Dynasty Capsule: Philadelphia Eagles
As part of the premium content package, we’re again unveiling dynasty capsules for every team in the NFL leading up to free agency and the NFL Draft. This year, we’re again going to do a follow-up on all the teams after all the free agency and NFL Draft movement to assess the impact of any players teams have gained or lost. Since these capsules are always done as a simple snapshot in time, we figured that was the best way to tackle the off-season and provide ultimate value for our subscribers. All in all, we’ll have close to 500 player profiles found in these capsules over the off-season.
With some of the youngest, most talented offensive players in the league, look for the Eagles to be even more impressive in 2014. Let’s take a look at their skill positions.
Quarterbacks
Nick Foles
Foles finished 2013 as a top ten quarterback in most scoring systems despite starting the season behind Michael Vick on the Eagles’ depth chart for four games and missing another due to a concussion. He had a quarterback rating of 119.2 (best in the league), completed 64% of his passes (eighth) and sported an unbelievable 27:2 touchdown-to-interception ratio.
Naysayers like to point out Head Coach Chip Kelly was known for favoring multi-dimensional signal callers who can slash defenses both through the air and on the ground while at Oregon and that he may intend to do the same in Philadelphia. That may have been the case before 2013, but with the success Foles had in just one season under him, it would be shocking to see the Eagles bring in any type of competition at the position. The Eagles might re-sign Vick as insurance if he can’t find the opportunity to start anywhere, but it’s unlikely and clear that he’d return only as a backup.
With the kind of season he had in 2013 already under his belt at only 25 years old, the sky is the limit for Foles – especially in Kelly’s wide open offense. If the Eagles add a talented receiver opposite DeSean Jackson and the coaching staff stays in place, his upside is that of a perennial top-five fantasy quarterback who could potentially become one of the most sought after commodities in dynasty leagues.
Matt Barkley
The one thing Barkley has going for him is he’s the only one who was handpicked by Kelly. Selected with the first pick of the fourth round in last year’s draft out of USC, Barkley wasn’t expected to see the field as the clear cut third stringer behind Vick and Foles. That all went out the window when both were lost to injury during the season and he was forced into action. He completed 30 of 49 passes (61.2%) for 300 yards and no touchdowns while throwing four interceptions while displaying many of the weaknesses most rookie passers show in their first season. He was nervous in the pocket, held onto the ball too long and threw late across the middle of the field.
As of now, Barkley’s in line to be Foles’ backup in 2014, but dynasty owners shouldn’t count on that being the case in September. If the Eagles are unable to bring back Vick, they’ll surely bring in another signal caller to compete with him for the number two job. He still has upside, but he shouldn’t be counted on for anything at this point outside of being a handcuff to Foles in only the deepest two-quarterback leagues.
Running Backs
LeSean McCoy
Barry Sanders is the best running back I’ve ever seen play. To me, McCoy is the closest anybody has come to Sanders and is the only tailback currently in the league worthy of the comparison. He ran for 1,607 yards on 314 carries (5.1 yards per carry) and nine touchdowns in 2013 and added 52 receptions for 539 yards and two more scores through the air. Perhaps most importantly, he stayed healthy for all 16 games for the first time since his rookie season and handled the biggest workload of his career.
There are no signs of slowing down, either. With the very Sanders-esque ability to change directions on a dime and a fifth gear rivaled by very few (not to mention the fact he’s only 25 and plays in one of the most fast-paced offenses in the league with a coach who wants to showcase his rare abilities), it’s irresponsible to think McCoy won’t continue dominating NFL defenses and fantasy leagues.
If you’re building your dynasty team around a running back, look no further than the player they call Shady.
Bryce Brown
After having somewhat of a breakout when McCoy missed time in 2012, Brown was a disappointment in his sophomore season. He carried the ball just 75 times for 314 yards and two touchdowns and caught eight passes for 84 yards on the year.
As he did during his rookie season, Brown routinely tried to break big runs on the perimeter of the defense, even when the play design was between the tackles. He was taken down behind the line of scrimmage far too often and saw less and less playing time as the season progressed because of it.
Only getting an opportunity when McCoy asks for a breather, it’s hard to see Brown as anything more than a “ho-hum” handcuff. Some have suggested he isn’t a fit for Kelly’s offense and may find more success in another system. Personally, I think the weaknesses in his game including his unwillingness to cut up field, fumbling concerns and documented immaturity will limit his upside no matter the offense he plays in.
