The NFL season is right around the corner, and with only a few months left before the Week 1 kick-off, it’s about time to start thinking about the Eagles (if you ever stopped).
A number of Pennsylvania betting apps, like FanDuel Sportsbook, have listed the Eagles’ Super Bowl odds roughly in the middle of the pack, so there’s quite a bit of value if that bet pulls through for you.
But it might be a bit more exciting to think about the actual season opener, and it might be even more interesting to have a think about some potential impact players for the coming season. That’s what we’re going to do.
Ten players that can help the Birds fly.
Jalen Hurts
Probably the obvious choice to start out this list, Hurts is already a serious threat on the ground, but the QB has been making some strides this offseason to up the passing game.
Not only are there are few new targets for him to look for downfield,
TJ Edwards
Edwards started off the last season a little slow and didn’t see that many plays for the first half of the year. But down the home stretch, with Edwards playing over 90% of defensive snaps, they went 6-2.
The Eagles have made a number of offseason moves in the linebacker position, however, and this will probably push the undrafted player off the field a bit more, but he adds a great level of depth and has proven to impact the scoreline.
DeVonta Smith
Smith had a brilliant rookie outing last season and finished up with 916 yards and 5 touchdowns in a team that relied heavily on the run and a QB that uses his feet before his arm. But Smith has all the tools to be a solid receiver, and with a few key offseason additions, he may find himself contributing massively in the number 2 role with opposing defenses looking to shut down AJ Brown.
Haason Reddick
Clearly the second to last place D needs a bit of work when it comes to sacks, and signing Reddick will be a welcome injection of pass-rushing talent.
This edge-rushing area will still need to be a priority focus to really improve, but this is a solid start, and if last year’s 11 sacks are on the cards again, Reddick will be a big player.
AJ Brown
This really is the obvious choice here when looking at new signings. AJ Brown is a statement move from the Eagles that their pass game is now a focus.
Taking over the lead receiver role, Brown will, of course, be a regular target, but his impact on the field when it comes to taking defensive eyes away from the tight ends and DeVonta Smith might be even more important than his personal performance.
Dallas Goedert
Starting last season, Goedert was splitting snaps with Zach Ertz but is not undoubtedly the number 1 TE.
Unfortunately, there isn’t a ton of depth here, but this just gives Goedert the chance to really shine and have another excellent year with a QB who has been working on his passing game.
Lane Johnson
The Eagles have one of the best starting tackle pairs with Lane Johnson and Jordan Mailata, and after getting snubbed for the Pro Bowl last year, expect Johnson to be a force on the line. When healthy, it’s hard to find many better options in NFL to fill this role.
Jordan Davis
Fletcher Cox is unfortunately not the player he once was, but this fresh talent of Davis might just be what the Eagles need to replace him.
Plus, he’s also part of a rotation with Javon Hargrave and will have tons of experienced players around him to learn from and develop into an impact DT.
Miles Sanders
We were a bit skeptical to actually give this spot to Sanders, as it could easily be James Bradberry who comes into the cornerback role that has more of an impact on the Eagles. But a running back is crucial to winning games, and when he can stay healthy, Miles Sanders is a good back.
Through the 12 games he played last year, Sanders averaged 5.5 yards per carry, so if he can keep working with those numbers for a full schedule, the ground game will once again be a major factor in the Eagles’ success.
Howie Roseman made some pretty spectacular moves this off-season to get the Birds back into winning form, and there are a number of players not listed here that can also have a massive presence on the field.
As long as decisions from the defensive playcalling are a bit better than the logo change, we have much higher expectations for this season.
Featured Image: Tom Rimback/Courier Post
The post Who Will Take the Eagles Back to the Super Bowl? Impact Players for the 2022-23 Season appeared first on Philadelphia Sports Nation.
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