The Philadelphia Eagles will enter the 2020 NFL season with championship aspirations and a quarterback on the hunt for his absolute respect around the league.
Wentz is one of the top-5 quarterbacks in the game, but all critics talk about are his eight games missed over the past three seasons including his first postseason start against the Seahawks last year.
Wentz can’t win another division title alone and in this breakdown, we’ll look at the seven Eagles who need to step up and do their part for the MVP candidate.
***
1. Matt Pryor, Right Guard
Pryor spent two seasons learning the Eagles’ offense for this moment and was the Eagles’ choice to replace Brandon Brooks in the Birds Wild Card loss to the Seattle Seahawks.
Originally selected by the Eagles in the 6th round (206th overall) of the 2018 NFL Draft, Pryor actually made his first career NFL start in place of an injured Brooks in that Wild Card game vs. Seattle.
An All-Big 12 honoree at TCU, Pryor will be called upon to help the Eagles maintain the distinction of being in the top-3 annually in both pass and run blocking. Pryor won’t be able to match Brandon Brooks’s production, but he’ll definitely need to hold up in the interior so Wentz can work his magic.
2. DeSean Jackson, Wide Receiver
As you witnessed in the season opener a year ago, Jackson and Wentz have dynamic chemistry and if No. 10 can stay healthy, the Eagles star quarterback could shatter every single-season passing record the franchise has.
Jackson looks faster and stronger since his abdominal surgery and will look to cement his status in franchise history with a monster 2020 campaign.
3. Jim Schwartz, Defensive Coordinator
The Eagles defensive coordinator finally has everything he needs and could have his most complete unit since the Eagles 2017 Super Bowl team. The Eagles added Javon Hargrave, then acquired Darius Slay via trade and Nickell Robey-Coleman via free agency as well.
Add in Will Parks, the return of Jalen Mills, the drafting of K’Von Wallace and you have the recipe for a dynamic and turnover causing defense.
Legacies are built on championships and Super Bowl appearances, and Carson Wentz needs Jim Schwartz to do his part when it comes to not blowing leads or shutting down the offenses that shouldn’t be on the field with Philadelphia.
4. Press Taylor, Pass Game Coordinator
The Eagles passing game coordinator got a promotion and a huge part of that newfound responsibility will include drawing up the creative plays that allow DeSean Jackson, Jalen Reagor, Marquise Goodwin, John Hightower and others to get loose in space.
Taylor is an offensive innovator and his ability to put Wentz and the Eagles in great positions — similar to what Eric Bienemy does with Mahomes — will go a long way in deciphering just how successful Wentz can truly be.
5. Andre Dillard, Left Tackle
The Eagles picked the former first-round pick over Jason Peters and it’ll be on Dillard to protect Wentz’s blindside. Although he struggled at right tackle, Dillard was one of the top left tackle prospects entering the 2019 NFL Draft and will be called upon to continue Peters dominance at left tackle.
6. JJ Arcega-Whiteside, Wide Receiver
Alshon Jeffery is a red zone monster, but he’ll likely be unavailable at the start of the 2020 regular season. Dallas Goedert and Zach Ertz are formidable red-zone targets but Arcega-Whiteside was drafted and made a name for himself at Stanford for his ability to win jump balls and overpower his opponent.
After a disappointing rookie season, a 44 catch, 575 yards, 6 touchdown performance from Arcega-Whiteside could make 2019 a thing of the past.
7. Marquise Goodwin, Wide Receiver
Brought over from the 49ers in a draft-day trade, Goodwin would provide Wentz with another explosive player and a guy that Press Taylor and Doug Pederson could utilize in space.
Goodwin, Jackson, and Reagor all have the world-class speed that the Eagles could utilize to forge the Chiefs of the East style offense.
