Featuring the highest of highs and the lowest of lows, the Philadelphia Eagles had a truly unique 2023. The calendar year began on the sport’s biggest stage with confetti falling on the opposition Chiefs in Super Bowl LVII.
The Eagles emerged from their championship appearance with a newfound resolve to avenge their Lombardi loss. They stormed through their initial schedule, amassing a 10-1 record and looking like a real contender.
Then the wheels completely fell off.
After a thrilling Week 12 overtime victory against the Buffalo Bills, the Eagles were completely embarrassed by the San Francisco 49ers just a week later. Thus began a three-game losing streak, and though they would rebound to defeat the rival Giants in Week 16, the team never quite regained its mojo.
Limping into the playoffs with a 1-5 record on the backend of their season, the Eagles were easily dispatched by the upstart Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The sun set on the careers of franchise stalwarts Jason Kelce and Fletcher Cox as leadership questions abound. Who would fill the void of these great players? Was Nick Sirianni the right coach to lead the team into the future? And what exactly happened that saw such a promising season fizzle out so pitifully?
Ultimately, Sirianni was permitted to stay on for another season. However, the coaching staff was heavily remodeled—headlined by the addition of well-established coordinators Kellen Moore (OC) and Vic Fangio (DC).
Never one to take adversity lying down, renowned GM Howie Roseman also hit the ground running once free agency opened. Roseman made his biggest splash by courting Saquon Barkley out of the Big Apple.
Between the scheme changes and the new faces in town, there is a palpable optimism about the Eagles. However, uncertainty remains as well. Will the Eagles soar, or will there be a hangover from the meltdown that ended their 2023 installment?
Perhaps a positional breakdown can provide the answer.
QUARTERBACKS
Jalen Hurts
Because of how the season ended, much attention has been paid to the quarterback. People want answers, so intangibles like leadership and body language are overanalyzed. Jalen Hurts is even-keeled and stoic. He doesn’t get too high, and he doesn’t get too low. That can read as alarming indifference when the bottom is falling out, as it did last season.
You can argue whether Hurts sufficiently rallies his teammates when the chips are down. What you can’t debate are Hurts’ statistical achievements. He has successfully improved his season totals year over year in the categories of passing yards, passing touchdowns, and rushing touchdowns for each of his first four NFL seasons. That puts his floor at around 3,800 passing yards and 38 total scores for the 2024 season. All at the ripe old age of 26!
Hurts is among the elite quarterbacks currently available as a fantasy option. He has eclipsed an average of 21 fantasy points per game in each of the last three seasons. Hurts’ rushing ability gives him big-play potential, and he is an eminently capable passer, which allows for a solid floor. He’s a Top-3 player positionally and comes with that price tag.
Next Man Up
It’s an old cliche that the backup quarterback is often the most popular man in town. A franchise that rode a second-stringer all the way to its lone Lombardi trophy knows all too well the importance of passer depth. That’s why the Eagles’ brass prioritized a trade for former first-rounder Kenny Pickett from the cross-state Steelers during a frenzied free agency period.
Pickett will look to resurrect his career prospects after a rough couple of years in Pittsburgh. He still possesses the size and athleticism that got the attention of scouts during the draft process. A change of scenery can sometimes do wonders, and spending some instructional time under OC Kellen Moore may be just what the doctor ordered for Pickett. His status as a backup makes him a nice deep stash candidate, particularly as a handcuff to Hurts, who has missed time in two of the last three seasons.
RUNNING BACKS
Saquon Barkley
After a one-year cup of coffee with the Eagles, D’Andre Swift took his talents to Chicago, signing a three-year, $24-million deal with the Bears. To fill this vacancy, the Eagles recruited a familiar foe from the rival Giants by locking up Saquon Barkley.
The splashiest move of Philly’s free agency is also one of great substance. Sure, it excited the fans and provided great fodder for sports radio. But beneath all that hype, there’s real reason for optimism.
The Moore scheme is centered around a strong rushing attack. Reports out of Philadephia say that Barkley was targeted in free agency as a true three-down rusher to showcase in this system. Increased pre-snap motion and under-center concepts have the potential to truly unlock Barkley’s vast potential.
Then there’s the issue of offensive line play. Despite New York’s historically poor line play, Barkley has finished as a Top-10 PPR back in three of the last five seasons. In moving to the Eagles, Barkley will see a huge boost in his surrounding cast. A recent overview from Pro Football Network ranked Philadelphia as the NFL’s top offensive line heading into 2024.
Whether it’s scheme fit, usage, or offensive line play, there are plenty of reasons to suspect that we are about to see the best of Saquon Barkley in 2024. He’s coming off the board as the seventh overall running back, and that’s not reflective of all that stands to boost his value. Get him at the current pricing while you still can.
Next Man Up
With everything that I just outlined about Barkley, the truth of the matter is that the Eagles’ rushing depth options aren’t likely to matter from a fantasy standpoint. Barkley is simply going to dominate the touches too heavily for anyone else to be relevant. The slightly undersized Kenny Gainwell has proven to be deceptively effective in short-yardage and goalline situations. And thus, “Kenny G” may net you an occasional score if you find yourself desperate.
Rookie Will Shipley makes a compelling long-term investment so long as you don’t expect an immediate return. Barring injury to Barkley, these players are roster cloggers that should be held only in the deepest of leagues.
