It has been a mixed bag so far this season for Howie Roseman.
On one hand, ironically, his draft picks from the past few seasons have been great. DeVonta Smith, Kenny Gainwell, Jack Driscoll, Landon Dickerson, Quez Watkins and even Andre Dillard have all at one point this season played at a high level. For a team focused on the future, the improvement their young players have shown is encouraging.
On the other hand, however, Roseman's latest free agency class is turning out to be a complete disaster, and the front office missing so badly on key signings has played a big role in the team's 1-3 start.
In an attempt to fill some of the obvious holes on the roster this offseason, Roseman brought in four veterans on low-money deals — linebacker Eric Wilson, defensive end Ryan Kerrigan, safety Anthony Harris and cornerback Steven Nelson.
While Harris and Nelson have played well at times, overall the team has gotten close to nothing from that group so far this season.
The biggest miss so far from Roseman seems to be Wilson. Wilson was brought in to be a major part of the defense, expected to play nearly every down at linebacker and be the quarterback of the defense from the middle linebacker position. Wilson had experience with members of the Eagles coaching staff and was coming off of his best season in the NFL. The signing, at the time, seemed like a steal.
Instead, Wilson has been one of the worst linebackers in the NFL through four weeks both against the run and in pass coverage.
Wilson's struggles in the run, where he is struggling to get off blocks and make the correct reads, has really hurt the defense. When he has had a chance to make a play he has struggled to do so. Wilson has six missed tackles in four games, tied for third most in the NFL among linebackers. The Eagles have been shredded on the ground the last two weeks, and while it isn't all Wilson's fault, there is no question his poor play against the run has played a major role.
Wilson's struggles in coverage have also been an issue. Defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon made it clear this week that he doesn't like to play dime defense, instead preferring to keep two linebackers on the field. That puts extra pressure on the linebackers in coverage, and so far Wilson has been a liability against the pass.
While Wilson ultimately holds the blame for his poor play through four games, the fact he was put in such a key position falls on Roseman. If linebackers were going to be such a key part of the Eagles' defense, then it was up to Roseman to find better linebacker play than what was already on the roster. If Roseman felt Wilson was the answer and was ready for such a big role, then at least through the first four weeks, he seems to be very wrong.
The signing of Ryan Kerrigan, although in a much smaller role, has also been a complete disappointment.
Kerrigan has played 116 snaps so far this season. In those 116 snaps he has totaled exactly zero tackles, zero sacks, zero pass deflections and zero quarterback hits. Kerrigan's poor play would be a problem no matter where he was on the depth chart, but after losing Brandon Graham for the season, the Eagles badly need Kerrigan to step up. So far, he hasn't been able to do so.
The signings in the secondary have not been as much of a disaster, but they haven't been impact players either.
Anthony Harris' most notable moments this season have been dropping an interception against the San Francisco 49ers and being called for a pass interference penalty in the end zone to extend a drive in the same game. He is currently the 58th safety in the NFL in coverage, according to Pro Football Focus.
Of the four, Steven Nelson has been the best, as he has brought some stability to the No. 2 cornerback spot. While his numbers are not great — 196 yards and two touchdowns allowed in four games — he hasn't been burned routinely the way Eagles' cornerbacks have been in the past. He hasn't been a difference maker, but he has been solid, and the decision by Roseman to bring him in seems like it was the right one.
Overall, however, the first month has not been a pretty one for Roseman's free agency class. Yes, he didn't have much money to work with considering the team's unexpectedly bad salary cap situation, but that excuse doesn't make up for how badly it seems Roseman might have missed.
The good news for Roseman and the free agency class is that the season isn't over yet. They still have time to turn the season around and prove the general manager correct for handing them such key spots on the defense.
Whether they are able to do so will play a big factor in deciding whether the Eagles make a push for the playoffs or if they are instead looking towards the 2022 NFL Draft much sooner than expected.
You can reach Eliot Shorr-Parks on Twitter at @EliotShorrParks or email him at esp@94wip.com!
