Tag: Jim Schwartz

Eagles DT Javon Hargrave named a player who’ll have a breakout 2020 NFL season

Javon Hargrave expected to have a breakout season with Eagles in 2020

The Philadelphia Eagles quietly added the most valuable player of the free agency period, stealing defensive tackle Javon Hargrave away from the Pittsburg Steelers.

After a solid 2019 season in Pittsburgh, Hargraved cashed out, signing a 3-year, $39 million deal with the Eagles.

Hargrave played nose tackle in the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 3-4 defense, but he’ll move to defensive tackle, where he’ll be lined up next to the All-Pro, Fletcher Cox.

playing next to Cox will free Hargrave up for one-on-one battles, which should allow the talented defensive tackle to have a breakout season in 2020 according to Bleacher Report.

Hargrave was named one of four players who’ll have huge seasons on a new team.

A former South Carolina State star, Hargrave just turned 27 years old and was a third-round pick of Steelers in 2016.

Hargrave racked up 14.5 sacks and 168 total tackles through four seasons with the Steelers and the 6’2″, 305-pound game wrecker will bring that intensity to the Eagles.

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Eagles land standout SEC LB, Pac 12 CB in Todd McShay’s latest mock draft

Eagles land Patrick Queen in Todd McShay’s latest NFL mock draft

The Philadelphia Eagles are apparently all-in on upgrading their roster via the NFL draft, but one expert believes they’ll go defense over the wide receiver in the first round.

Todd McShay previously had the Birds selecting a wide receiver in his other mock drafts, but in his latest installment via ESPN.com, Howie Roseman and company shore up the defense tremendously with the selection of LSU star linebacker, Patrick Queen.

21. Philadelphia Eagles
Patrick Queen, ILB, LSU

The void at wide receiver hasn’t gone away, and the Eagles will have to think long and hard about whether they are ready to enter the 2020 season with the oft-injured Alshon Jeffery and DeSean Jackson, along with J.J. Arcega-Whiteside off a disappointing rookie campaign, as their wideouts again. Justin Jefferson out of LSU is for sure in play at No. 21. But Philadelphia also could really use a spark in the middle of the defense. Queen is a rangy, off-ball linebacker with burst and great tackling ability.

Queen would again make the Eagles defense that much more versatile and he’s another hybrid that would allow Jim Schwartz to dictate to opposing offenses.

In the second round of his mock draft, McShay has the Eagles again going defense, this time with Pac 12 cornerback and former Utah star, Jaylon Johnson.

53. Philadelphia Eagles
Jaylon Johnson, CB, Utah

It’s another spot to maybe make a play for a wide receiver, but even with the addition of Darius Slay, the Eagles will be seeking cornerback depth in April. Johnson is strong in press coverage and flashes the ability to make plays on the ball. Philly has four picks in Rounds 3 and 4 to find a talented wideout, perhaps someone such as KJ Hamler, Donovan Peoples-Jones or Van Jefferson.

Johnson allowed only nine completions on 22 targets for 112 yards over his last seven games in Pac-12 play last season.

After watching Carson Wentz carry the Eagles to the playoffs, McShay maybe feels like a strong defense will make this team that more dangerous.

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4 takeaways from the Eagles signing Nickell Robey-Coleman

Philadelphia Eagles are giving Jim Schwartz options at cornerback

The Philadelphia Eagles are doing their best to present defensive options for Jim Schwartz, adding another talented cornerback.

The Birds inked former Rams cornerback Nickell Robey-Coleman to a one-year deal on Wednesday and the reviews are in.

With the Eagles now have options at the position, here are four takeaways from the move.

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1. Robey Coleman adds flexibility

The addition of Robey-Coleman gives the Birds another guy who can play in the slot but also transition outside if need be. If Jim Schwartz chooses to move Avonte Maddox to safety, Robey-Coleman gives him options.

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NFL players react to Darius Slay getting traded to the Eagles

NFL players react on Twitter to Darius Slay getting traded to Eagles

Darius Slay is now a member of the Philadelphia Eagles and one of the highest-paid players at his position after being traded by the Detroit Lions.

drafted by then Lions-head coach Jim Schwartz back in 2013, Slay has rounded into one of the best shutdown corners in the NFL and the Eagles finally have a guy who can win one on one battles with the best.

Slay allowed only three touchdowns on 93 targets last season, according to Pro Football Reference and he’s been to three straight Pro Bowl.

Defensive backs from around the league, including Deion Sanders weighed-in on the Eagles newest acquisition.

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Eagles traded a 3rd and 5th round pick to the Lions for CB Darius Slay

Eagles acquire Darius Slay from Lions for a third and fifth-round pick

The Philadelphia Eagles acquired Darius Slay on Thursday morning and the most asked question centered around the compensation.

According to Adam Schefter, the Eagles got Slay from Detroit without having to part with their 2020 first or second-round pick.

For the Eagles, the first-round pick was pertinent and still allows Howie Roseman and company to target a wide receiver with their pick at No. 21 or the pick in the second round, while still landing an All-Pro caliber cornerback.

Eagles and Lions discussing the “framework” of a trade involving CB Darius Slay

Eagles and Lions discussing a trade involving CB Darius Slay

The Philadelphia Eagles have been interested in Darius Slay for the better part of two years now and on Thursday morning shortly after midnight, Josina Anderson of ESPN is reporting that discussions are being had involving the star cornerback.

According to the report, the Eagles and Lions are discussing the framework of a deal that would send Slay to Philadelphia after the Birds work out a contract extension with the Detroit star.