WIDE RECEIVERS
A.J. Brown
Another season in Philadelphia, another Pro Bowl for A.J. Brown. In 2023, Brown finished with a robust 106 receptions, a career-high, and was within 40 yards of matching his previous season’s output in receiving yards. His touchdowns slipped from 11 to 7, but he was otherwise productive enough to finish as a WR1 in fantasy points per game for the second consecutive year. Brown has plus athleticism and a burly physique that makes it nearly impossible to guard him, particularly on tight, in-breaking routes. The guy is a stud; plain and simple. And given that he is still in his prime at only 27 years old, you should value him as such.
DeVonta Smith
Often overshadowed by Brown is Philadelphia’s “Skinny Batman,” DeVonta Smith. But discount Smith at your own peril. He is a dominant wideout in his own right, and the proof is in the numbers. In 2023, Smith finished with his second consecutive season with 1,000-plus yards. From Week 9 through Week 17 of the NFL’s stretch run, Smith had the 12th most fantasy points, outpacing teammate A.J. Brown.
DeVonta Smith has been a model of consistency, averaging 1,059 yards per season and missing only two total games in three seasons. I appraise Smith as having a WR2 floor with WR1 upside. He is currently priced at that level with a Nerd’s ADP of WR13 overall. It’s a fair valuation for the player but certainly not one with any sort of discount to exploit.
Next Man Up
For several seasons, the Eagles have struggled to establish a consistent and effective presence from their third wideout. With such a top-heavy depth chart, it’s no surprise. However, it’s also clearly a point of focus for the franchise. Having a viable threat in the slot would take some of the heat off of their top tandem.
In free agency, the Eagles brought in Parris Campbell as a candidate to fill that role. A former second-round pick of the Colts, he has shown flashes over his career, but injuries have kept consistency at bay. Campbell was once profiled as a dynamic prospect with tremendously “twitchy” agility, and that sort of skill set could make him a sneaky play in an already potent Philadelphia offense. He’s essentially free in terms of fantasy value, so if you have a spare roster spot, he may be worth a stash. Just temper your expectations.
TIGHT ENDS
Dallas Goedert
With the emergence of young tight end talent in the league, Dallas Goedert is no longer talked about in the top pantheon of the position. However, is this blind eye warranted? In 2023, Goedert averaged 9.7 points per game in PPR formats. This mark was not only 12th among tight ends but also more than fantasy darlings Dalton Kincaid (9.4) and Kyle Pitts (8.1). A model of consistency, Goedert has hauled in between 46 and 59 receptions in each of the last 5 seasons.
Schematically, Goedert expects the Kellen Moore system to work to his advantage. In speaking with Jeff Neiburg of the Philadelphia Inquirer, Goedert recently said, “I’m really excited for how he uses the tight end and how he feels like they can be a big part of the offense…”. With so many fantasy owners willing to overlook Goedert, he makes for an ideal investment opportunity. He has a rock-solid floor and the potential to put up big numbers in 2024 and beyond.
Next Man Up
Much like the running back room, unless you hold the starter, you probably want no part of the tight ends on the Eagles for fantasy. Philadelphia did bring in veteran C.J. Uzomah, who popped most recently when he hauled in five scores and approached 500 yards while paired with Joe Burrow in 2021. Though he could never quite replicate that success in the last two seasons with the Jets, Uzomah would be a spicy waiver wire pickup if Goedert were to miss significant time. Move tight ends Grant Calcaterra and Albert Okwuegbunam round out the depth chart. Each has some flash to his game. However, they both need to play their way onto the roster. Thus, immediate significant statistical contributions are unlikely.
SUMMARY
From a raw talent perspective, the Eagles’ skill position group rivals almost any other in the league. From passer to backs to receivers, they have top-5-level talent across the board. Thus, Philadelphia has all the hallmarks of a powerhouse team and is expected to contend for a championship in 2024.
What’s enigmatic about that is how downright pitiful this same roster looked as it whimpered across the finish line of a once-promising 2023. The league’s supposed top offensive line could not stop blitz pressure of any sort. And armed with all of their impressive weaponry, the Eagles could barely collect the occasional first down, let alone put together a scoring drive.
Which Eagles team will we see in 2024? Perhaps it’s naive of me, but I believe that Philadelphia will rebound from their embarrassing finish. They have added key pieces, most notably star running back Saquon Barkley.
The Eagles have also embraced new ideas by replacing both coordinators with acclaimed assistant coaches. Offensively, Kellen Moore has both the expertise and power to revamp a stalled offensive attack. His track record alone is cause for optimism.
There can be no debate about the quality of talent at Moore’s disposal. So if you believe, like I do, that the Eagles are on the threshold of a turnaround, you’ll want to invest. For fantasy, Barkley and Goedert represent the best discount “buy” opportunities for this roster. However, even if you pay up for guys like Jalen Hurts, A.J. Brown, or DeVonta Smith, I do not feel you can go wrong.
Get some Birds on your roster and watch your dynasty squad soar to a championship.
In Closing…
I thoroughly enjoyed bringing you this piece and would love to continue the conversation on the 2024 Philadelphia Eagles. Please feel free to comment below or contact me @Spydes78 on Twitter. Stay tuned to @DynastyNerds for a steady pipeline of content from our eminently qualified staff to carry you through your offseason. If you like what you read, please consider becoming a subscriber to any of the elite tools that Dynasty Nerds has to offer. Make sure to use the promo code “SPYDES” to receive a 15% discount. Thanks for reading and enjoy the grind!
