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Tag: DeVante Parker

  • From DeVante Parker Retiring to John Ross Signed – Philadelphia Sports Nation

    From DeVante Parker Retiring to John Ross Signed – Philadelphia Sports Nation

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    It’s not an Eagles offseason without a weekly dose of roster moves.

    DeVante Parker’s 2-Month Stint In Philly

    The series of events started on Monday when news of DeVante Parker’s retirement broke. Suddenly, the Eagles were down a receiver.

    Signed on the 2nd day of free agency, Parker was the 1st of 4 receivers acquired by the Eagles this offseason, including:

    • Parris Campbell
    • Ainias Smith
    • Johnny Wilson

    There were mixed reviews when Parker was initially signed by the Eagles. He may have torched the Eagles in 2019, but he wasn’t that Miami receiver anymore. He barely scraped by the 500-yard mark in 2021 and 2022. Parker didn’t eclipse 400 on the 2023 Patriots.

    While their QB carousel provided no real chance for receivers, there was an interesting stat that may not have helped Parker’s case.

    Even coming to Philadelphia as competition for WR3/4, this didn’t bode well for Parker’s case to make the team, which had the Eagles in familiar territory to last season.

    Myles Jack’s 2 Week Stint In Philly

    On August 6th, 2023, just days before the Eagles first preseason game. They signed Myles Jack and Zach Cunningham to 1-year deals. Adding two players to the Linebacker core that had yet to sign Shaq Leonard and still had a healthy Nakobe Dean. Things were looking good for the Philly Defense.

    It was exactly two weeks later that Myles Jack announced his retirement, leaving the Eagles without a depth linebacker they could have used.

    However, Jack’s retirement was shortened. Exactly three months later, on November 20th, the Steelers signed Myles Jack to their practice squad. He may not have played until December, but he could have been a useful piece for the Eagles’ struggling defense down the stretch.

    Quickly Filling Holes, Eagles Add John Ross

    The Eagles were going to need to move on from Quez Watkins after the disastrous season from the WR3. Seeing Olamide Zaccheaus and Julio Jones not be re-signed wasn’t the best result.

    But bringing in four receivers while bolstering the Tight End depth they’ve needed for multiple seasons is a welcome change to Kellen Moore’s new offense.

    In the wake of DeVante Parker’s retirement, the Eagles didn’t let the week end before signing a contract for their OTAs, which resume on Tuesday.

    While Ross might not have played for the last 3 seasons, that might be the least of the Eagles’ worries. If former Colt Parris Campbell can return to his Indy form, there’s only need for a WR4 on the Eagles roster.

    This provides Ross, Smith, Wilson, and Ngata with plenty of competition for that final spot. And this is all before we get to any potential trade deadline targets in October!

    Of all the players still vying for that final receiver spot.
    Who do you have making the Eagles roster at the end of the offseason?

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    Tyler L’Heureux

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  • 3 Weeks From The Draft. Who Might The Eagles Take With Pick #22 – Philadelphia Sports Nation

    3 Weeks From The Draft. Who Might The Eagles Take With Pick #22 – Philadelphia Sports Nation

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    With three weeks until the NFL draft.
    Rosters are beginning to take shape and some clear picks are beginning to show.

    With the Bears, Patriots and Commanders expected to take their QBs of the future. There will be a long way to go to see who might fall to the Eagles with the 22nd overall pick.

     

    While the Eagles have recently ended the conversation whether they would trade Reddick or Sweat. Another hole has opened in the depth of the roster.

    Sure the Eagles have already signed Bryce Huff to a $51M deal and have Nolan Smith waiting in the wings after only playing 188 defensive snaps in his rookie season. Barely seeing an increase in playtime after the Eagles had waived Derek Barnett prior to their Week 11 game against Buffalo. 

    Laiatu Latu – Edge, UCLA

    Re-filling the edge-rusher position after trading away Reddick, with Brandon Graham on his final season all while not knowing what you have in Smith and Huff is probably one of the best options for the Eagles at #22. Similar to drafting Davis and Carter in lieu of Hargrave and Cox departures in the last two seasons.

    The biggest area of concern regarding Latu is from a neck injury he suffered during a preseason workout in 2020. An injury that had the University of Washington medical staff refusing to medically clear him to continue playing.

    The Eagles have had multiple instances of drafting players with this warning, including Josh Sweat and Nakobe Dean. 

    If the Eagles don’t believe that Huff and Smith are able to take over enough of the defensive snaps. Bringing in Latu could be the final piece to a new defensive line. 

    NFL.com has multiple mock drafts with Latu going to the Rams at 19 and 24, as well as the Buccaneers at 26. He might fall perfectly within the Eagles range.

