Pro Football Focus has shown our Philadelphia Eagles a lot of love this offseason.
In nearly all of their positional rankings, the Eagles have placed in the top-half of the league. In their offensive lines ranking last week, the Eagles came in at the top spot, which shouldn’t surprise anyone.
This week, PFF continued their focus on the trenches by ranking all 32 defensive lines around the NFL. The Eagles defensive front isn’t as elite as it once was, but with the additions of Jordan Davis and pass rusher Haason Reddick, Howie Roseman is clearly trying to get his defensive line back to its glory days.
Philly’s defensive line came in at ninth in PFF’s ranking this year. Here was their reasoning:
The backbone of Philadelphia’s defensive line for years — a 31-year-old Fletcher Cox and 34-year-old Brandon Graham — is aging. However, the Eagles have done a nice job of continuing to add depth and create a deep rotation this offseason. Philadelphia added Jordan Davis and Haason Reddick this offseason while also bringing back Derek Barnett in free agency.
As he displayed at the combine, Davis is a truly unique athlete for his size who can single-handedly change a run defense with his power and the way he can hold the point of attack on the interior. Reddick, meanwhile, is tied for 15th among edge rushers in quarterback pressures over the last two seasons (99).”
2022 NFL defensive line rankings: Los Angeles Rams take top spot, Tampa Bay Buccaneers land at No. 5
The Eagles lack a bonafide star along their defensive front, but they make up for it with tremendous depth, which PFF eludes to.
At defensive tackle, they run four deep. Fletcher Cox and Jordan Davis will probably take the majority of snaps on early downs, while Javon Hargrave and Milton Williams sub in on third downs and clear passing situations.
Along the edge, Jonathan Gannon has four guys that he can count on. Brandon Graham, Haason Reddick, Josh Sweat, and Derek Barnett are all more than capable pass rushers. Reddick isn’t technically listed as a defensive end, but getting after the passer will be his primary role.
Having a stud along the defensive line is great, but having great depth at every position may be more valuable in today’s NFL. Keeping Cox and Graham fresh all season will be huge for this defense’s success. With the amount of solid players at both positions, this shouldn’t be an issue.
If PFF’s offseason rankings are an indication of what’s to come during the 2022 season, the Eagles will be in good shape.
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