Tag: Jeremy Fowler

Eagles land just outside the top-5 in a ESPN Future Power Rankings for all 32 teams for the next 3-years

Eagles are No. 6 in ESPN’s Future Power Rankings for all 32 NFL teams

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The Philadelphia Eagles have a young, athletic roster with one of the top-10 quarterbacks in all of the NFL leading the way and that’s cause for supreme optimism.

The ESPN Insiders recently projected which NFL franchises are in the best shape for the next three seasons using a panel of Jeremy Fowler, Louis Riddick, Seth Walder, and Field Yates — to rate each team’s quarterback, remaining (non-QB) roster, draft, front office and coaches using this scale:

100: A+ (Elite)

90: A (Great)

80: B (Very good)

70: C (Average)

60: D (Very bad)

50 and below: F (Disastrous)

After averaging the results from the panelists, each of the five categories was weighted to create the overall score — roster (30%), quarterback (20%), draft (15%), front office (15%) and coaching (20%). The result is a comprehensive ranking based on how well each team is positioned for the future.

After all the numbers crunching and simply using your eye test, the Philadelphia Eagles landed in a super favorable spot, at No. 6 on the list, behind the hated Dallas Cowboys who landed in the top-5.

6. Philadelphia Eagles
Overall score: 82.6

CATEGORY SCORE NFL
RANK
Overall roster (minus QB) 78.0 15
Quarterback 86.0 6
Coaching 89.3 6
Draft 75.5 15
Front office 85.5 5
Why they’re here: The Eagles feature a potential MVP candidate in Carson Wentz, who showed an ability to raise the talent around him 2019. Coach Doug Pederson is resourceful, innovative and confident, while GM/executive VP of football operations Howie Roseman has infused the roster with talent while maintaining his status as a salary cap wizard who can find ways to keep this roster intact going forward. — Yates

Biggest worry: The Eagles have upgraded the speed and skill level exceptionally well at the wide receiver position as compared to what they finished the season with last year. The question is whether they can now make it all work, on the field, where Wentz is as skilled a thrower as there is in the league. Chemistry is a big part of the game of football. They need to make it happen in Philly. — Riddick

Looking ahead: Jason Kelce is done after this year, Jason Peters is now a 38-year-old guard and Brandon Brooks is coming off an Achilles tendon tear. The interior offensive line needs reinforcements. And so does the linebacker spot. The Eagles have addressed the front and back ends of the defense, and a high-pedigree sideline-to-sideline player would complete the mission. — Fowler

Top stat to know: Among QBs currently under 30, Wentz has recorded the third-best QBR season: his 2017, when he posted a 78.5. He has shown the upside, and — performance wise — is fairly reliable looking forward. If I had to bet on the current quarterbacks most likely to be above average in five years, Wentz is no lower than sixth (behind Patrick Mahomes, Russell Wilson, Lamar Jackson, Deshaun Watson and Dak Prescott). That kind of certainty is worth a lot. — Walder

The Eagles will need their young infusion of wide receiver talent to blend with the returning DeSean Jackson, Alshon Jeffery and JJ Arcega-Whiteside on offense, while the addition of Darius Slay, Javon Hargrave, and Nickell Robey-Coleman should present the Eagles with some attitude and swagger that’s been missing at the Linc for years now.

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ESPN poll slots Kenny Golladay just outside the Top-10 WRs in NFL

ESPN polled NFL executives, coaches, scouts, and players to name the top wide receivers for the 2020 season and Detroit Lions Kenny Golladay landed just outside the Top-10.

ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler polled more than 50 NFL executives, coaches, scouts, and players to name the top wide receivers for the 2020 season ($) and Detroit Lions’ Kenny Golladay landed just outside of the Top-10.

Fowler noted that each voter submitted their top 10-15 wide receivers and then ESPN “compiled the results and ranked candidates based on (the) number of top-10 votes, composite average, interviews, and research”. The goal of this exercise was to “identify the best players right now for 2020”.

