By Matt Lombardo | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
The 2017 NFL season is around the corner, and the Eagles will look vastly different at the skill positions both on offense and defense as the front office made a conscious effort to bolster the talent around second-year quarterback Carson Wentz over the offseason, which should make for an interesting season ahead.
Here are 17 bold predictions about the Eagles' upcoming season:
1. Carson Wentz will double his rookie touchdown total
Matt Rourke | AP Photo
As a rookie in 2016, Carson Wentz passed for 16 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. Given a complete offseason program where he is the de-facto franchise quarterback and a season's worth of experience combined with the additions of Alshon Jeffery, Torrey Smith, LeGarrette Blount as well as a burgeoning rapport with Zach Ertz, it doesn't seem unreasonable that Wentz could pass for 32 touchdowns this season.
2. ... But Wentz will also throw more interceptions
Wentz tossed 14 interceptions last season, but didn't show particularly consistent deep-ball accuracy, despite the fact that he seems more than eager and willing to push the ball downfield.
The fact that the Eagles will likely continue to employ a pass-happy offense combined with defensive coordinators having a year of film to evaluate on Wentz and him working to build timing with Jeffery, Smith, etc., Somewhere in the ballpark of 18-20 interceptions feels about right for Wentz in 2017.
Mitchell Leff | Getty Images
3. Jordan Hicks will make the Pro Bowl
A case can be made that Jordan Hicks isn't just the best player on the Eagles roster, but also the top linebacker in the NFC East.
In his first two seasons (24 games), Hicks has posted 135 tackles, four fumble recoveries, seven interceptions with one returned for a touchdown and 14 pass breakups.
This will be the season that Hicks garners the recognition he deserves and is named to both the Pro Bowl and the All-Pro team.
4. Alshon Jeffery will be the Eagles' receiving leader
Bill Streicher | USA TODAY Sports
Alshon Jeffery was far and away the Eagles' most consistent and dominant receiver this spring during OTAs and minicamp. The Eagles signed Jeffery to bring not only stability, but also as an infusion of talent into a wide receiving corps that has lacked both in recent years. Jeffery delivers both, finishing as the Eagles' leading receiver with 1,150 yards and 12 touchdowns.
5. This is the year Fletcher Cox gets double-digit sacks
Tim Hawk | For NJ.com
Fletcher Cox' career-season came in 2015 when he finished with 9.5 sacks. Given the offseason additions of Tim Jernigan and first-round rookie Derek Barnett, this will be the first time that Cox exceeds double digit sacks and he'll be selected to his third consecutive Pro Bowl for his efforts.
Bill Streicher | USA TODAY Sports
6. Nelson Agholor will catch 50 passes, set career highs
In his first two seasons, Nelson Agholor combined for 59 catches for 648 yards and three touchdowns. After a spring in which he appeared stronger, faster and more consistent, and given the attention paid to Jeffery over the top, it seems entirely plausible that Agholor could put together a similar stat line for the 2017 season.
7. Rookie CB Sidney Jones will play in 2017
Bill Streicher | USA TODAY Sports
Estimates on when rookie CB Sidney Jones will return from a torn Achilles suffered during Washington's Pro Day range from October to him missing the entire 2017 season.
Jones was already out of his walking boot this spring and the Eagles are preparing as though he will play. Call me crazy, but I would be more surprised if the injury kept him off the field for the entire season than I would be if he took the field at some point in the second half of the year.
8. Lane Johnson makes his first Pro Bowl
Rich Schultz | Getty Images
The Eagles were 3-1 to start the season before Lane Johnson was suspended for violating the NFL's PED policy, and Carson Wentz was named NFL Rookie of The Month in September. In Johnson's absence, the Eagles were 2-8 and went on to win the final two games of the season upon his return.
Prior to his suspension, and again once he returned, Johnson was playing some of the best football of his career and flashing glimpses of what makes him among the top offensive tackles in the league. In 2017, assuming Johnson stays clean and healthy, he'll make his first Pro Bowl.