Chris Polk
Although Brown is no doubt the more explosive option on Philadelphia’s depth chart behind McCoy, dynasty owners shouldn’t be surprised if Polk gets the chance to handle the number two job in 2014. He’s a good between the tackles runner, an above average blocker in the passing game and Kelly praised him before the season for his ability to catch the ball, which is a must if he wants to be trusted as McCoy’s primary backup.
Overall, the backup tailback job in Philadelphia seems to be up in the air this off-season and worth monitoring for dynasty owners – especially those who have McCoy. Whichever back enters 2014 with the job is likely to have value only as a handcuff and neither has the upside to become a full-time fantasy starter.
Wide Receivers
DeSean Jackson
Jackson posted his biggest season as pro and finished the year as a WR1 in most fantasy leagues in 2013, catching 82 passes for 1,332 yards and nine touchdowns. He looked rejuvenated in Kelly’s fast paced, vertical passing game as the number one target in the offense.
When you consider he’s only 27, has Foles throwing him the ball and is signed through 2016, there’s no reason to think Jackson can’t continue to have success. He’s in the ideal offense for his skill set and as long as he keeps his head on his shoulders and doesn’t wear out his welcome with the Eagles’ coaching staff by asking for a new contract (which he’s indicated he wants since the end of the season), dynasty owners should be able to count on him to be a solid WR2 for at least a couple more seasons.
With Jeremy Maclin and Riley Cooper both headed towards free agency, it’s likely the Eagles don’t have their number two wide receiver signed at this point. Most likely, they’ll try to ink at least one of them over the coming months, but dynasty owners should keep a close eye on the situation. Whoever is in line to take a majority of the snaps opposite Jackson in 2014 will be in high demand.
Jason Avant
When Maclin went down with a season ending knee injury in training camp, many wondered if Avant would be the one to pick up the slack after coming off three consecutive 50-catch seasons. That wasn’t the case though, as he caught only 38 passes for 447 yards and two touchdowns. He turns 31 in April and is due a $1 million roster bonus on March 1. It’s questionable whether he’ll be on the roster in 2014.
Damaris Johnson
I believe Johnson, who’s listed at 5’8” and 170 pounds could take the same path as his teammate Jackson, who checks in at 5’8” and 175 pounds. He certainly didn’t enter the league with as much publicity as Jackson, but he has a very similar skill set.
Even with the injury to Maclin, Johnson was used very little on offense. He caught only two passes for 14 yards on the season and only lined up on 53 offensive plays, but he’s quick and shifty and absolutely fits the mold of what Kelly seems to want in his offense. He’ll likely need to develop for at least another year, but is worth consideration for a roster spot for those in deep dynasty leagues.
Arrelious Benn
Although he’s signed for the 2014 season, it’s unknown if Benn is a part of the Eagles’ plans for the future. He’s had two ACL surgeries in the last four years and missed the entire 2013 season. Even those in incredibly deep dynasty leagues can surely find a better option for the final wide receiver spot on their roster.
Tight End
Zach Ertz
At this point, Ertz is the tight end to own for the Eagles. Although he played fewer snaps than Celek (482 to 906), he ran nearly as many routes (248 to 319) and was targeted more (55 to 47). It’s clear Kelly values Celek as a blocking tight end and Ertz as the passing option and you really can’t blame him. Ertz is faster and has very good hands while Celek has a bigger frame and has always been considered a good blocker.
Ertz has low end TE1 potential which could be realized as early as next year. He’s a good route runner with the ability to get open down the seam and has a good catch radius. If Celek finds a new home in 2014, his snaps could nearly double and he could reach 60 catches for 800 yards and six-to-eight touchdowns.
Brent Celek
Celek’s stats weren’t that impressive in 2013. In fact, he had his worst season in five years, catching only 32 passes for 502 yards and six touchdowns. Part of that has to do with the arrival of Ertz, but another reason he was limited as a receiver was due to the limited number of routes he ran. In 2013, he ran only 319 routes although he played in all 16 of the Eagles’ games. He ran 684 routes in only 15 games in 2012 under Andy Reid and caught 57 passes for 684 yards and just one touchdown.
Indications out of Philadelphia are the Eagles intend on asking Celek to take a pay cut to stay with the team. If that happens and he declines, dynasty owners should be interested in where he signs. If he ends up in Kansas City, he has the potential to be a top 15 fantasy tight end. If he’s back in Philly, he should only be relied upon to be a TE3 or TE4.
James Casey
Casey was a popular pick as a sleeper going into 2013, but it never materialized. He only caught three passes for 31 yards on the season and didn’t see the field very often. With a large cap number going into 2014, it’s questionable if he’ll be on the roster without taking a pay cut. If he’s on the team and Celek moves on, he could take over as the primary blocking tight end, but that would offer little upside to dynasty owners.
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