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The Philadelphia Eagles enter the 2020 NFL season with a retooled defense that will offer a ton of attitude, confidence, and big playability.
After the addition of Darius Slay, Javon Hargrave, Will Parks, and Nickell Robey-Coleman, along with the selection of K’Von Wallace and Davion Taylor, the Eagles are locked and loaded with a revamped defense that offers Jim Schwartz schematic options he’s never had in his first four seasons.
The Athletic recently ranked all 32 NFL defenses entering the 2020 NFL season and Philadelphia landed just outside the top-10, with the 12 ranked unit.
12. Philadelphia Eagles
Last year: 12th
In four years with Jim Schwartz, the Eagles’ defense has produced two top-five finishes and has never finished lower than 15th. Their defensive line could be special in 2020. The Eagles signed Javon Hargrave to team with Fletcher Cox and Brandon Graham. Derek Barnett has been a solid starter and is only 24 years old. And the Eagles will get back Malik Jackson, who suffered a season-ending injury in Week 1 last season. It’s a deep and talented group that could be among the league’s best. In the secondary, the Eagles traded for Darius Slay and signed Nickell Robey-Coleman. The plan is to go with a heavy dose of man coverage. The secondary still has questions at safety and corner, and the linebackers will almost certainly be a weakness, but between Schwartz and the defensive line, this defense has a high floor.
Robey-Coleman is the wildcard in the secondary and his ability to lock down the slot could allow Jim Schwartz to be ultra-creative with how he utilizes Darius Slay on the outside.
Slay can still travel with the opposing team’s best wide receiver, but the addition of a top-five slot cornerback allows Schwartz the freedom to place one of the NFL’s top cover guys on the top receiver outside, while not confusing the defense or tipping the offense to man or zone coverage.
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