3 Philadelphia Eagles
CARSON WENTZ has that rare, Roethlisberger- ian ability to extend a play without breaking down its structure. We'll see him do that even more in 2017. Last year the Eagles just wanted their rookie QB to make completions, so they called a lot of quick-strike throws, which Wentz, when he was comfortable, executed well. With an expanded understanding of the NFL game and of DOUG PEDERSON'S offense, an improved receiving corps and more trust in his line, Wentz will approach top 10 QB status before long.
• There's no need to be concerned about how ALSHON JEFFERY, signed from the Bears, will fit in in an offense that is structured around misdirection concepts, quick underneath throws and the occasional downfield route combination. Last season the Eagles asked Dorial Green-Beckham to fill the role that they are now handing to Jeffery. Both receivers have the same rare combination of size and speed, but Jeffery actually knows how to use it. Defenses should be on high alert for dig routes from Jeffery while speedy free-agent pickup TORREY SMITH runs go routes.
• Three things to know about Philadelphia's O-line: 1) Right tackle LANE JOHNSON is critical. When he's in—he missed 10 games last year for a performance-enhancing drug suspension—Wentz is much more comfortable; 2) Left tackle JASON PETERS is declining athletically, but the team believes the 35-year-old, three-time All-Pro can gut out at least one more quality season; and 3) Center JASON KELCE is great on the move, but lacks the strength to battle in traffic. Defenses will exploit this by deploying a nosetackle against him.
• Philly's defensive line depth and versatility are fantastic. Veteran free-agent pickup CHRIS LONG can be a first- and second-down end, allowing first-round rookie DEREK BARNETT from Tennessee to focus solely on situational pass rushing. Former Raven TIMMY JERNIGAN provides a second interior gap-shooting presence alongside FLETCHER COX. And Cox can actually line up at end sometimes, while BRANDON GRAHAM and VINNY CURRY (both excellent pass rushers) slide inside. The only negative is the loss of tackle Bennie Logan, who signed with the Chiefs. He'll be missed in run defense.
"WITH AN IMPROVED RECEIVING CORPS, WENTZ WILL APPROACH TOP 10 STATUS BEFORE LONG."
SI'S 2017 PREDICTION
8-8
2016 RECORD 7-9
SEPT. 10
AT WAS
Sept. 17
AT KC
SEPT. 24
VS. NYG
OCT. 1
AT LAC
OCT. 8
VS. ARI
OCT. 12
THURSDAY
AT CAR
OCT. 23
MONDAY
VS. WAS
OCT. 29
VS. SF
NOV. 5
VS. DEN
BYE
NOV. 19
AT DAL
NOV. 26
VS. CHI
DEC. 3
AT SEA
DEC. 10
AT LAR
DEC. 17
AT NYG
DEC. 25
MONDAY
VS. OAK
DEC. 31
VS. DAL
Position Rankings
QB
16
SKILL
21
OL
12
FRONT 7
17
DBs
21
Weakness
ANDY BENOIT'S 400 MMQB ON.SI.COM/400
26 FLETCHER COX DT
84 LANE JOHNSON T
89 ALSHON JEFFERY WR
98 BRANDON GRAHAM DE
110 MALCOLM JENKINS FS
129 RODNEY MCLEOD FS
202 CARSON WENTZ QB
231 VINNY CURRY DE
270 RONALD DARBY CB
284 JASON PETERS T
340 TIMMY JERNIGAN DT
352 DARREN SPROLES RB
359 JORDAN HICKS LB
380 ZACH ERTZ TE
397 BRENT CELEK TE