The Eagles head into their bye week in Week 10 with the best record in the NFL, and as Jalen Hurts and company work to get healthy, head coach Nick Sirianni should be focused on expanding roles.
Philadelphia is headed toward a deep playoff run, and they’ll need to rely on depth, talent, and versatility at multiple positions.
With the semi-vacation almost over, we’re looking at the studs and duds from the first half of the Eagles season.
Stud--GM Howie Roseman
Roseman didn’t stand on his merits from the NFL draft or free agency, choosing to continue adding depth and talent to the roster.
Since this summer, Roseman has added Zach Cunningham (Starter), Fred Johnson (backup LT), Isaiah Rodgers (slot CB 2024), Albert Okwuegbunam, Nicholas Morrow (Starter), Braden Mann (Punter), Bradley Roby (Slot CB), Julio Jones, and then acquired safety, Kevin Byard.
Roseman is a stud and has been winning since altering his strategy on draft talent and free agent acquisitions.
Stud-- Jalen Hurts
Hurts is now 5th in the NFL with 2,347 passing yards, while completing 68.9% of his passes, with 15 TDs, 8 INTs, a 97.0 Rating, 88 rushing attempts, 316 yards, and 7 TDs.
Dud--Rashaad Penny
It’s hard to be a stud when you’re not getting the snaps or carries to produce, but Rashaad Penny has essentially been a wasted roster spot since joining the Eagles at the start of free agency.
The hard running tailback had nine total snaps in his first five games, and he’s only logged 5 carries for 17 yards in the first nine games.
Stud--D'Andre Swift
Swift was acquired during the NFL draft, and through 9 games, he’s among the five in the NFL in rushing yards.
The former Georgia running back has 135 attempts for 614 yards (4.5) and 3 TDs; Swift also has 30 catches for 166 yards and 1 TD.
Swift had back-to-back games with 175 and then 130 yards but hasn’t had a 100-yard game in six weeks, and his average has dropped almost 3 yards per carry over the span, while Jalen Hurts’ passing averages have ballooned.
Swift is three yards shy of eclipsing his career high in rushing yards (617), and he’d have to fall off a cliff production-wise not to log his first 1,000-yard season.
Stud--A.J. Brown
Brown leads the Eagles with 67 catches on 92 targets for 1,005 yards, 6 TDs, and an almost 2,000-yard pace.
Brown’s streak of six straight 125+ yard games ended in Week 9, but no Eagles pass catcher in franchise history has reached 1,000 yards faster.
Stud--DeVonta Smith
A.J. Brown’s swollen production makes it appear like Smith is having a down season, but he’s made some tough catches in traffic, while logging 42 catches for 533 yards and four touchdowns and is on pace for another 1,000-yard season.
Dud--Olamide Zaccheaus
The Eagles didn’t expect Zaccheaus to put up big numbers, but he’s logged only 87 yards, 58 of which came in Week 3 against the Bucs.
Zaccheaus could see his opportunities rise with tight end Dallas Goedert out with a broken forearm.
Stud--Josh Sweat
Josh Sweat anchors this deep group with 6 1/2 sacks, 30 QB Hurries, 46 QB Pressures, 16 QB hits, 6 TFLs, and 2 FFs.
Stud--Jalen Carter
Carter is the 2nd highest-graded DT in the NFL, fourth in the pass rush grade (87.9), has four quarterback sacks, 29 QB pressures, 20 QB hurries, and he’s a DROY candidate.
Stud--Haason Reddick
Haason Reddick is listed as a linebacker, but he’s one of the best pass rushers in the NFL and has logged 8 sacks through 9 weeks, along with 14 stops, 22 QB hurries, 5 QB hits, and 35 QB pressures.
Stud--Zach Cunningham
Cunningham was a late summer signing and leads the Eagles linebackers with 54 tackles, along with 3 PBUs, 1 QB hit, 2 TFLs, and 1 FR.
Stud- Reed Blankenship
Blankenship is the 8th highest graded safety in the NFL according to PFF and his 87.5 grade in coverage in third in the NFL.
The second-year safety leads the Eagles defense with 55 tackles, along with 2 interceptions and 5 missed tackles.
