PHILADELPHIA – As the Philadelphia Eagles pivot from free agency to focusing on the NFL draft, here’s a look at the state of the roster.
Last week, we covered the offense:
This week, we’re turning to the defensive side of the ball. Head coach Doug Pederson said he will let defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz run the defense. Already, the Eagles have started adding players with experience in Schwartz’s scheme.
Let’s take a closer look at the defensive line.
Likely starters: DE Vinny Curry, DT Fletcher Cox, DT Bennie Logan, DE Connor Barwin/Brandon Graham.
Key moves: The Eagles signed Curry to a new, five-year contract worth $46 million, with half of that guaranteed. That contract showed a lot of commitment to a guy who had been a poor fit for three years in the Eagles’ 3-4 defense.
With Schwartz switching back to a 4-3 scheme, there will be a spot for Curry to start. He will likely be the starting left end in Schwartz’s scheme. He will have to deal with defending the run more than he did in the 3-4, but he will also have plenty of opportunities to rush the passer.
Schwartz’s impact: The 4-3 scheme Schwartz utilizes will line the defensive ends out wide. Their primary responsibility will be to rush the passer.
Barwin and Graham, who played outside linebacker in the 3-4, will serve as defensive ends in Schwartz’s defense. Both have experience there.
Barwin began his career as an end in 2009 with the Houston Texans. He moved to linebacker when the Texans switched to a 3-4 scheme under Wade Phillips in 2011. Given less responsibility to drop into pass coverage, Barwin should be able to pressure quarterbacks and set the edge against the run.
Graham was the Eagles’ first-round pick in the 2010 draft. He played defensive end for three seasons before Chip Kelly brought his 3-4 scheme to Philadelphia in 2013. Graham moved to linebacker, but didn’t start until last season. He finished with a career-high 6.5 sacks. Graham should be able to switch back to end without much difficulty.
The most interesting change to watch will involve Cox. He played very well as an end in the Eagles’ 3-4 scheme. Freed from the responsibilities of tying up blockers, he should be allowed to wreak havoc in Schwartz’s defense.
Logan, a solid run defender in the 3-4, should have more room to operate playing alongside Cox in the 4-3.
In the pipeline: There isn’t much in the way of depth beyond the starters. They are being repositioned in the 4-3 defense. Players such as defensive ends Brandon Bair and Cedric Thornton didn’t really fit and are gone. Thornton signed with the Dallas Cowboys; Bair was released.
It will be interesting to see if defensive tackle Beau Allen is able to make the move to a 4-3 scheme. Same with end Taylor Hart, who drew praise from Kelly’s staff, but had little impact.
The most enigmatic figure is Marcus Smith, the 2014 first-round draft pick who had little impact in two seasons as an outside linebacker. Smith is listed as a defensive end now. Can he make the adjustment? Time will tell.
Draft outlook: Howie Roseman, the executive vice president of football operations, said this draft is especially rich in defensive linemen. Given the square pegs left over to fill the round holes in Schwartz’s defense, expect the Eagles to try to pick up a defensive lineman or two in this year’s draft.
They can only draft one player with the No. 8 overall pick, of course. And they don’t have a second-round pick. So Roseman will have to look for a solid defensive lineman in the third or fourth rounds.