Here’s how it played out. No surprises at the top, as Julio Jones, Michael Thomas, DeAndre Hopkins, and Odell Beckham Jr. have all earned Top-4 spots. Tyreek Hill road the Chiefs’ Super Bowl victory to the fifth spot, while more established receivers Mike Evans, Davante Adams, and Keenan Allen rounded out the Top-8. Chris Godwin — who was selected 12 spots ahead of Golladay in the 2017 draft — grabbed the nine spot, and Amari Cooper closed out the group.

Five players received honorable mentions, and while it’s unclear if those players were ranked in order, Golladay was the third receiver listed among them.

“He’s central to the game plan, scares you more than some of those other younger guys,” an unnamed NFL passing game coordinator told ESPN. “Big dude who can go over you.”

Golladay is coming off a career year where he led the NFL in receiving touchdowns, earned his first Pro Bowl nod, and because he is still under his rookie contract, he received a well-earned performance escalator bumping his contract from $750,500 to $2.15 million. Even with the significant contract increase, he is still massively underpaid and is in line for a contract extension in the ensuing months.

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ESPN names Matthew Stafford a Top-10 QB heading into 2020

ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler polled NFL executives, coaches, scouts, and players to name the top quarterbacks for the 2020 season and Detroit Lions’ Matthew Stafford landed in the Top-10.

ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler polled more than 50 NFL executives, coaches, scouts, and players to name the top quarterbacks for the 2020 season ($) and Detroit Lions’ Matthew Stafford landed in the Top-10.

Fowler noted that each voter submitted their top 10-15 quarterbacks and then ESPN “compiled the results and ranked candidates based on (the) number of top-10 votes, composite average, interviews, and research”. The goal of this exercise was to “identify the best players right now for 2020”.

Here’s how the results played out. The half-billion-dollar man Patrick Mahomes led the way, followed by Russell Wilson in the two spot. Three through five featured three quarterbacks the Lions will face in 2020, Aaron Rodgers, Deshaun Watson, and Drew Brees. Reigning MVP Lamar Jackson landed sixth, followed by three-time MVP Tom Brady. Carson Wentz and Dak Prescott land eighth and ninth, with Matthew Stafford edging out Matt Ryan for the final spot in the Top-10.

Per the section on Stafford, the highest-ranking he received was fourth and the lowest was 14th, and while “Ryan had slightly more top-10 votes”, Fowler noted, “Stafford’s average overall was higher”.

“Most everyone agrees Stafford’s arm is top-five level,” Fowler said. “He was on pace for nearly 5,000 yards and 38 touchdowns before a back injury cut his 2019 season short. He was phenomenal from inside the pocket, with a league-leading 82.7 QBR, 66.2 completion percentage, 8.8 yards per attempt, 17 touchdowns and three interceptions.”

One NFC executive took an opportunity to take a shot at Detroit and their inability to put a winning team around Stafford during his career, but also noted that Stafford is “a major talent who’d probably be a top-five quarterback with an established franchise. He can score from anywhere on the field.”

Philadelphia Eagles named a team that improved the most this offseason

Eagles named a team improved the most this offseason

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For the most part, the Philadelphia Eagles avoided making a big splash in free agency, choosing to make value signing, while also acquiring Darius Slay without having to part with a first or second-round pick.

Add in a solid draft and a team that got significantly younger, and you have the recipes for more improvement in 2020.

ESPN NFL Insider Jeremy Fowler agrees and he recently named the Birds as the team that improved the most this offseason.

Philadelphia Eagles. Let’s bypass Tompa Bay on the GPS and head to Philly, where the additions of Javon Hargrave and Darius Slay bolster the Eagles’ defensive attack. They spent the better part of the past year combing the trade market for corner help and holding out paid off: Getting Slay in exchange for a third- and fifth-round picks is a great value. Hargrave is a versatile interior lineman with pass-rush explosion. Slot corner Nickell Robey-Coleman and safety Will Parks bring good depth. And the draft brought receiver help with do-it-all playmaker Jalen Reagor.

Add in the rookie class, several talented undrafted free agents along with the return of DeSean Jackson and Alshon, and this sky is truly the limit for this group, especially if they gel on defense.