The news comes on the heels of Slay again voicing his displeasure in Detroit in requesting a “speedy” trade after the Lions inked Desmond Trufant to a deal.

Slay leads NFL in passes broken up since 2015 and is one of just 2 cornerbacks named to 3 straight Pro Bowls (Jalen Ramsey).

Adding Slay to the roster would finally give the Eagles the shutdown caliber cornerback that they’ve lacked.

Slay is currently among top-15 highest-paid cornerbacks in the NFL according to Over The Cap, and he’d come at a decent rate, of $10 million per season with a $13 million cap hit.

4 takeaways from the Eagles agreeing to deal with DT Javon Hargrave

4 takeaways from Eagles agreeing to deal with DT Javon Hargrave

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The Philadelphia Eagles have a new game-wrecker nicknamed the ‘Gravedigger’ to pair with Fletcher Cox in what should be the NFL’s most dominant interior tandem.

Javon Hargrave is leaving the Steelers to come across the state after agreeing to a three-year, $39 million deal that includes $26 million guaranteed, according to Adam Schefter.

The 89th overall pick in the 2016 draft, Hargrave played in 62 career regular-season games with the Steelers, starting 52, while racking up 168 tackles (22 for loss), 14.5 sacks and 22 quarterback hits.

Over the past two seasons, Hargrave has been dominant, tallying 67 tackles and 10.5 sacks while helping the Steelers lead the NFL in sacks during that span.

Now an Eagle, he’ll team with Fletcher Cox, while allowing Philadelphia to have one of the most versatile defensive fronts in the NFL.

Here are 4 takeaways from Hargrave’s deal:

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1. Eagles are back to prioritizing the defensive line

The Eagles prioritize the defensive line an had gotten away from the pressurized front that had given offenses hell over the 2017 and 2018 seasons.

Hargrave is a major boost to an interior defensive line that’s been lacking outside of Fletcher Cox.

 

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3 things to know about new Eagles interior game-wrecker Javon Hargrave

Eagles agree to deal with Javon Hargrave

The Philadelphia Eagles missed out on the No. 1 rated free agent cornerback, Byron Jones, but championships are built in the trenches and teams can’t score if their quarterback is on the ground.

The Eagles were pretty quiet during the first day of the legal tampering period but got a jump on things Monday night when they signed Javon Hargrave away from the Steelers for $39 million over three-years.

Hargrave is a talented player and will fit in with the blue-collar culture that Eagles fans represent.

If you’re not familiar with the monster in the middle, here are three things to know about the Eagles star.

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1. Hargrave is now the NFL’s highest-paid nose tackle

The Eagles don’t play a 3-4 defense, so the honor is null and void, but with his 3-year, $39 million deal, Hargrave would be recognized as the highest-paid nose tackle in the game today.

a game wrecker, Hargrave was the 8th highest graded interior defender last seasons.

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Eagles could have interest in underrated Illinois LB Dele Harding

2020 NFL Draft: Eagles could have interest in Dele Harding

The Philadelphia Eagles will enter the NFL draft with 10 selections and after having a total of ten over the past two years, Howie Roseman and company will have an opportunity to add extraordinary depth to the roster.

Scouts and personnel experts are out on the pro day circuit and according to Tony Pauline of the Pro Football Network, the Eagles have interest in a Big-10 linebacker with local ties.

Illinois linebacker Dele Harding is starting to generate some buzz and the Eagles are reportedly among the teams interested in the All Big-10 linebacker.

Harding, who participated in the Shrine Game and measured 6-foot, 232 pounds, is good in pass coverage and brings physicality to the defense when defending the run.

During his final season with the Illini, Harding logged 149 tackles (14 for loss), 3 interceptions (2 TDs) and 2 forced fumbles.

Harding’s 40-yard dash times have ranged from 4.67 to 4.82 seconds, with 27 reps on the bench press.

Should the Eagles engage in a bidding war for CB Byron Jones?

Eagles and Giants could engage in a bidding war for Byron Jones

The Philadelphia Eagles covet Byron Jones and appear prepared to break the bank for his services but a question has to be asked, how much is too much?

The Eagles have been in on Jones from the start of conversations about free agency but it appears the New York Giants would like to make a big splash and secure his services as well.

Pro Football Network is reporting that the Eagles are the favorites to land Jones, but they’ll have to outbid the Giants for his services.

Throughout the week of the NFL Combine, everything I heard pointed to the Philadelphia Eagles being the favorite for CB Byron Jones. Then late in the weekend, someone told me to “expect the Eagles and New York Giants to get into a bidding war for Jones.” As I reported last week – Jones is going to make a lot of money and he’ll be able to pick the team he wants to play for.

Last season according to Pro Football Focus, Jones had an overall grade of 76.1 (14th among cornerbacks) a 74.8 grade in coverage and a 94.1 passer rating against.

In 2019, on 53 targets, Jones allowed 30 catches for a 56.6 completion percentage allowed. What you won’t see here is Jones giving up deep balls or 70-yard slants for a touchdown.

The Eagles will have options with Jones, James Bradberry, Chris Harris and Logan Ryan all available, but it’s the Cowboys star that Philadelphia brass clearly wants.

But at what price?

Jones reportedly will demand upwards of $16 million per season as he looks to reset the market. Will the Eagles, Giants, and another suitor be willing to pay that price for a player who’s a shutdown style corner, but doesn’t turn the ball over?

We are a week away from finding out.