Checking in on the Eagles’ 2018 rookies after eight games

Let’s check in on the Philadelphia Eagles’ 2018 NFL Draft class and undrafted rookie free agent signings now that the season is halfway over.

2018 NFL Draft picks

DALLAS GOEDERT

Stats: 340 snaps (254 offense and 86 special teams), 21 targets, 18 receptions, 188 yards (10.4 average), 3 touchdowns, 1 special teams tackle

Review: After having a strong summer, the Eagles’ 2018 second-round pick hasn’t been incredibly productive in term of volume stats. But honestly, that’s to be expected. As we’ve been saying all along, rookie tight ends typically don’t just come into the league and dominate right away. BGN’s own Michael Kist’s stat projection for Goedert coming into this season was 42 targets, 30 receptions, 350 yards, and 5 touchdowns. If Goedert can keep his current pace up, he should finish the year around those marks. And that’d be a very good season. With Zach Ertz dominating on a weekly basis, the Eagles don’t need Goedert to eat up a ton of volume. They just need him to be efficient and he has been; 10 of his 18 receptions have gone for first downs or touchdowns. The fact that Goedert is showing makings of a good blocker is a great bonus. Overall, Goedert is looking like a good pick at No. 49 overall, especially when you consider the Eagles were able to trade back from No. 32 overall and pick up Baltimore’s 2019 second-round pick before still landing him.

AVONTE MADDOX

Stats: 393 snaps (269 defense and 124 special teams), 16 tackles, 1 interception, 1 pass defensed, 1 forced fumble, 1 tackle for loss, 3 special teams tackles

Review: Maddox struggled during spring practices but he came on late in training camp to push Sidney Jones for the starting job at nickel corner. Maddox began the season mostly playing special teams but Rodney McLeod’s season-ending injury, combined with Corey Graham’s struggles, forced the rookie into action at a position he’d never played before in his life prior. Considering what the Eagles are asking of him, Maddox has been pretty impressive. His forced fumble in the Jaguars matchup was a huge momentum play that really turned that game (and possibly the season?) around. It remains to be seen if safety will Maddox’s long-term position. There’s plenty of time to figure that out down the road. For now, Maddox is an important contributor to Philadelphia’s secondary. There’s a lot of room for improvement but the kid looks like he can play.

JOSH SWEAT

Stats: 35 snaps (19 defense and 16 special teams), 1 tackle

Review: Sweat began the season as the fifth player in the Eagles’ defensive end rotation behind Derek Barnett, Brandon Graham, Michael Bennett, and Chris Long. With Barnett out, Sweat is now the fourth guy. But if the Eagles’ Week 8 game was any indication, Sweat isn’t necessarily going to see a big boost in playing time moving forward. Sweat only played four defensive snaps against Jacksonville in Week 8. It seems like the coaching staff doesn’t really trust him.

MATT PRYOR

Stats: 0 snaps

Review: Pryor drew some early buzz in camp but that cooled off as he struggled in preseason games. Pryor hasn’t been active for a single Eagles game this year despite the fact the team has had some offensive line injuries.

JORDAN MAILATA

Stats: 0 snaps

Review: The Australian sensation hasn’t played this year but he did manage to be active for the Eagles versus Panthers game since Philadelphia had to fill their game day inactives with six players who were too unhealthy to suit up. It’s pretty impressive that Mailata went from being a 21-year-old who had no idea how to even play the sport to this rookie with intriguing long-term potential. Maybe he can actually be Jason Peters’ eventual replacement?

UNDRAFTED ROOKIE FREE AGENTS

JOSH ADAMS

Stats: 67 snaps (36 offense and 31 special teams), 20 rushing attempts, 107 yards (5.4 average), 0 touchdowns, 1 target, 1 reception, 6 receiving yards

Review: Adams began the season on the practice squad but only spent a couple weeks there before being called up to the 53-man roster. Adams logged six carries during his NFL debut in Week 3 but then only saw one touch in the next three weeks combined. Adams’ usage has gone up in the last two games as he’s touched the ball 14 times. Outside of a near-fumble in Week 8 that could’ve been extremely costly, Adams has done well with his chances. He’s easily been the Eagles’ most efficient runner in Philadelphia’s last two games. It’s hard to expect Adams to suddenly become the Eagles’ workhorse back but he should continue to get opportunities if he’s going to be productive.

BRUCE HECTOR

Stats: 69 snaps (51 defense and 18 special teams), 1 tackle, 1 QB hit, 0.5 sacks

Review: Hector has seen a nice amount of playing time for an undrafted rookie who’s bounced on and off the roster this season. Hector is currently on the practice squad after getting demoted in favor of Trevon Hester. Hector figures to remain there barring future injuries.

CHANDON SULLIVAN

Stats: 2 special teams snaps

Review: Sullivan earned his spot on the practice squad with a good showing in training camp and preseason games. The Eagles recently promoted him to the 53-man roster to give them more corner depth and help on special teams.

JOE OSTMAN

Review: Ostman has been on the Eagles’ practice squad since they formed it leading up to Week 1. Developmental pass rusher.

ASANTAY BROWN

Review: The Eagles brought Brown back to the practice squad after the Cardinals signed Joe Walker away in mid-September.

OVERALL

To recap: the Eagles drafted five players. All five of them are currently on the active roster. One of them is a starter in the secondary. One is an efficient offensive role player. One is a reserve defensive lineman. Two are reserve offensive lineman. Two undrafted rookies are currently on the 53-man roster and one is a rotational running back.

Overall, the Eagles aren’t getting a TON of impact out of their rookie class. But they’re not getting nothing, either.