This is probably the easiest cut for me. 4m freed up with only 1m in dead money.

Leodis McKelvin - McKelvin is no longer a starting caliber corner. This is another easy 3.2m to open up. I believe Mills outplayed him when given the opportunity and I'd rather give the reps to the 2nd year corner if it comes down to it.

Ron Brooks - This was a hard cut for me. Brooks is an outstanding special teamer, but I think with Fipp as our coordinator, we can make due somewhere else with a corner who can stay healthy and be reliable for the team. Opens another 1.6m

Matt Tobin - This is actually the hardest cut for me, but with the team in love with Gordon's upside at the Tackle position and Big V not looking terrible when asked to start at RT as the year went on, we can afford to move on from Tobin and open up another 850k. This cut most likely isn't until camp is about over.

Rick Lovato - Yes ... I'm going to be petty enough to name the new long snapper here. I think he sticks around for camp as well, but Dorenbos new contract has mostly all dead money in it while Lovato can be tossed for zero dead money. I'll stick with the veteran here and save another 540k

All in all ... these savings here don't open up any major holes, besides the gapping one we already had at corner anyway and bring the Eagles Salary Cap to roughly a respectable 24.88m (Calculations done on Overthecap.com)

Re-sign --

Nolan Carroll - Nolan gets a lot of hate, but he is at least a reliable CB2. You know what your going to get from him and he's rarely injured. I'm willing to keep him around just to have a veteran corner who is familiar with the scheme, and if he rides the bench then so be it. I actually think we can give him McKelvin's contract which had a year 1 cap hit of only 1.8m

Trey Burton - Trey has become one of Wentz's most reliable targets and is developing each year nicely. I think we can give him a similar special teams stand out TE's contract in Niles Paul, 2 years/6mil with a first year cap hit of 2.75m.

Free Agency --

I'm personally a strong advocate that you don't build your teams through free agency. It rarely ever works. You plug the holes and find solid band-aids to positions of need and then draft BPA to build a better overall roster to win with. There is no scenario where a team can have Top 5 talent at every position, it's impossible. You just hope your overall talent on your team is great enough to cover the weaknesses and make everyone around them play better.

Brandon Marshall - WR - Brandon Marshall is a big name Vet, who annually puts up huge numbers. In fact, the only years he didn't hit the 1,000 yards mark was in 2006 his rookie year and in 2014 with the Bears when they traded him. 2015 Brandon Marshall led the league in TD's with 14.

While it's clear Marshall isn't as explosive as he once was, he does still have elite route running ability and tremendous hands. It would go without saying I think he could easily put up 1 or 2 more WR1 level years while the Eagles figure out what to do with the logjam of WR2/3 types on the team in DGB, Matthews, and Agholor.

Brandon Marshall currently has only 1 year left at 7.5m for a cap hit. He has zero dead money, so even if the Eagles trade for him and it doesn't work, there is no stress on the cap from it.

The Jets aren't in the best cap situation themselves, and could use the extra 7.5m in cap space. They also have an abundance of youth at the receiver position that looks exceptionally talented and could be the best overall team at the position in my opinion. Robby Anderson looks to be a huge playmaker, Eric Decker is reliable when healthy and makes big plays, Quincy Enunwa has been a pleasant surprise for them as well, so they can afford to let Brandon Marshall go while getting a mid round draft pick in exchange to help their team elsewhere this year. Jets also look to be going towards rebuild mode, so getting anything in exchange for a veteran (32 yr old) in a position they are solid at could make sense as well.

Trade Proposed - I'd like to give the Jets a 2018 Conditional pick for Marshall. Ranging from a 3rd rounder to a 6th rounder depending on what he does with Philly and if he re-signs for not here as well.

Kendell Wright - WR - Another receiver. Wright flashed major upside early in his career, but things have gotten pretty weird in his final two years in Tenn. Injuries plagued his 2015 season, and he was a healthy scratch/rotational player most of 2016. While serving as a rotational piece though, he did show flashes of his rookie/sophmore form though and had some tremendous plays.

I think Wright is most likely going to have to settle for a prove-it deal somewhere, and Philly is desperate for a deep threat. This seems like a win-win for both parties involved. Wright gets a prove it deal with a team hurting at the receiver position, and Eagles get a deep threat for a bargain price of most likely about 5m for this year.

Having two veteran receivers essentially on prove-it deals, with the logjam of depth level talent the Eagles have on the roster already. This will set camp up for a serious battle for roster and might bring out the best of Agholor/DGB or make them expendable and worth eating the dead cap space for Agholor.

