Over the past two NFL Draft classes, Philadelphia Eagles general manager Howie Roseman has spent significant resources on developing a disruptive two-deep along the defensive line’s interior.
Jalen Carter, the Eagles’ No. 9 overall pick last spring, is on his way to becoming a top Defensive Rookie of the Year candidate, while Jordan Davis is becoming a run-stopping behemoth one year after being selected No. 13 overall.
The recent selections of Carter and Davis from the University of Georgia highlight Roseman and the Eagles’ organizational philosophy of prioritizing dominance along both lines of scrimmage. These two picks also allow the team to keep two key contributors on team-friendly rookie contracts for the first five years of their careers.\
Meanwhile, the emergence of Carter and Davis could allow Roseman and the Eagles to move on from veteran All-Pro Fletcher Cox and his high-priced contract in order to continue building out the roster elsewhere.
That’s exactly what former NFL Executive of the Year Jeff Diamond suggests the Eagles do, naming Cox as one of 12 players in the league who could be let go at the end of the season.
“Philadelphia Eagles GM Howie Roseman is a master of using voidable deals to keep aging stars,” Diamond wrote for the 33rd Team. “And the Eagles end up with $28.3 million in cap space in 2024.” I’m sure he’d like to keep 2012 first-round pick Fletcher Cox as a team leader for the foreseeable future.
“In the previous two first-round picks, the Eagles selected defensive tackles Jordan Davis and Jalen Carter. That means Cox is unlikely to be re-signed if he expects anything close to the $10 million he’s currently being paid.”
Cox is a respected veteran presence on the Eagles defense, has a Super Bowl ring on his finger, and is having a productive season, having already recorded 24 total tackles, four sacks, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery through 12 games.
“Cox is still a productive player,” writes Diamond. “And, like Calais Campbell, he’ll be signed elsewhere as a rotational defensive lineman.” If Cox agrees to a significant pay cut, it could happen in Philadelphia. But, with Cox turning 33 next week, it’s time for Davis (2.5 sacks, 32 tackles) and Carter (4.0 sacks, 26 tackles) to take over as the Eagles’ long-term defensive tackle starters.”
Fletcher Cox Urges Eagles Leadership to ‘Step Up’
One year after racing to the top of the NFC and into the Super Bowl, the Eagles are suddenly facing major adversity.
After losing to the Dallas Cowboys, the Eagles fell from first place in the conference and first place in the NFC East to fifth place with four games remaining.
The Eagles need their veterans to steady the ship after losing two straight games to the Cowboys and the San Francisco 49ers, teams they could face as late as the NFC Championship Game.
“I’ve been a part of teams where the dudes in the locker room do something about it, and I’ve been a part of teams where it kind of crumbles,” Cox said, according to Martin Frank of the Delaware News Journal. “Now it’s time to see the real leadership and the real players, the guys that are elite on this team, myself included, step up and do something about it and get this team another win.”
Cox and the Eagles will try to get back on track against the Seattle Seahawks on Monday night.
Eagles are dealing with a major problem.
If the Eagles are to turn things around, starting with the Seahawks, some significant offensive changes may be required.
Slow starts have plagued the Eagles recently, and it may be necessary to make significant structural changes.
The Eagles are “averaging just 6.3 points in the first half over their last three games, which ranks 28th,” according to ESPN’s Tim McManus. Meanwhile, their average second-half scoring (14.7 PPG) over that time period (14.1) is near the top of the league.”
According to ESPN, quarterback Jalen Hurts has also been missing throws in recent weeks, ranking 25th in wide-open throw percentage (20%).
Finding new ways to open up secondary receiving options or get Hurts into a rhythm early on could be critical to the Eagles salvaging their season.
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