The Philadelphia Eagles have solidified their status as Super Bowl contenders following the 2023 NFL Trade Deadline. General Manager Howie Roseman added critical pieces to an already strong roster, ensuring the team remains competitive in its pursuit of another championship. Here’s a breakdown and grading of each position group after the deadline moves.
Jalen Hurts continues to play at an MVP-caliber level despite dealing with a nagging knee injury. His ability to lead the offense both as a passer and rusher remains elite. Backup Marcus Mariota provides a capable insurance option, though he hasn’t had to step in during meaningful moments.
The acquisition of D’Andre Swift has been a revelation, with Swift thriving as the lead back. Complemented by Kenneth Gainwell and Boston Scott, the group is versatile, though occasional inconsistencies in short-yardage situations keep this grade from being higher.
A.J. Brown is putting up historic numbers, while DeVonta Smith remains a reliable secondary option. The emergence of Olamide Zaccheaus as a depth contributor adds further strength to this unit, which has been nearly unstoppable in the passing game.
Dallas Goedert continues to be a top-tier tight end, contributing both as a blocker and a receiver. However, depth behind him is a concern. If Goedert were to miss time, the Eagles might struggle to maintain production at this position.
The Eagles’ offensive line remains the best in the NFL, anchored by veterans Jason Kelce and Lane Johnson. Even with minor injuries across the unit, the depth and versatility ensure minimal drop-off in performance. The line’s dominance in both pass protection and run blocking is unmatched.
The addition of Kevin Byard at the deadline bolstered an already formidable defensive line. With Haason Reddick, Josh Sweat, and rookie Jalen Carter causing havoc, the unit consistently pressures opposing quarterbacks and shuts down rushing attacks.
Linebacker remains a relative weak spot. While Nakobe Dean has shown flashes of potential, the group lacks consistency. The Eagles have leaned on their defensive front to mask these deficiencies, but improvements are needed for a deep playoff run.
The acquisition of safety Kevin Byard solidified the secondary, which has struggled with injuries. Darius Slay and James Bradberry continue to play at a high level, though occasional lapses in coverage have led to big plays. Byard’s presence is expected to stabilize the back end moving forward.
Jake Elliott has been clutch all season, and the punting game is solid. However, the return game lacks explosiveness, which could be a factor in close games down the stretch.
The Eagles remain one of the most complete teams in the NFL. While linebacker and special teams could be potential vulnerabilities, the team’s dominant offensive and defensive lines, paired with elite quarterback play, make them the NFC’s team to beat. With the addition of Kevin Byard, Philadelphia is well-positioned for another deep playoff run.
The Philadelphia Eagles have reinforced their reputation as a top contender following the 2023 NFL Trade deadline Jake Elliott. General Manager Howie Roseman demonstrated his knack for shrewd roster management, acquiring safety Kevin Byard from the Tennessee Titans to shore up the team’s secondary. The Eagles are now even better equipped to pursue their second Super Bowl title in franchise history. Here’s a detailed analysis and grade for each position group post-deadline.
Jalen Hurts is the heart of this team, and his performance so far justifies the lofty expectations placed upon him. Despite managing a knee injury, Hurts continues to shine, showing resilience and poise in high-pressure situations. His dual-threat capability makes the Eagles’ offense incredibly dynamic. Backup Marcus Mariota hasn’t had to take on a significant role but offers experience and a similar skill set, ensuring the offense wouldn’t need to drastically adjust if he were to step in.
Room for Improvement: While Hurts’ decision-making has been mostly sharp, his turnover numbers, including interceptions and fumbles, could be reduced.
The running back group, led by D’Andre Swift, has provided a solid rushing attack. Swift’s explosiveness and versatility have transformed the Eagles’ ground game, allowing them to maintain balance offensively. Kenneth Gainwell and Boston Scott add complementary skills but have been inconsistent in their production. Gainwell, in particular, has struggled in short-yardage situations and late-game scenarios.
