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Here’s a thought experiment ahead of Super Bowl LIV: if the Eagles could steal ONE player from the Kansas City Chiefs OR the San Francisco 49ers, who would you most like to see added to Philadelphia’s roster?
The answer that immediately jumps out is Patrick Mahomes. And that’s not a slight to Carson Wentz. It’s just that Mahomes is an unreal talent who won MVP in 2018 by throwing for 50 friggin touchdowns. His career regular season passer rating is 108.9. His playoff passer rating is 115.0 after throwing 11 touchdowns to zero interceptions thus far. Mahomes only turns 25 in September while Wentz turns 28 in December. Not to mention Mahomes’ injury history is shorter than Wentz’s.
Of course, Mahomes’ supporting cast has been MUCH better than what the Eagles have had over the past couple seasons. KC’s offense is literally THE fastest in the league (per NFL Next Gen Stats) while Philadelphia’s has to be one of the slowest. I’d like to see what Wentz could do if he had the dynamic offensive talent that Mahomes has had around him.
Poll
Which quarterback would you rather have starting for the Eagles?
This poll is closed
-
32%
Carson Wentz
(740 votes) -
67%
Patrick Mahomes
(1561 votes)
But let’s look beyond the obvious Mahomes answer in order to familiarize ourselves more with the two Super Bowl teams.
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
OFFENSE
- Tyreek Hill is one of the most explosive athletes in the NFL. He has 16 yards per reception and 26 touchdowns over the past three seasons. His skill set is exactly what Philly’s offense has been missing. Off-field issues connected to domestic violence and child abuse, however, are a real deterrent.
- Mecole Hardman logged 20.7 yards per reception as a rookie. The Chiefs traded up directly ahead of the Eagles’ second second-round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft to select him. The Eagles ended up taking JJ Arcega-Whiteside. It’s tough to say which player is more desirable but I’ll lean with Hardman.
- No one’s taking Demarcus Robinson’s talent over Hill or Hardman but it’s worth noting he’s actually a free agent his offseason. Former Florida guy who was actually one of the Eagles’ 30 pre-draft visits back in 2016. He could be on Howie Roseman’s radar.
- The Eagles are already set at tight end with Zach Ertz and Dallas Goedert but having Travis Kelce on the same team as his brother Jason would be fun.
- I’m sure some would like to see LeSean McCoy back in an Eagles jersey for nostalgia’s sake.
DEFENSE
- Chris Jones would be a stellar addition next to Fletcher Cox. He’ll actually be a free agent this offseason, too, though KC can just tag him. And he’ll be out of the Eagles’ price range anyway.
- Tyrann Mathieu, who’s only 27, would be a nice addition to the secondary with Rodney McLeod set to be a free agent and Malcolm Jenkins demanding a raise. The Honey Badger would fill a need.
- Juan Thornhill is on injured reserve but the rookie safety started all 16 regular season games and had three interceptions, including one returned for a defensive touchdown. Thornhill was drafted six picks after JJAW. Sigh.
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS
OFFENSE
- If you’re all about #QBWinz, well, Jimmy Garoppolo is 21-5 as a starter with a 100.0 career passer rating. Jimmy G is 2-0 as a playoff starter so far with an 83.6 passer rating on just 27 throwing attempts. The 49ers won the NFC Championship Game with their starting quarterback only having to throw eight times, which is crazy. I don’t think Jimmy G is bad but I’m still not fully sold on him. I’m not taking him over Wentz.
Poll
Which quarterback would you rather have starting for the Eagles?
This poll is closed
-
95%
Carson Wentz
(2068 votes) -
4%
Jimmy Garoppolo
(98 votes)
- No disrespect to Ertz or Goedert but George Kittle would be the Eagles’ best tight end. He’s more much athletic and dynamic after the catch.
- Former Eagles running back Raheem Mostert has been fun to watch. The Eagles are already set with Miles Sanders but having both him and Mostert would be even funner.
- Deebo Samuel is one of the many rookie wide receivers from 2019 who thrived. He went off the board between the Eagles’ first-round pick at No. 22 and their first second-round pick at No. 53.
- The 49ers traded for Emmanuel Sanders ahead of the in-season deadline. He’s a good player who the Eagles could use in a given game but the soon-to-be 33-year-old wouldn’t be a long-term answer for Philly.
- Dying to see the Eagles employ a fullback? Kyle Juszczyk has been a Pro Bowl player at his position since 2016.
- How about bringing Jordan Matthews for a fourth stint on the Eagles? How about not!
DEFENSE
- Take your pick from the 49ers’ defensive line. Arik Armstead, who will be a free agent in March, had 10 sacks. Nick Bosa had nine as a 22-year-old rookie. DeForest Buckner had 7.5 this season after posting 12.5 in 2018. The Eagles could afford to have a deeper and more talented group of pass rushers. Stealing one of these guys would be nice.
- Jimmie Ward, who turns 29 in July, could be a free agent safety for the Eagles to consider depending on what happens with Jenkins and/or McLeod.
- The Eagles will need a new starting middle linebacker if/when they move on from Nigel Bradham. Fred Warner is pretty good. Kwon Alexander’s talented, too.
YOUR PICK
Who are you taking?
Poll
Which player would you steal from the 2020 Super Bowl teams to add to the Eagles?
This poll is closed
-
38%
Tyreek Hill
(954 votes) -
4%
Mecole Hardman
(104 votes) -
0%
Demarcus Robinson
(3 votes) -
1%
Travis Kelce
(25 votes) -
0%
LeSean McCoy
(9 votes) -
1%
Chris Jones
(44 votes) -
4%
Tyrann Mathieu
(112 votes) -
0%
Juan Thornhill
(10 votes) -
0%
Jimmy Garoppolo
(2 votes) -
1%
George Kittle
(37 votes) -
0%
Raheem Mostert
(8 votes) -
4%
Deebo Samuel
(111 votes) -
0%
Emmanuel Sanders
(3 votes) -
0%
Kyle Juszczyk
(6 votes) -
0%
Arik Armstead
(18 votes) -
39%
Nick Bosa
(964 votes) -
0%
DeForest Buckner
(21 votes) -
0%
Jimmie Ward
(3 votes) -
0%
Fred Warner
(11 votes) -
0%
Kwon Alexander
(10 votes)