2021 Philadelphia Eagles Preview and Predictions: Post Draft Edition

(Photo Credit: Steven Ryan/Getty Image)

Key Players Returning:

QB Jalen Hunt, RB/KR Miles Sanders, WR Travis Fulgham, WR Jalen Reagor, WR/PR Greg Ward, TE Zach Ertz, TE Dallas Goedert, OC Jason Kelce, OG Brandon Brooks, OG Issac Seumalo, OT Andre Dillard, OT Lane Johnson, DE Derek Barnett, DE Brandon Graham, DE Josh Sweat, DT Fletcher Cox, DT Javon Hargrave, LB T.J. Edwards, LB Alex Singleton, CB Avonte Maddox, CB Darius Slay, FS Marcus Epps, FS Rodney McCloud, KR Boston Scott, and PK Jake Elliot.

Key Players Departing:

QB Carson Wentz (Colts), WR DeSean Jackson (Rams), WR Alshon Jeffery (UFA), DT Malik Jackson (Browns), LB Nathan Gerry (49ers), LB Duke Riley (Dolphins), CB Nickell Robey-Coleman (UFA), SS Jalen Mills (Patriots), and PT Cameron Johnston (Texans).

Key Players Added:

QB Joe Flacco (Jets), SS Anthony Harris (Vikings), and PT Arryn Siposs (Lions).

Draft Picks:

Round 1: 
Pick 010 – WR DeVonta Smith (Alabama)
Round 2:  Pick 037 – OC Landon Dickerson (Alabama)
Round 3:  Pick 073 – DT Milton Williams (Louisiana Tech)
Round 4:  Pick 123 – CB Zech McPherson (Texas Tech)
Round 5:  Pick 150 – RB Kenneth Gainwell (Memphis)
Round 6:  Pick 189 – DT Marlon Tuipulotu (USC)
Round 6:  Pick 191 – DE Tarron Jackson (Coastal Carolina)
Round 6:  Pick 224 – LB/S  LaCoby Stevens (LSU)
Round 7:  Pick 234 – LB Patrick Johnson (Tulane)

2020 Results:

W01  at Washington FT  L  17-27
W02  LOS ANGELES RAMS  L  19-37
W03  CINCINNATI BENGALS  T  23-23
W04  at San Francisco 49ers  W  25-20
W05  at Pittsburgh Steelers  L  29-38
W06  BALTMORE RAVENS  L  28-30
W07  NEW YORK GIANTS  W  22-21
W08  DALLAS COWBOYS  W  23-9
W10  at New York Giants  L  17-27
W11  at Cleveland Browns  L  17-22
W12  SEATTLE SEAHAWKS  L  17-23
W13  at Green Bay Packers  L  16-30
W14  NEW ORLEANS SAINTS  W  24-21
W15  at Arizona Cardinals  L  26-33
W16  at Dallas Cowboys  L 17-37
W17  WASHINGTON FT  L  14-20

Team Info:

2020 Overall:  4-11-1 (4th in NFC East)

Home:  3-4-1
Away:  1-7
East:  2-4
NFC:  4-8
AFC:  0-3-1

Head Coach:  Nick Sirianni

Philadelphia:  0-0
Career:  0-0
Playoffs:  0-0

Returning Statistical Leaders:

Passing: 
Jalen Hurts (77-148, 1061 yards, 52.0%, 7.2 avg., 6 TD, 4 INT)
Rushing: 
Miles Sanders (164 car., 867 yards, 5.3 avg., 6 TD)
Receiving: 
Greg Ward (53 rec., 419 yards, 7.9 avg., 6 TD)
Yards After Catch: 
Miles Sanders (219)
TD’s Scored: 
Greg Ward/Miles Sanders (6)
Sacks: 
Fletcher Cox (6.5)
Tackles: 
Alex Singleton (120)
Interceptions: 
Marcus Epps (2)
Pass Deflections: 
Rodeny McCleod (7)
Tackles For Loss: 
Fletcher Cox/Josh Sweat (11)
Forced Fumbles: 
Josh Sweat (3)
Kick Returns: 
Boston Scott (28 car., 590 yards, 21.1 avg., 0 TD)
Punt Returns: 
Greg Ward (21 car., 134 yards, 6.4 avg., 0 TD)
Kicking:  Jake Elliott (14-19 fg/fga., 74%, 24-26 xp/xpa., 66 pts.)
Punting: 
Jake Elliott (2 punts, 77 yards, 38.5 avg., 1 in20)

