2015 Season Predictions: NFC East Preview

Jan 25, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Team Irvin head coach

of the Dallas Cowboys and Team Irvin running back

of the Dallas Cowboys (29) before the 2015 Pro Bowl at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Philadelphia Eagles:

Key Additions: QB Sam Bradford,RB DeMarco Murray, RB Ryan Mathews, WR Miles Austin, ILB Kiko Alonso, CB Byron Maxwell, CB Walter Thurmond, FS E.J. Biggers, WR Nelson Agholor, CB Eric Rowe 

Chip Kelly and the Eagles were the most active team this offseason. Trading for Sam Bradford is a big risk for Kelly and really surprised me, as he isn’t very mobile, but it seems that any quarterback fits into Kelly’s system.

Adding two talented running backs was a surprising move by Kelly as well, but since both are very talented I don’t think one could say its a bad investment, though it is a lot of cap space for the running back position. Austin won’t be a big factor for the Eagles as he simply isn’t good anymore. The Agholor pick was a great pick by Kelly and I think he will have a big rookie season, especially due to his great route running skills.

On defense the Eagles made a lot of moves. Alonso is a very good inside linebacker who had a great rookie season and wasn’t able to play last year due to his torn ACL. The Eagles broke the bank for Maxwell and I don’t like the move. Maxwell hasn’t proved that he can play as a No.1 CB, so the big money they paid for him is quite risky.

Thurmond has some potential, but he hasn’t be able to show that potential due to him constantly being injured. He is also likely to move to safety. Rowe was a solid draft pick who could develop into a good cornerback and he will have time to do that. Biggers shouldn’t be a big factor for the Eagles.

Key Losses: QB Nick Foles, RB LeSean McCoy, WR Jeremy Maclin, G Todd Herremans, G Evan Mathis, ILB Casey Matthews, OLB Trent Cole, CB Cary Williams, CB Bradley Fletcher, SS Nate Allen 

The Eagles also gave up a lot of key players during free agency as well. Trading away Nick Foles and instead getting Bradford was a risky move and I am not sure if it will pay off. To me trading away McCoy was a stroke of genius as they added two running backs that combined are definitely better than McCoy and they also received Alonso.

Losing Maclin means another key player lost for the Eagles offense, but I honestly think Agholor and Matthews will be able to make up for a big part of the loss of Maclin. Losing both Herremans and Mathis could end up hurting the Eagles this year as they now have two very unexperienced guards starting.

Losing Matthews won’t hurt the eagles defense at all as Alonso is far better and the Eagles are also very deep at ILB. Letting go of Cole was also a good move as he simply wasn’t cutting it anymore. Ever since he broke the 30 and older barrier, Cole’s production simply hasn’t been as good.

Both Williams and Fletcher are coming off very poor seasons, which is likely why the Eagles completely revamped their secondary. Maxwell will defintely be better than either of these two players and Thurmond could be too if he is healthy. Allen had a solid year in Philly, but isn’t that good that he will be greatly missed in this revamped Eagles secondary.

Jun 17, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles defensive back

(31) works out with the team during minicamp at The NovaCare Complex . Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Verdict: 

With a slew of very questionable moves, it seems like only time will be able to give a final verdict on the moves. Bradford will be a key to the Eagles season. He must stay healthy, as Mark Sanchez simply isn’t good enough to lead a team into the Super Bowl.

The Eagles will likely try to run a lot as they have three very good running backs who will all demand touches. Their receiving corps will be pretty good as well, as Matthews is set to have a big second season and I think Agholor will have a good year as well. Add Cooper, Ertz and Celek to them, they have a pretty good receiving corps. The offensive line will be a big question mark this year as well.

On the defensive line, Fletcher Cox is a major presence on the line and Logan had a big 2014 season, which leaves the Eagles with a solid defensive line. The Eagles have a great linebacker corps, especially due to the Kiko Alonso. Alonso and Kendricks make a great combo on the inside and with Barwin and Graham at OLB they have a very complete group of very good linebackers.

Maxwell will have to prove to the league that he can be a No.1 corner, but him and Boykin as a combination should be very effective. While the starting FS isn’t set yet, that will likely be the weak spot of an otherwise strong secondary. If Bradford can play well, this team could be a real threat this year.

Feb 19, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Southern California Trojans wide receiver Nelson Agholor speaks to the media during the 2015 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

Prediction: 

Best Case Record: 13-3

Worst Case Record: 9-7

Prediction: 11-5

Team’s Offensive MVP: WR Jordan Matthews

Team’s Defensive MVP: ILB Kiko Alonso

Rookie Standout: WR Nelson Agholor

With all the criticism Chip Kelly has faced over the past months, I think he built himself a dangerous team.  Sam Bradford is facing a lot of pressure on offense, but he has good weapons around him and the passing game won’t be the center of attention. What helps is that they have an easy schedule. Best case scenario is that they go 5-1 in division and only drop two out of division, possibly both to AFC East teams. Worst case is that the passing game is underwhelming, Maxwell can’t be a No.1 Cornerback for a team and Kelly’s team falls flat. I think it will have success and they will win the division.

Next: Final standings and conclusion