Kendell Reyes - DT - I've followed Reyes since he was a pass-rushing force for UConn a few years back. The guy is meant to be an attacking 4-3 DT and yet, he was drafted to play 3-4 DE and then signed by Washington to play DE as well. Reyes knows how to get to the QB, as shown by his 5.5 sacks as a rookie and then 5 sacks the next year. He's currently on a 1 year prove it deal with KC and doing nothing for their rotation. I think he's a great veteran project to give Schwartz to play with on a one-year deal as well for around 2m. Only 27 years old, this could turn into a long term thing if he shows up the way I think he can under Schwartz attacking 4-3 defense as a rotational pass rusher. This would only cost the Eagles at most, 2.5m on a 1 year prove it deal.

After these moves, the Eagles will still have roughly 6m in cap space to play with and not be completely strapped, while still looking on the upside.

2017 NFL Draft --

Round 1 - Dalvin Cook - RB - FSU - The trendy pick here in Corey Davis, and I'm just not on board with that. I still think he's a bit of a reach and not a top 15 type of player personally. It's come to the point where I just agree to disagree here. Cook on the other hand, is a playmaker at the RB position and the type that can completely change the dynamic of a team.

Dalvin Cook is the kind of homerun threat Eagles fans have missed since Chip Kelly traded away Shady McCoy. He can any run and is a threat to take it to the house. Explosive athlete but with the intelligence to wait behind his line for the blocks to develop before attacking the hole, with excellent cutting ability and balance. Dalvin Cook also is tremendous in the passing game and is a legitimate 3-down back. Only real downside to Cook is an off the field incident a few years ago, and occasionally puts the ball on the ground (coachable problem though)

Dalvin Cooks stat line as a Junior, was an incredible 1765 yards, 6.1 YPA with 19 TDs, and 488 yards receiving at 14.8 YPC and 1 TD.

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Round 2 - Desmond King - CB - Iowa - I'm aware your probably killing me right now for gutting the CB position and leaving Mills/Carroll as the only viable starters besides a couple UDFA's rolled over from 2016. This is where I fix the secondary. Desmond King has legitimate starter potential, but due to his size he's considered a slot only type of corner. Which, after watching some tape, I have to agree, I think King will thrive in the slot in the NFL, but he does have outside potential in the right scheme. I think we run that scheme. Schwartz is not afraid to put smaller corners on the outside, as long as they have a nose for the ball and play with the edge he requires.

Desmond King plays with the anger and ferocity that Schwartz expects from his corners, at the same time, he has instincts that are off the charts. While only 5'10, King has been one of the best corners in NCAA for the last couple of years and put up some pretty insane stats as well. Desmond King as a 4 year stater, has put up 263 total tackles, 9.5 of which were for loss, 14 Ints and 33 PDs. That's an insane nose for the ball in the air.

I think King would come in day 1 and compete for the CB1 spot, and worst case scenario, be an elite slot corner in the NFL.

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Round 3 - Cooper Kupp - WR - Eastern Washington - Eagles tried to go the easy route for a deep speed threat in adding a few failed speedster draft picks in free agency last year. Kupp has good breakaway speed and can deliver on the deep ball, and uses his body (6'2 215) to overpower smaller corners and win 50-50 plays.

Kupp has had a tremendous college career, but I think he may be a bit limited in what he can do in the pro's. He has seen snaps at both slot and outside, and could develop into an outside receiver. He has tremendous work ethic and great field awareness for where the ball is. His route running could be the best in the draft among prospects, but has dropped some more difficult catches as he appears to struggle to adjust to the ball when its in the air at occasions.

Kupp is a huge project at receiver, but has a very high ceiling in my opinion.

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Round 4 - Jamar Summers - CB - UConn - Eagles snag another corner, this time one with great upside in the mid rounds. After a very strong Sophmore campaign, Jamar Summers was considered a round 2 prospect. He had a so/so time this past year (Terrible games vs Syracuse/Houston) and finished pretty strong though.

There is a ton to love about Summers though. He's 6'0, has very good length, above average athlete and sound tackler. His technique could use a lot of coaching, but for a press corner, does a very good job and makes a ton of plays. In 2015 Summers had 8 INTs and was a dominant force on a solid Huskies defense. I think Summers can come in day 1 and compete for a starting outside job.

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Round 4 - Javarius Leamon - OT - South Carolina State - Behemoth at 6'7, but only 310lbs Leamon is extremely athletic for his size and offers a rare size/speed combination at his position. Leamon is very good against the bull rush but that's about it, needs some serious time to develop. Great candidate for a red-shirt season on the mystery IR list. His raw potential could very well develop into a starting Tackle in the NFL though.