     

    Kool-Aid McKinstry – CB, Alabama

    After the disastrous end to the Eagles season. It’s clear a new CB might be needed on the roster. They’ve already gone and re-signed C.J. Gardner Johnson and now brought back Avonte Maddox as well.

    James Bradberry was “part of the plan” when Howie Roseman spoke at the combine, but things can always change by September.

    There’s plenty of available Cornerbacks in this draft. From Quinyon Mitchell, Nate Wiggins, Cooper DeJean and McKinstry are all projected to go in the late 1st round per NFL.com’s mock drafts. 

    Much like Latu. The Eagles may have to look at trading up if they wanted to go after Mitchell in the draft. However, if they wanted to move back in the 1st, McKinstry could be available past 22nd. Allowing the Eagles to regain assets later in the draft.

    With Bradberry and Slay still under contract for multiple seasons. The Eagles should be looking to drafting their predecessors like they have on the defensive line. Unless Eli Ricks or Kelee Ringo have breakout sophomore seasons, a long-term solution needs to be put in place alongside Reed Blankenship and Sydney Brown in the secondary. McKinstry could be that answer, and could even allow them to trade Bradberry before the start of the season. Rumors have swirled about the Eagles landing Surtain from the Broncos, but I’d prefer to draft and acquire a starting caliber player still on a rookie deal.

     

     

    No Offensive Picks?

    The offence may not have been able to score at will last season. But the Eagles defense hemorrhaged yards and points beyond belief last year. Was it all on coaching?

    The Eagles have already gone and signed Saquon Barkley, DeVante Parker, Matt Hennessy and Parris Campbell plus more additions for the offense. Taking another day one defensive pick won’t hurt an offense that recently extended two players on the offensive line. With Mailata, Dickerson and Jurgens all under contract for multiple years. There’s multiple options for the Eagles to find a Right Guard late in the draft if Steen hasn’t won the starters spot.

    The Eagles will still have 7 draft picks following the 22nd pick. Where they’ve been able to make successful picks in the later rounds, including 2 more picks in the the top 60.

     

    Who do you have the Eagles drafting in the 1st round?

     

     

     

     

    Photo Credit: Gary A. Vasquez / USA Today Sports

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  • Hurts, McKee, Pickett & Grier! The QB Factory Is Back! – Philadelphia Sports Nation

    Hurts, McKee, Pickett & Grier! The QB Factory Is Back! – Philadelphia Sports Nation

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    The Eagles have acquired their 2nd Quarterback of the free agency period.

    While they had to trade a pair of 2025 7th round picks and drop from 98th to the 120th pick in this years draft when acquiring Pickett from Pittsburgh last week.

    It was only a day later when the Steelers announced they had traded a 2025 6th round pick for Bears QB Justin Fields. Some had wanted the Eagles to pursue Fields as an Eagles backup. However, with only 1 year under contract before a $25.6M 5th-year option (which the Eagles would most likely not pick up).

    Going after Pickett for 2 years with only $4.6M guaranteed is very similar to when they traded a 2022 6th round pick for 2 years of Gardner Minshew, who only cost the Eagles $3.39M.

    With the following Quarterbacks under contract for multiple years

    • Jalen Hurts (2029)
    • Tanner McKee (2027)
    • Kenny Pickett (2027)

    You’d think they’d be done with the QB market.

     

    Until the QB factory opened its doors.

     

    4th QB On The Roster

     

    There’s nothing to blow out of proportion with the Eagles signing Will Grier. Who will most likely be the 4th QB on the depth chart.

    After Grier spent 2 seasons in Dallas he found himself signed to the Chargers practice squad last December, ending up with Eagles new OC Kellen Moore again. Moore is probably the biggest reason why the Eagles made this move. Bringing in a familiar face for a new system, and will bring competition to both Tanner McKee and Kenny Pickett.

     

    Long Way Till Final Roster Cuts

    Much like the Eagles signing of DeVante Parker, there’s no guarantee we’ll see Grier make it through 53-man roster cuts and could end up on the practice squad. So there’s no reason to overreact to the Eagles weekend signing. We’re a long way from the August deadline.

     

    With the additions of LB Oren Burks, DT P.J. Mustipher, CB Tyler Hall, WR Parris Campbell, between the QB moves this week. The Eagles depth chart is being rounded out with over a month until the 2024 Draft, where the Eagles still hold three picks in the top 55. And have previously made outstanding moves in the draft, including last years Day 3 trade for D’Andre Swift.

     

    As we inch closer and closer to April 25th, who do you expect the Eagles to announce with the 22nd overall pick?

     

     

    Photo Credit: Tim Heitman / USA Today Sports

     

     

     

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