Projected Offensive Starters:

QB:  1  Jalen Hurts
RB:  26  Miles Sanders
WR:  13  Travis Fulgham
WR:  18  Jalen Reagor
WR:  6  DeVonta Smith  |R|
TE:  86  Zach Ertz
LT:  77  Andre Dillard
LG:  73  Isaac Seumalo
OC:  62  Jason Kelce
RG:  79  Brandon Brooks
RT:  65  Lane Johnson
KR:  35  Boston Scott
PK:  4  Jake Elliott

Projected Defensive Starters:

DE:  96  Derek Barnett
DT:  91  Fletcher Cox
DT:  93  Javon Hargrave
DE:  55  Brandon Graham
LB:  58  Genard Avery
LB:  57  T.J. Edwards
LB:  49  Alex Singleton
CB:  24  Darius Slay
CB:  29  Avonte Maddox
FS:  22  Marcus Epps
SS:  28  Anthony Harris
PR:  84  Greg Ward
PT:  8  Arryn Siposs

Team Grades:

Offense

Quarterbacks:  C
Running Backs:  B
Wide Receivers:  C
Offensive Line:  C

Defense

Defensive Line:  A
Linebackers:  B
Secondary:  B

Special Teams

Kick Returners:  C
Punt Returners:  C
Kickers:  C
Punters:  C

Schedule:

09/12 
at Atlanta Falcons  |  Philadelphia leads the series 20-15-1.  The Eagles are 3-4 since 2011, and their last series win (18-12) was in 2018.

09/19  SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS  |  Philadelphia trails the series 13-15.  The Eagles are 2-2 since 2011, and their last series loss (21-26) was in 2014.

09/27  at Dallas Cowboys  |  Philadelphia trials the series 46-67.  The Eagles are 9-11 since 2011, and their last series road win (37-9) was in 2017.

10/03  KANSAS CITY CHIEFS  |  The series is tied 4-4.  The Eagles lost (20-27) the last meeting between teams in 2017.

10/10  at Carolina Panthers  |  Philadelphia leads the series 7-5.  The Eagles lost (17-21) the last meeting between teams in 2018, and their last series win (28-23) was in 2017.

10/14  TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS  |  Philadelphia leads the series 10-9.  The Eagles lost (21-27) the last meeting between teams in 2018, and their last series win (31-20) was in 2013.

10/24  at Las Vegas Raiders  |  Philadelphia leads the series 7-6.  The Eagles won (19-10) the last meeting between teams in 2017.

10/31  at Detroit Lions  |  Philadelphia leads the series 11-6-1.  The Eagles lost (24-27) the last meeting between teams in 2019, and their last series road win (35-32) was in 2010.

11/07  LOS ANGELES CHARGERS  |  Philadelphia trails the series 5-7.  The Eagles won (26-24) the last meeting between teams in 2017.

11/14  at Denver Broncos  |  Philadelphia leads the series 8-5.  The Eagles won (51-23) the last meeting between teams in 2017.

11/21  NEW ORLEANS SAINTS  |  Philadelphia leads the series 18-15.  The Eagles won (24-21) last season’s meeting between teams, and their last series loss (14-20) was in 2018.

11/28  at New York Giants  |  Philadelphia leads the series 66-45-1,.  The Eagles are 15-5 since 2011, and their last series road win (34-17) was in 2019.

12/05  at New York Jets  |  Philadelphia leads the series 11-0.  The Eagles won (31-6) the last meeting between teams in 2017.

12/19  WASHINGTON FOOTBALL TEAM  |  Philadelphia trails the series 51-57-3.  The Eagles are 11-9 since 2011, and their last series home win (32-27) was in 2019.

12/26  NEW YORK GIANTS  |  The Eagles last series road loss (7-15) was in 2013.

01/02  at Washington FT  |  The Eagles last series road win (37-27) was in 2019.

01/09  DALLAS COWBOYS  |  The Eagles last series home loss (20-27) was in 2018.

Prediction:

Home:  3-5
Away:  0-9
DIV:  0-6
NFC:  2-10
AFC:  1-4

Overall:  3-14 (4th in NFC East)

UFA:  Unrestricted Free Agent

Series Histories:  Histories are from the inception of the first Super Bowl season through present day.  Meetings prior to 1966 are not included.  Playoff wins are included in the year the season took place.  For example, if a team won a wildcard game in January of 2016, the game will be listed under the 2015 season.