Vikings at Eagles Depth Chart Preview 2022
After the first game of the new regime was a roaring success, the Vikings have a MNF battle with the Eagles. With the NFC looking weaker than usual, this matchup could have implications come playoff time. Could the Vikings get off to a 2-0 start with wins against two 2021 playoff teams?
Line: Eagles -2.5
SuperSim Calculated Line: Eagles -1.5
Injury Report
Eagles
none
Vikings
CB Booth Jr. - Out
*My Thoughts*
I'm very high on the Eagles this year, and you can see that by the amount of green on their depth chart. One issue is that while the roster doesn't have any glaring issues, they also lack stars / players with game-breaking talent. Thankfully for them they landed AJ Brown, a top 10 receiver who when healthy is a beast and worth more than just the single 1st round pick they flipped for him. Now Hurts has a solid set of weapons to throw to, including the lightweight Devonta Smith, underrated Dallas Goedert, and the occasional deep threat Quez Watkins. Add in Hurts' ability to break off runs (scoring a whopping 10 TDs last year), it just adds another weapon and should make them a very competent redzone team. The running game is fine, as Sanders has never quite lived up to his billing but he is very efficient with the touches he gets. Gainwell is competent in the passing game but underwhelming between the tackles, while the 5' 6" Boston Scott is curiously used as their goal line back (7 TDs last year).
The ceiling on this offense will rely on Hurts' ability to develop as a passer and become more than just a first-read QB. He will be helped by an offensive line which is ranked by some sites as the best in the NFL. Jordan Mailata, a former 7th rounder born in Australia, has been a relevation that was much needed after Jason Peters moving on and 1st rounder Andre Dillard busting. His play at LT has allowed Lane Johnson to stay at RT - he seems poised to go down as one of the best RTs of this era of football. LG Dickerson is a sophomore 2nd rounder whose main concern was injuries, but so far has been a successful starter, though he's been questionable as a pass blocker. Kelce is still balling out despite turning 35 soon, and is a monster as a run blocker. Seumalo is the weakest link, but he was on pace to have a career year in 2021 before an injury ended his season. Most teams would love to have a guy like him as the 'worst'.
Defensively, the Eagles should be better than they were last week, as the Lions posted 35 points, 181 rushing yards, and only allowed one sack. They also lost DE Derek Barnett (who was slated to be more of a rotational guy than a starter), and now their pass rush looks to be vulnerable. Graham and Sweat make a nice duo but they could use more firepower. On the bench they only have unproven talent, but that is not the case at DT. Cox may be past his prime and doesn't defend against the run as well as he used to, but he is still a credible pass rusher. Javon Hargrave, meanwhile, has also become a much better pass rusher than run stuffer since coming over from Pittsburgh. That leaves 1st rounder Jordan Davis, a freakish athlete with insane upside, but as of now there is no tape of him being a consistent pressure creator. For now, he'll just stuff the run effectively.
Philly's linebackers have been questionable for a few years, but they've tried to address it recently. TJ Edwards is a UDFA holdover who total 130 combined tackles last year, earning PFF's praises. Meanwhile they've added Kyzir White, a solid 3-4 ILB from the Chargers, and Haason Reddick, a 10+ sack LB the past two seasons despite not being a 3-4 OLB. Reddick had zero pressures vs the Lions, but I assume he is part of the plan to generate a pass rush. They also spent a 3rd rounder on Nakobe Dean, a player that many draftniks had a 1st round grade on - he may factor into their plans soon.
The Eagles' CB room looks good on paper - Darius Slay and James Bradberry have both been #1 CBs in their prime, but as they've aged, they've been a bit up and down. Avonte Maddox is an underrated slot CB who is one of the better ones out there. At safety, the Eagles opted to axe Anthony Harris and are giving former Viking Marcus Epps a full-time role. They then traded for CJ Gardner-Johnson, a hybrid SS/slot CB. PFF hasn't loved him, but he's a splashy playmaker who will have some lapses in coverage.
Prediction: Eagles 28, Vikings 23
Despite their thrashing of the Packers, I think the Vikings will run into some problems against this Philly defense on the road. Meanwhile, I have concerns with our run defense trying to handle the multi-layered Philly run game lead by a beastly O-line.
That's all I've got, any thoughts?
