With OTAs underway and training camp much close than you would think, here is a look at where things stand with the Eagles' defensive ends after free agency and the draft.
Starters: Brandon Graham, Derek Barnett
Depth: Vinny Curry, Chris Long, Josh Sweat, Shareef Miller, Joe Ostman, Daeshon Hall
Overall: Eagles top personnel executive Howie Roseman values three positions above all others — quarterback, offensive line and defensive line. You can argue which he values more, linemen along the offensive side of the ball or the defensive line.
What you can't argue is that the way he has handled the defensive end position this offseason is confusing.
For a position Roseman values so much, and has been huge in the team's success the last three seasons, the Eagles currently have a ton of questions at the position. Graham is the best defensive end on the roster, and even after a down season last year, should give the team borderline elite-level play at the position. Graham is excellent at getting after the quarterback and is very good against the run. He is the only sure thing the Eagles have at defensive end.
Starting opposite Graham will be Barnett, a starting job he was handed as opposed to earning. Barnett played well last season prior to being injured, but missed 10 games due to a shoulder injury. Through 21 games in his career he has 7.5 sacks, solid but not spectacular production. The Eagles handing Barnett the starting job and the snaps that come with it might have cost them Chris Long, who has played better than Barnett has over the last two seasons, but likely won't be back because he isn't pleased with the role the Eagles say he will have if he does.
The potential loss of Long is a big one, as not only does it put big-time pressure on Barnett, but it means the Eagles have to get solid production out of Sweat, Miller or Curry. Curry is coming off of a down season in Tampa Bay, totaling just 24 quarterback pressures in 261 pass-rushing snaps. Sweat and Miller both have upside, but at this point it is unknown if they can even play in the NFL, let alone be productive.
While quarterbacks have grabbed the headlines the last two seasons, the Eagles have won as much as they have because of the pressure they have gotten on opposing quarterbacks. The defensive tackle should pick up some of the load in rushing the passer, but the Eagles are in danger next season of having the worst set of defensive ends they have had in years.
Grade: C+
You can reach Eliot Shorr-Parks on Twitter at @EliotShorrParks or email him at esp@94wip.com!
