NFL Power Rankings: Eagles getting no respect

Today is a #SlowNewsDay during a slow time of year, so let’s take a look at some various offseason NFL Power Rankings.

First up is ESPN.

21) Eagles wide receivers combined for the second-fewest yards, yards per reception and touchdowns last season. So what did the team go out and do this offseason? It got Carson Wentz some help. Welcome to Philadelphia, Alshon Jeffery and Torrey Smith.

Yes, the Eagles badly needed wide receiver help and they got it. Or at the very least, they tried. Here’s how the rest of the NFC East stacks up: 4) Cowboys, 9) Giants, 20) Washington.

Now for NFL.com.

19) The Eagles rolled the ball out there last year with Carson Wentz and the nucleus of a bad football team. Thus, Philadelphia acquired receivers Alshon Jeffery and Torrey Smith to provide someone outside who can scare opponents. Catching the football when it gets there would be nice, too. This would be an appropriate time to mention that Jordan Matthews is still in the mix. Between the upgraded receiver corps and tight end Zach Ertz, this Eagles offense should be far more formidable in 2017. Now, will the Ryan Mathews/ Darren Sproles combo platter be the answer on the ground, or does Philly use the draft to fill out RB?

No surprise here, another blurb a note about the wide receivers. But we already know Mathews isn’t part of the answer here. The Eagles are expected to cut him when he’s healthy. Philadelphia will almost definitely draft at least one running back. Rest of the NFC East: 5) Giants, 7) Cowboys, 15) Washington.

And finally, Pete Prisco put together rankings for CBS.

25 - They got Carson Wentz some weapons in Alshon Jeffrey and Torrey Smith. That will help get the offense cranked up in 2017.

Geez, Pete. 25? The only teams worse in the CBS rankings include: the Bills, Jaguars, Rams, Bears, 49ers, Jets, and Browns. Rest of the NFC East: 7) Giants, 8) Cowboys, 19) Washington.

Now for a look at each NFC East team’s average ranking:

1 - Cowboys (6.4)
2 - Giants (7)
3 - Washington (18)
4 - Eagles (21.7)

As you can see, the Eagles aren’t getting much love from the power rankers. In a way, I get it. Philadelphia went 7-9 and finished last in the division last season. The Birds addressed the wide receiver position but they still have big needs on defense, particularly at corner.

But I don’t know. I think these outlets are sleeping on the Eagles a little too much. I think they’re closer to average than they are closer to being a bad team. Allow to remind you for the billionth time that the 2016 Eagles ranked ninth in point differential, seventh in turonver differential, and fourth in DVOA. I’m not saying this means they were an awesome team, but they aren’t as bad as some make them out to be. I’d probably rank the Eagles No. 18 or so if I made my own power rankings right now.

Elsewhere around the division, the Cowboys’ ranking and Washington’s ranking seem accurate. Dallas is obviously coming off a strong year but they lost a number of players in free agency. They have some holes to fill. As for Washington, they’ve been a total mess this offseason. They deserve to be ahead of the Eagles for now but they could easily be headed on the way down.

The Giants are getting wayyyyyy too much hype here. The Brandon Marshall signing was good for them, yes, but last time I checked he still needs someone to throw the ball to him. And let’s face it: Eli Manning, who turned 36 this offseason, wasn’t very good last year. He ranked 22nd in passer rating, 25th in yards per attempt, and tied for the fourth most interceptions thrown. There’s no denying the 2016 Giants’ defense was very good, but their offense was abysmal. New York put up the sixth fewest offensive points per game last season. The Eagles had a better point differential and turnover differential than them. The Giants wouldn’t be in my top 10, let alone my top five.

So what do you think of how the Eagles stack up in these rankings: too high, too low, or just right?