17 best defensive players during last 17 years
9. Donnel Pumphrey plays more snaps than Darren Sproles ... But mostly at WR
Bill Streicher | USA TODAY Sports
This spring, Donnel Pumphrey split time both at running back and as a slot receiver, which could be a wrinkle to Doug Pederson's offense that the Eagles employ quite frequently.
When Pumphrey lined up in the slot during OTAs and minicamp, it was primarily when Darren Sproles was on the field at running back. Should that trend continue into the season, it seems like there's a pretty good chance that Pumphrey will actually take more snaps than Sproles does in 2017.
10. Zach Ertz finishes as a statistical top-3 TE, makes Pro Bowl
Lori M. Nichols | For NJ.com
Last season, Zach Ertz was the No. 5 rated tight end in the league with 78 catches for 816 yards and four touchdowns.
With the additions of Jeffery and Blount, Ertz could see even more passing opportunities in the red zone. If Wentz can haul in 85 catches for 925 yards and eight touchdowns, that should be enough to send him to his first Pro Bowl and merit All-Pro recognition.
Lori M. Nichols | For NJ.com
11. LeGarrette Blount rushes for 850 yards, 12 touchdowns
LeGarrette Blount set career highs in carries, yards and touchdowns last season with the New England Patriots. In a backfield by committee as part of an Eagles' passing-centric offense, he'll likely take a step back in all categories but still be effective. Look for Blount to finish with 850 yards and 12 touchdowns.
Bill Streicher | USA TODAY Sports
12. Derek Barnett takes more snaps than Vinny Curry
Derek Barnett will take a higher percentage of the defensive snaps than Vinny Curry, and finish the season with approximately 6.0 sacks.
13. The Eagles will average over 375 yards per game
Matt Rourke | AP Photo
The Eagles offense has the potential to be downright explosive in 2017. Given Wentz's potential improvement and significant upgrades at both wide receiver and running back, this team should far exceed its 337.4 yards of total offense per game last season.
If Jeffery has the kind of impact that the Eagles hope he does in the passing game, and LeGarrette Blount can be a legitimate threat to convert on 3rd down and short to keep the chains moving in addition to his role as a potential three-down back, this team could approach between 375 and 400 yards of offense per game.
14. The Eagles will struggle to go .500 against the NFC East
Andrew Mills | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
Given the upgrades at wide receiver, tight end and a second season for a revamped defense to take root, this could be the season that the Giants sweep the season series against the Eagles en-route to a lengthy playoff run.
Meanwhile, if Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott, Ezekiel Elliott, Dez Bryant, Jason Witten et al, continue to develop and improve that could be trouble for the Eagles' defense.
Predicted NFC East record: 2-4.
15. Jason Peters plays all 16 games, makes his 10th Pro Bowl
Tim Hawk | For NJ.com
Jason Peters played all 16 games last season and was fully healthy. Buoyed by a new contract extension, and a very limited spring thanks to his absence from OTAs, there's no reason to think that Peters can't replicate that feat and start all 16 games en route to his 10th Pro Bowl.
16. The Eagles will finish with 7 Pro Bowlers
Here's a way too early look at who has the best chance to make the Pro Bowl:
LT Jason Peters
RT Lane Johnson
WR Alshon Jeffery
QB Carson Wentz
TE Zach Ertz
LB Jordan Hicks
DT Fletcher Cox
17. The Eagles finish 9-7
Bill Streicher | USA TODAY Sports
The NFC East is likely to be one of the most competitive divisions in the NFL, but the Eagles infusion of talent this offseason including LeGarrette Blount, Torrey Smith, Jeffery and more should put this team in prime position to make a run at a 9-7 record and finish in the thick of the playoff chase.
THE NO HUDDLE SHOW:
MORE COVERAGE:
Matt Smith | Express-Times Photo
For the latest Eagles news and more coverage, head back over to our Eagles homepage.
HOW TO REACH ME:
Matt Lombardo may be reached at MLombardo@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @MattLombardoPHL.
Ad Choices