Other Vikings at Eagles content this week:
Purple Path Forward - Pluck the Eagles
Week 2 - Vikings at Eagles Matchup by the Numbers
Line: Eagles -2.5
SuperSim Calculated Line: Eagles -1.5
Injury Report
Eagles
none
Vikings
CB Booth Jr. - Out
*My Thoughts*
I'm very high on the Eagles this year, and you can see that by the amount of green on their depth chart. One issue is that while the roster doesn't have any glaring issues, they also lack stars / players with game-breaking talent. Thankfully for them they landed AJ Brown, a top 10 receiver who when healthy is a beast and worth more than just the single 1st round pick they flipped for him. Now Hurts has a solid set of weapons to throw to, including the lightweight Devonta Smith, underrated Dallas Goedert, and the occasional deep threat Quez Watkins. Add in Hurts' ability to break off runs (scoring a whopping 10 TDs last year), it just adds another weapon and should make them a very competent redzone team. The running game is fine, as Sanders has never quite lived up to his billing but he is very efficient with the touches he gets. Gainwell is competent in the passing game but underwhelming between the tackles, while the 5' 6" Boston Scott is curiously used as their goal line back (7 TDs last year).
The ceiling on this offense will rely on Hurts' ability to develop as a passer and become more than just a first-read QB. He will be helped by an offensive line which is ranked by some sites as the best in the NFL. Jordan Mailata, a former 7th rounder born in Australia, has been a relevation that was much needed after Jason Peters moving on and 1st rounder Andre Dillard busting. His play at LT has allowed Lane Johnson to stay at RT - he seems poised to go down as one of the best RTs of this era of football. LG Dickerson is a sophomore 2nd rounder whose main concern was injuries, but so far has been a successful starter, though he's been questionable as a pass blocker. Kelce is still balling out despite turning 35 soon, and is a monster as a run blocker. Seumalo is the weakest link, but he was on pace to have a career year in 2021 before an injury ended his season. Most teams would love to have a guy like him as the 'worst'.
Defensively, the Eagles should be better than they were last week, as the Lions posted 35 points, 181 rushing yards, and only allowed one sack. They also lost DE Derek Barnett (who was slated to be more of a rotational guy than a starter), and now their pass rush looks to be vulnerable. Graham and Sweat make a nice duo but they could use more firepower. On the bench they only have unproven talent, but that is not the case at DT. Cox may be past his prime and doesn't defend against the run as well as he used to, but he is still a credible pass rusher. Javon Hargrave, meanwhile, has also become a much better pass rusher than run stuffer since coming over from Pittsburgh. That leaves 1st rounder Jordan Davis, a freakish athlete with insane upside, but as of now there is no tape of him being a consistent pressure creator. For now, he'll just stuff the run effectively.
Philly's linebackers have been questionable for a few years, but they've tried to address it recently. TJ Edwards is a UDFA holdover who total 130 combined tackles last year, earning PFF's praises. Meanwhile they've added Kyzir White, a solid 3-4 ILB from the Chargers, and Haason Reddick, a 10+ sack LB the past two seasons despite not being a 3-4 OLB. Reddick had zero pressures vs the Lions, but I assume he is part of the plan to generate a pass rush. They also spent a 3rd rounder on Nakobe Dean, a player that many draftniks had a 1st round grade on - he may factor into their plans soon.
The Eagles' CB room looks good on paper - Darius Slay and James Bradberry have both been #1 CBs in their prime, but as they've aged, they've been a bit up and down. Avonte Maddox is an underrated slot CB who is one of the better ones out there. At safety, the Eagles opted to axe Anthony Harris and are giving former Viking Marcus Epps a full-time role. They then traded for CJ Gardner-Johnson, a hybrid SS/slot CB. PFF hasn't loved him, but he's a splashy playmaker who will have some lapses in coverage.
Prediction: Eagles 28, Vikings 23
Despite their thrashing of the Packers, I think the Vikings will run into some problems against this Philly defense on the road. Meanwhile, I have concerns with our run defense trying to handle the multi-layered Philly run game lead by a beastly O-line.
That's all I've got, any thoughts?
Other Vikings at Eagles content this week:
Purple Path Forward - Pluck the Eagles
Week 2 - Vikings at Eagles Matchup by the Numbers
