The Philadelphia Eagles ended their offseason program on June 15. Here’s a look at how they fared:
Offseason goals: Get quarterback Carson Wentz healthy, first and foremost. He's been trending positively in that direction. Wentz's level of participation in practice this spring came as a surprise, as he took part in individual drills and 7-on-7s by the end of the offseason program, showing off decent mobility in the process. While there are no guarantees he'll be ready for Week 1, he appears to be in a good place as he makes his way back from a torn ACL and LCL in his left knee.
The Eagles also wanted to infuse some new blood to help fend off a Super Bowl hangover. They did so by acquiring DE Michael Bennett from the Seattle Seahawks and signing WR Mike Wallace, among others.
Grade: Above average
Move I liked: Signing Wallace to a one-year, $1.9 million contract in free agency. The Eagles traded speed receiver Torrey Smith to the Carolina Panthers this offseason and brought in Wallace to replace him. It may prove to be an upgrade. While Smith was a good presence in the locker room and came up with some big plays for the Eagles, particularly in the postseason, he totaled 430 yards and two touchdowns during the regular season and was inconsistent at times. Wallace nearly doubled that production (748 yards, four TDs) as the top target for Ravens QB Joe Flacco last season. Wentz will benefit from Wallace's big-play ability.
Move I didn’t like: Letting CB Patrick Robinson walk in free agency. Robinson excelled as the team's slot corner last season. He paced the Super Bowl champs with four interceptions in the regular season, and came up with a game-altering pick-six in the NFC Championship Game against the Minnesota Vikings. Robinson was snatched away by the New Orleans Saints in March. The Eagles have some depth at corner, but it will be difficult to find someone to play the nickel role at the same level in 2018.
Biggest question still to be answered in training camp: Can the defensive line get healthy and remain a dominant force? DT Tim Jernigan is recovering from surgery to repair a herniated disc, Super Bowl hero Brandon Graham spent much of the spring in a boot following an ankle surgery, and both DE Vinny Curry and DT Beau Allen are now with the Tampa Bay Bucs. Bennett and Haloti Ngata were brought in to help fortify the front, but each are in the twilight of their careers and have dealt with injuries of their own in 2017. The defensive line was a big factor in the team's success last season, and things will have to break right to get back to that level of of play.
Quotable: "It's a great motivating factor for us to sort of rip off the dog masks and no longer be the underdog, but be the hunted, have the target on our back." -- Eagles coach Doug Pederson on shifting the mindset following their Super Bowl season
Salary-cap space: $6,094,000 (per NFLPA salary cap report).
2018 draft picks: 2. TE Dallas Goedert (South Dakota State); 4a. CB Avonte Maddox (Pittsburgh); 4b. DE Josh Sweat (Florida State); 6. OT Matt Pryor (TCU); OT Jordan Mailata (Australian rugby league)
Unrestricted free agents signed: WR Mike Wallace (Ravens); DT Haloti Ngata (Lions); TE Richard Rodgers (Packers); LB Corey Nelson (Broncos); WR Markus Wheaton (Bears); LB Paul Worrilow (Lions)
Undrafted rookie free agents signed: RB Josh Adams (Notre Dame); LB Asantay Brown (Western Michigan); OL Aaron Evans (Central Florida); DE Danny Ezechukwu (Purdue); DT Bruce Hector (South Florida); WR Anthony Mahoungou (Purdue); S Ryan Neal (Southern Illinois); DE Joe Ostman (Central Michigan); OL Ian Park (Slippery Rock); S Jeremy Reaves (South Alabama); S Stephen Roberts (Auburn); S Dominick Sanders (Georgia); CB Chandon Sullivan (Georgia State); CB Jordan Thomas (Oklahoma); OL Toby Weathersby (LSU)
Players acquired via trade: DE Michael Bennett (Seahawks), CB Daryl Worley (Panthers, since released)