<
>

Philadelphia Eagles have Carson Wentz well-armed entering Year 2

The Philadelphia Eagles ended their offseason program on June 15. Here's a look at how they fared:

Offseason goals/grade: The Eagles' primary objective was to provide quarterback Carson Wentz with the necessary tools to be successful. They overhauled the receiver position by signing Alshon Jeffery and Torrey Smith in free agency and drafting UNC's Mack Hollins and West Virginia's Shelton Gibson in the middle rounds this past April. Running back LeGarrette Blount, coming off an 18-touchdown season in New England, was added to the backfield, and the offensive line depth was bolstered. On paper, they did well by their young signal-caller. Grade: B

Move I liked: Signing Blount to a one-year, $1.25 million contract. Playing for the world-champion Patriots last season, he set career highs in carries (299), yards (1,161) and rushing touchdowns (18). At 6-feet, 250 pounds, he adds power to a backfield that features two smaller backs in Darren Sproles (5-foot-6, 190 pounds) and rookie Donnel Pumphrey (5-foot-8, 169 pounds). The 30-year-old Blount should be an asset, particularly in short-yardage and goal-line situations.

Move I didn’t like: The Eagles parted ways with both starting cornerbacks from a year ago, and it's questionable whether they did enough to successfully fill the void. Sidney Jones, their second-round pick, could be excellent eventually but is still recovering from an Achilles injury that has him sidelined indefinitely. That leaves fellow rookie Rasul Douglas, second-year player Jalen Mills, the newly-signed Patrick Robinson and others to carry the load in a division that is filled with quality wide receivers.

Biggest question still to be answered in training camp: How quickly can Wentz build chemistry with his new skill-position players? Though there is no question the Eagles needed to add weapons, particularly at wide receiver, there is a learning curve involved anytime a quarterback and a new target are working together for the first time. There were some positive signs this spring, but it's going to take time for Wentz, Jeffery and Smith to iron out the wrinkles. Once training camp starts, it becomes a race against the clock ticking towards opening day.

Salary-cap space: $1,294,518 (source: Overthecap.com)

2018 draft picks: 1. DE Derek Barnett (Tennessee), 2. CB Sidney Jones (Washington), 3. CB Rasul Douglas (West Virginia), 4. WR Mack Hollins (UNC), 4. RB Donnel Pumphrey (San Diego State), 5. WR Shelton Gibson (West Virginia), 5. LB Nathan Gerry (Nebraska), 6. DT Elijah Qualls (Washington)

Undrafted rookie free agents signed: RB Corey Clement (Wisconsin), DT Winston Craig (Richmond), QB Jerod Evans (Virginia Tech), CB Randall Goforth (UCLA), P Cameron Johnston (Ohio State), C Tyler Orlosky (West Virginia), S Tre Sullivan (Shepherd), DT Charles Walker (Oklahoma), WR Greg Ward (Houston), CB Jomal Wiltz (Iowa State)

Unrestricted free agents signed: WR Torrey Smith, WR Alshon Jeffery, G Chance Warmack, G/C Stefen Wisniewski, QB Nick Foles, DE Chris Long, CB Patrick Robinson, RB LeGarrette Blount, QB Matt McGloin

Restricted free agents signed: Extended a second-round tender to TE Trey Burton.

Players acquired via trade: Acquired DT Tim Jernigan and a 2017 third-round pick (99th overall) from Baltimore for a 2017 third-round pick (74th overall).