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Are Cleveland Browns warming up to defensive end Jadeveon Clowney?

The Cleveland Browns have emerged as yet another suitor for DE Jadeveon Clowney as the Seattle Seahawks continue to try to bring him back.

Speculation has been rife about which team defensive end Jadeveon Clowney will sign with as a free agent. The Tennessee Titans have emerged as a contender for his services and the Seattle Seahawks remain a possibility but another team has now emerged into the race.

ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported that the Browns have shown interest in the star defender and that they have warmed up to him the most according to some around the NFL.

It will be challenging for the Seahawks to re-sign Clowney with their cap situation, even after he lowered his asking price, and more competition just made it even more difficult.

Clowney has expressed he wishes to play for a team that could contend for a championship, so the Seahawks may have a little upside in that department. In addition, quarterback Russell Wilson has recruited him to stay in Seattle. However, Clowney’s decision is something nobody else can control, and we may soon see where he signs for 2020.

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Find out who said Jameis Winston has that ‘Roethlisberger mentality’

Jeremy Fowler of ESPN had some interesting discussions with NFL execs and personnel regarding free agents, including Bucs QB Jameis Winston.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston is in a state of limbo right now with the organization as he waits to find out whether they want to bring him back next season.

The Winston roller-coaster season of 2019 was well documented — 5,109 passing yards, 33 touchdowns and 30 interceptions — but it did little to provide any clarity on his future with the team that drafted him first overall in 2015.

There are articles on the daily speculating about Winston’s NFL future and where he could wind up once the dust settles. Today, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN wrote about the conversations he’s had with NFL execs and personnel regarding the most captivating free agents. And, wouldn’t you know it, Mr. Winston topped the list.

Fowler reports that most people around the league expect Winston to be assigned the franchise or transition tag, or even be signed to short-term deal by the Bucs. One NFL personnel man feels Winston is still the right fit for Tampa Bay, and even invoked the name of Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger to make his point.

“[The Bucs] are a vertical passing team, second-level-type reads. That’s why you see explosive plays and aggressiveness, which lends itself to at least some turnovers. Jameis has that [Ben] Roethlisberger mentality, so if they can cut down the turnovers significantly, they can win games with him.”

It’s fitting that Roethlisberger’s name was used, given that Bruce Arians was Big Ben’s offensive coordinator in Pittsburgh from 2007 to 2011.

While Winston did have a tumultuous season in 2019, several former players expect him to thrive under Arians in Year 2. The only question is, will the Bucs afford him that chance?

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Jeremy Fowler thinks the Bucs and Cards would both benefit from a David Johnson trade

See why NFL writer Jeremy Fowler thinks a trade between the Buccaneers and Cardinals involving David Johnson would benefit both teams.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have a number of needs that need to be addressed this offseason, and somewhere down that list you may find running back. While the Bucs got strong production out of second-year back Ronald Jones last season, the team is still looking for that backfield threat that can help put this offense over the top.

While one mock draft has the Bucs taking Georgia running back D’Andre Swift at the 14th spot to address their running back issues, NFL writer Jeremy Fowler thinks the Bucs and Arizona Cardinals could both benefit by working out a trade for running back David Johnson.

Per Fowler:

“The Cardinals trade David Johnson to the Buccaneers for a fourth-round pick. Johnson fell out of favor in Arizona but is 28 and not far removed from elite play. He has $10.2 million left in guarantees that the Bucs could easily roll into a reworked two-year deal, though Arizona would have to eat some dead-cap space after a trade. Tampa Bay has a long-standing need at the position, and Johnson offers a solution.”

Arians coached Johnson during his time with the Cardinals. In 2016, Johnson had his best statistical season as a pro, rushing for 1,239 yards and 16 touchdowns to go along with 879 receiving yards and four receiving touchdowns. Johnson would provide that immediate backfield threat the Bucs need to complete their offense. (Well, that and consistent quarterback play.)

Let’s hope this Fowler trade scenario has legs.

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