The Eagles have legitimate Super Bowl aspirations in 2019, but they won’t lift the Lombardi Trophy unless these five players have great seasons.
Injuries to quarterback Carson Wentz and almost everyone in the Eagles’ secondary caused Philadelphia to limp to a 9-7 finish in the 2018 regular season. There’s significant reason to believe Doug Pederson’s team will perform better this season. To do that, the Eagles need to experience better health and better play from select players on their roster.
Fortunately for Eagles fans, their favorite team still has plenty of talent. It’s not a stretch to believe they could make a deep postseason run. Things will have to break right though. The following five players enjoying career seasons would be a great platform for Pederson and his coaching staff to build on.
5. Derek Barnett
The Eagles chose to let Brandon Graham leave in free agency and traded away Michael Bennett. That leaves them with a real need for a pass rusher to step up in his absence. Barnett is the most likely guy to take a major step forward in 2019.
The former Tennessee star was limited to just six games in 2018 after undergoing shoulder surgery. The good news is that he seems to be ready to go for training camp. The Eagles’ defensive coaching staff need to get him ready to play a large number of snaps at defensive end.
Barnett isn’t the most explosive edge rusher in the league, but he’s got a ton of moves to throw at opposing tackles. The Eagles need him to put up double-digit sacks to take some pressure off Fletcher Cox up front. If that happens, Barnett may make the Pro Bowl and his team may play in the Super Bowl.