Looking at the Philadelphia Eagles biggest strengths on the roster entering 2024.
The Philadelphia Eagles are entering 2024 with many strengths, and what many say is close to a complete roster. We have reviewed their weaknesses and what might hinder their success this year. Now, we can examine what might drive this team to the ultimate goal of lifting the Lombardi trophy this coming season.
Offensive Line
There is a reason that despite the two uncertainties on the offensive line, PFF still ranked the Eagles as the second-best offensive line in the NFL. Even with Jason Kelce retiring, the offensive line still has Jordan Mailata, Landon Dickerson, and Lane Johnson. Those are three of the best at their respective positions. Dickerson and Mailata both recently inked big deals this past offseason. And even though Johnson’s career seems to be in the latter stages, he still plays at an elite level.
In the past couple of years, we have seen that this team’s heart is its offensive line; even more so now, with the tush push making its debut two years ago. General manager Howie Roseman has always invested high draft capital into the offensive line. That remains true for the two new likely starters, Cam Jurgens and Tyler Steen, who were day-two picks in 2022 & 2023.
This year will be an added challenge after losing a significant veteran presence in the middle of the line. However, with that much high-end talent, it is impossible not to label this group as a strength.
Defensive Line
This group also lost a key leader this past season when Fletcher Cox retired. The talent on the defensive line is still more than formidable. Jalen Carter had a great rookie year, while Jordan Davis and Milton Williams have proven reliable on the inside. At the same time, newly acquired Bryce Huff will join Josh Sweat, Nolan Smith, Brandon Graham, and 2024 third-round pick Jaylx Hunt.
The defensive line has always been one of the deepest and strongest positions on the Eagles’ roster. That depth allows the defensive line to be fresher later in games. Fangio will also have the personnel to do that this season with his four top-edge rushers, while Hunt may get a few opportunities to contribute in his rookie season.
The interior does not lack talent, either. Carter, Davis, and Williams are the top three players, and they will be heavy contributors. Many know of the Georgia duo, but Milton Williams will become a household name in Fangio’s scheme.
Williams was tied with Kenny Clark for the 35th highest-graded interior defensive lineman by PFF last season. That grade largely came from his ability to stop the run, which he has excelled at over the previous two seasons. However, he generated 25 pressures, up from 16 in 2022. He is still only 25 years old and improving year after year. Williams will be a free agent in 2025, but that is something the Eagles can worry about when the time comes. As for this season, Williams and others will look to contribute to what is a very talented and deep defensive line.
The Eagles defense will likely go as the line goes, which is typically the case in Philadelphia. It’ll be interesting to see who steps into that leadership role, joining Brandon Graham, as the rest of the group is fairly young. The first in line may likely be Josh Sweat, but his name has come up in countless trade rumors throughout the offseason. The defensive line for Philadelphia is very talented, and it’ll be exciting to see what is next for a young group with plenty of room to grow.
Wide Receiver
Listing wide receivers here was easy when considering how good the starters are on the team. DeVonta Smith has proven in short time to be an elite option behind A.J. Brown. Not many teams have the luxury of having someone like him as their WR2. Yes, there are several teams you could point to, such as the Bengals, Dolphins, Texans, Bears, and 49ers. However, when you step back and look at the receiver landscape, most teams would be lucky to have Smith as their second option, and some even their first option.
And that’s without mentioning Brown, who was on an elite season pace for Philadelphia before the Eagles collapsed.
AJ Brown is on pace for 128 catches, 1,995 yards, and 11 TDs. We are witnessing greatness. pic.twitter.com/64m4ymj644
— Shane Haff (@ShaneHaffNFL) October 29, 2023
Brown was well on his way to being on par with the league leaders in yards and top five in touchdowns. The season did not end as fans wanted, but that connection between Jalen Hurts and Brown is still there. Brown finished the season with 106 receptions, 1,456 yards, and seven touchdowns. He was PFF’s eighth-highest graded receiver for the season and was third before the losing streak.
The Eagles have an embarrassment of riches with their top two receivers, who will continue to dominate defenses in 2024. It’ll be interesting to see how new offensive coordinator Kellen Moore will use these two extraordinary receivers. Moore will likely put them in motion more often than in previous years. That would be enough to excite any Eagles fan after 2023.
This position should remain a strength for the next few seasons, with these Smith and Brown leading the charge for the foreseeable future.