Round 5 - Eddie Jackson - S - Alabama - Eddie Jackson was a highly recruited corner coming out of High School who converted to Safety his junior year for Alabama and was a star at the new position. Regarded as one of the top safety prospects in this upcoming draft it was a shame he fractured his leg and is now out the rest of the season.

The good news for Eddie Jackson and the Eagles, they can take their time with him. Obviously stacked at Safety with McLeod and Malcolm Jenkins, this is more of a luxury, BPA type of pick. While it also makes sense as well as giving Schwartz another chess piece on the defense in year one too.

The Eagles like to drop Jenkins into the slot a lot and put Jaylen Watkins in at safety (mostly because the Eagles corners are putrid). This would give the Eagles a young developmental piece to put in at safety when Jenkins goes into the slot, while also giving him valuable playing time for when he's ready to take over for Jenkins in a couple of years

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Honestly, if they used their 3rd rounder on Jackson ... I wouldn't be mad.

Round 6 - Tre'von Johnson - OLB - Weber St - Probably my favorite sleeper pick in the draft this year. Tre'von Johnson is a tackling machine out of the small school of Weber St. Johnson has shown instincts that are off the charts and reminds me a ton of Chris Borland, when he was coming out of Wisconsin.

Worried his projected draft stock will sky rocket soon though, as he was selected to the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl and will have a chance to showcase his abilities against others.

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Look at the love this coach has for his player! Must be doing something right!

Round 7 - Speedy Noil - WR - Texas AM - A true deep threat specialist and could make an immediate impact on special teams. Speedy Noil as a freshman had the potential to be a star, but never lived up to the hype. Off the field concerns derailed him a bit as well. His off the field concerns could make him undraftable, but Howie showed a willingness to take shots on character issues late last year (Jalen Mills). Added bonus - can come in day 1 and start on special teams as a returner.

Speedy gets a few gifs ... his raw talent is just insane.

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The way he can track the ball once it's in the air, is like everything is in slow motion for him.

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You want your deep threat who can make huge plays?

Offensive Summary ---

I think we have a very solid 1-2 at the QB position and Daniel is worth his contract. He's basically another coach to help develop Wentz. At the RB position we have a bonafide playmaker now who can be a 3-down back, but we also have the depth of Smallwood/Sproles to spell Cook and give him a break. I like the idea of keeping Byron Marshall as well as a 4th RB since Sproles is retiring next year and Marshall can be the heir apparent to his role. I overdid it to the receiver position on purpose. There will be some tough cuts now, and hopefully we end up cutting Wright because Agholor or DGB step up in a big way. I still believe in both of them as developmental prospects who can turn it around, DGB especially.

I don't think our offensive line is as big of a need as a lot of you think it is. Peters still has another year or two left in the tank, Johnson is a game changer at RT (let's just hope he doesn't get suspended again) and Big V improved each week as he was starting pre-injury. I like Gordon a lot as a developmental OT as well as adding another rookie there at Tackle as well just in case. I think we are pretty set at guard with Suemalo, Barbre and Brooks. I expect Greene to take a huge step forward as well, and maybe even add another UDFA there as well for depth in camp. Kelce is still a solid starting Center. His issues seem to arrive when he has inconsistency across the OLine. When it's the same starting 5 he plays like a top 5 center, it's when things get shuffled around he struggles. I'm giving Kelce one more year to prove me wrong, if not, Suemalo can step in mid season and start at Center.

Defensive Summary ---

I have faith in our current D-Line. I really think switching Barwin to the other side again and attacking RT's will make a huge difference, as well as making Curry the actual starter. Curry seemed to improve as the season went on. Marcus Smith took a huge step forward this year, and I'm hoping Smith/Means/McCalister all improve in year 2 of the scheme, I have no reason not to think so. At DT I really think K.Reyes can save his career reverting back to a scheme similar to what he ran in college at UConn, an attacking 4-3. Allen looked very solid when Bennie Logan was out with injury, so I don't think the drop off will be that tremendous losing him and promoting Allen/Reyes. I really like what I saw out of Destiny as well, and remember, in camp, Wujciak was actually ahead of him on the depth chart prior to going on IR.

Our Linebacking situation is pretty solid with Hicks/Bradham as the starters and Kendricks only coming in on 3 LBer sets, which is rarely. I'm bringing in Johnson to compete with Kendricks and serve as key depth to the LBer position. Getting back Joe Walker will make a difference to the depth as well, Eagles had no interest in Tulloch at all, until Walker went down to IR.

I treated the CB position almost exactly as I did the WR position, just not as extreme with trades. Open competition at all levels for CB with two decent draft picks thrown in there. If the pass rush improves like I hope it will, it will make the corners play better regardless.