Room for Improvement: The group lacks a true power back who can excel in goal-line situations, a role that has sometimes fallen to Jalen Hurts in the form of the “Tush Push.”
A.J. Brown has been nothing short of sensational, breaking records with his streak of 125+ yard games. His physicality and ability to win contested catches make him one of the league’s best. DeVonta Smith continues to provide a reliable second option with crisp route running and big-play potential. Olamide Zaccheaus has stepped up as a dependable third option, adding depth to an already potent unit.
Room for Improvement: Drops have occasionally plagued the group, and there’s room for a larger contribution from the reserves if injuries strike the starters.
Dallas Goedert remains one of the league’s best tight ends, serving as both a safety valve for Jalen Hurts and a dynamic blocker in the run game. His versatility is crucial to the offense’s success. However, the lack of depth behind him is a concern. Jack Stoll and Grant Calcaterra have had limited opportunities and haven’t shown they can fill Goedert’s shoes if he were to miss time.
Room for Improvement: The Eagles could benefit from finding a backup tight end who can offer a more consistent presence as both a blocker and receiver.
The Eagles’ offensive line continues to set the standard in the NFL. Anchored by veterans Jason Kelce and Lane Johnson, this unit is the engine of the team’s success. The line has dominated in both pass protection and run blocking, allowing the offense to operate with efficiency and explosiveness. Younger players like Landon Dickerson and Jordan Mailata have also stepped up, showcasing the team’s ability to develop talent.
Room for Improvement: Injuries have occasionally tested the depth, but backups like Cam Jurgens and Sua Opeta have performed well when called upon.
The defensive line is a nightmare for opposing quarterbacks. Haason Reddick, Josh Sweat, and Brandon Graham lead the pass rush, while rookie Jalen Carter has emerged as a force in the interior. Fletcher Cox remains a steady veteran presence, and Jordan Davis has made strides in both run defense and pass rush. The rotation keeps players fresh, ensuring consistent production throughout games.
Room for Improvement: Penalties, particularly offsides and roughing the passer, have occasionally cost the team in critical moments
Linebacker has been a question mark for the Eagles this season. Nakobe Dean’s flashes of potential have been encouraging, but injuries have limited his availability. Nicholas Morrow and Zach Cunningham have been serviceable, but the position lacks a true playmaker. While the team’s strong defensive line often masks the linebackers’ deficiencies, this group could be a liability against teams that utilize tight ends and running backs effectively in the passing game.
Room for Improvement: Adding a more dynamic linebacker or seeing Dean take a significant step forward could elevate this group
The acquisition of Kevin Byard has already paid dividends, providing stability and leadership to a group that had struggled with injuries and inconsistency earlier in the season. Cornerbacks Darius Slay and James Bradberry remain among the league’s best, but both have allowed occasional big plays. Byard’s addition allows the Eagles to cover more ground and adjust their scheme to minimize those lapses.
Room for Improvement: Depth remains a concern, especially with injuries to reserves like Avonte Maddox and Justin Evans.
Jake Elliott has been a standout performer, hitting several clutch field goals this season. Punter Braden Mann has been reliable, though not spectacular. The coverage units have been solid but not exceptional. The return game has been the weakest link, lacking explosive plays that could flip field position in the Eagles’ favor.
Room for Improvement: Finding a spark in the return game or adding a more dynamic return specialist could make
Nick Sirianni and his staff have kept the team focused and prepared each week. Offensive coordinator Brian Johnson has found a rhythm calling plays, while defensive coordinator Sean Desai’s adjustments, particularly with the secondary, have been critical. Special teams coordination remains an area where improvement is possible.
The Philadelphia Eagles are one of the most complete teams in the NFL. With an MVP-caliber quarterback, dominant offensive and defensive lines, and playmakers on both sides of the ball, they are poised for another deep postseason run. While linebackers and special teams remain areas of concern, the addition of Kevin Byard has addressed a significant weakness, making this team even more dangerous.
The road to the Super Bowl will likely run through Philadelphia, and the Eagles appear ready to rise to the challenge.
Leave a Reply