Philadelphia Eagles Post-Draft Depth Chart: Defense (2015)

The Philadelphia Eagles acquired a total of six new players in the 2015 NFL Draft. The team also added 16 signings through undrafted free agency. Now let's take a look at what the 2015 projected depth chart looks like with respect to these draft additions. Yesterday we took stock of the offense. Today we'll look at the defense.

(Before we get started, look at how different the roster looks compared to last year.)

Defensive End:

1) Fletcher Cox

2) Cedric Thornton

3) Vinny Curry

4) Brandon Bair

5) Taylor Hart

6) Brian Mihalik

7) Travis Raciti

8) B.J. McBryde

Cox is a star and he's only 24. Thornton doesn't provide much in the terms of pass rush but he's a very good run defender and that can't be overlooked. Curry is a great pass rusher off the bench. Bair earned a spot on the team by blocking some kicks but should be replaceable moving forward due to his age. Hart essentially red-shirted as a rookie so the team will hope he can provide something. Mihalik has a great combination of size and athleticism but he's raw. Raciti and McBryde are a few interesting UDFA types who could challenge for a practice squad spot.

Nose Tackle

1) Bennie Logan

2) Beau Allen

3) Wade Keliikipi

Logan is a very solid starter at nose tackle. Allen provided good depth as a rookie and contributed in a rotational role. Keliikipi spent last season on the practice squad.

Outside Linebacker

1) Connor Barwin

2) Brandon Graham

3) Marcus Smith

4) Bryan Braman

5) Travis Long

6) Jordan Dewalt-Ondijo

Barwin is coming off a great second season with the team. Graham returns to the Eagles as a starter as opposed to being a pass rusher off the bench. It's up to him to replace Trent Cole. 2014 first round draft pick Smith has added some weight in the offseason. It seems he'll be the top backup at both positions. He could get some rotational playing time as well. The team was high on Long before he suffered an ACL injury last preseason. JDO is coming in to compete in training camp.

Inside Linebacker

1) Kiko Alonso

2) Mychal Kendricks

3) DeMeco Ryans

4) Jordan Hicks

5) Najee Goode

6) Brad Jones

7) Emmanuel Acho

8) Brandon Hepburn

The team traded LeSean McCoy for Alonso so they're obviously high on him. Kendricks is entering the fourth season of his career, but will the Eagles keep him? Ryans was re-signed due to his leadership. He's recovering from an Achilles injury. Hicks figures to be an immediate backup and potential future starter. Goode is coming off injury and could contribute on special teams. Jones was signed for depth and special teams. Acho man is very cool but he'll have an uphill battle to make the team. Hepburn was on the team's practice squad last season.

Safety

1) Malcolm Jenkins

2) Jaylen Watkins

3) Earl Wolff

4) Chris Maragos

5) Chris Prosinski

6) Jerome Couplin

Boy, is this position thin or what?

Jenkins is the only clear starter. Watkins reportedly added weight to prepare to play safety. Wolff is recovering from injury. Maragos and Prosinski are special teams contributors. The Eagles stole Couplin off Detroit's practice squad late last season so maybe they see some potential in him. Note that there are some cornerbacks on the Eagles roster who could also play safety (Eric Rowe, for example).

Cornerback

1) Byron Maxwell

2) Brandon Boykin

3) Eric Rowe

4) Walter Thurmond

5) Nolan Carroll

6) E.J. Biggers

7) JaCorey Shepherd

8) Randall Evans

9) Denzel Rice

Maxwell was the team's big signing in free agency. It's unclear who will start opposite of him. Chip Kelly said Boykin will get a chance to start but it seems more likely he could be traded. Kelly seemed to indicate Rowe will start out at corner. Thurmond could play at nickel if Boykin is moved. Carroll is the dime linebacker. Biggers provides veteran depth and could potentially get a look at safety. Shepherd and Evans can provide good depth and potentially be future contributors. Rice is likely an extra body for the summer.