Offensive coordinator Mike Groh enters his second year in the position with a stockpile of talent and depth at each position. Here's a position-by-position breakdown of the offense as the Eagles got to the 53-player limit on Saturday afternoon.
Carson Wentz is the franchise player entering his fourth season in the league. Wentz is fully healthy, surrounded by the best supporting cast that he's had in his career. He had an outstanding summer, showcasing his mastery of the offense. He's leaner after implementing a new diet regimen. He's in a good place mentally after getting a contract extension through 2024. Everything is in place for Wentz to regain his 2017 All-Pro form.
Josh McCown and Nate Sudfeld are the backups. The Eagles lured McCown out of retirement two weeks ago. The 17th-year NFL veteran showed his ability to come off the bench and play with few reps in the Ravens preseason game, just five days after he signed. McCown is a tremendous sounding board for Wentz. Sudfeld is on the mend with a broken left wrist. The fourth-year quarterback has shown promise in his limited NFL action. The Eagles have quarterbacks who can win games behind Wentz.
The running back room was overhauled in the 2018 offseason. The Eagles acquired Jordan Howard from the Bears. Howard is a big back who can win in short-yardage situations. He's also been consistent with back-to-back seasons of 900-plus yards rushing and nine touchdowns. Plus, Howard has been on the field for 47 straight regular-season contests.
After trading for Howard, the Eagles selected Miles Sanders in the second round of the 2019 NFL Draft. Sanders flashed this summer, showcasing big-play ability in both the run and pass game. He also impressed coaches with his ability to pass protect, which will help him stay on the field early and often as a rookie.
Darren Sproles gets to put the finishing touches on a brilliant career. He'll serve as a mentor to Sanders, but also be an effective change-of-pace weapon plus aid in the return game. It was great to see Corey Clement get back to full health in the preseason after a knee injury landed him on Injured Reserve to end last year. He's another do-it-all back who can provide a big-play spark to the offense.
Here's another position group that is improved not only at the top, but also in terms of depth. DeSean Jackson still has the same speed from his first tenure in Philadelphia, along with savvy route-running ability. The Eagles are going to move him all around the formation. He adds a vertical element to the offense, but is so much more than a go-route receiver. Plus, he is motivated to win after playing in just one playoff game since he left Philadelphia. Alshon Jeffery is the starting receiver opposite Jackson. The 6-3, 218-pound Jeffery is, like Wentz, entering 2019 healthy after battling a shoulder injury all of 2017 and recovering from surgery after the Super Bowl win. Jeffery has quietly amassed over 1,600 yards and 15 touchdowns in his two seasons with the Eagles, not including the playoffs.
Nelson Agholor is a dynamic weapon out of the slot who has increased his receptions total each season in the league. J.J. Arcega-Whiteside, also a second-round pick in this year's draft, was consistent and outstanding throughout the spring and summer. He led the Eagles with 12 catches for 147 yards in the preseason. Mack Hollins is back after missing all of 2018. Head coach Doug Pederson said that Hollins will be another weapon in the red zone. Hollins is another big body who runs fast, blocks well, and is tremendous on special teams.
Zach Ertz is one of the league's elite players at his position. He set the NFL single-season record for most catches by a tight end in 2018. He has sure hands, outstanding route-running ability, and such an awareness of how to attack coverage schemes. Dallas Goedert would start for most teams in the league. The team's top pick in 2018, Goedert is a mismatch weapon in the pass game, but is no slouch as a blocker. Goedert is poised for a breakout season after showing a ton of promise in his rookie campaign.
It all starts up front and the Eagles have arguably one of the best starting lines in the league fortified by outstanding depth. The Eagles have four Pro Bowl starters in both tackles – Jason Peters and Lane Johnson – as well as center Jason Kelce and right guard Brandon Brooks, who is on the verge of returning from an Achilles injury suffered in January. Left guard Isaac Seumalo had an outstanding summer after earning a contract extension in the offseason to round out the starting five.
Halapoulivaati Vaitai is prepared to start at right guard if Brooks is unable to go next week against Washington. At the very least, Big V can play either tackle or guard in a pinch. First-round pick Andre Dillard showed that the future is bright at left tackle in the preseason. Jordan Mailata moved from left to right tackle and made huge strides in his second preseason. Matt Pryor is another versatile lineman who can play both tackle and guard. Nate Herbig is one of two rookie free agents to make the team. Herbig picked up the center position during Training Camp and added that to his repertoire.
