Philadelphia Eagles 25.2 PPG, Sacks 43: Tied 19th

The 2023 Philadelphia Eagles started just as hot as they ended their 2022 Conference champion season. However, they crashed like a lead zeppelin to end their season, and their defense was atrocious. Somehow they made it to the playoffs where they were defeated by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The Eagles allowed 25.2 points per game, and had 43 sacks, much of the sacks coming in the first ten weeks. The defense became exposed and the Eagles looked tired in all three phases of their game. The stats do not bode well for teams that make it to a Super Bowl and lose, the 2023 Eagles were not an exception to the rule. A new era begins in 2024 though, and with it a chance for improvement.

2024 Projection: 22

There were some bright spots on the defense, including Haason Reddick and Reed Blankenship. Jalen Carter flashed potential of being an excellent first round pick and Nakobe Dean and Nolan Smith Jr. are on rookie contracts and should improve this season. Overall the 30th ranked defense was not what Philadelphia wanted, and Vic Fangio was brought in to change that.

A bump up eight spots will be difficult but a rejuvenated Devin White should help. Also 5 first round Philadelphia draft picks, ranging from 2010 to 2024 should help, as well as a deep defensive line. They will improve their sack count with fresh young legs, and good coverage. There are playmakers at all three levels of this defense, and a few IDPs worth monitoring for fantasy leagues.

BEST FF IDPs: In Order of Ranking

LB – Devin White
DB – Reed Blankenship
DL – Jalen Carter

Devin White was the crown of Tampa Bay, and was in line to take the torch from LaVonte David, but instead he put up the worst statistics of his career. That plus a few behind the scenes altercations put him with the Philadelphia Eagles for 2024. A new start can be a good thing, and he has an excellent defensive line in front of him.

A return to the 120+ tackling machine is what fantasy football managers should expect this season. After all, in five years he has amassed 566 combined tackles, 64 quarterback hits, 23 sacks, 21 passes defended, 9 fumble recoveries, 3 interceptions, and 2 touchdowns.

White’s draft stock has taken a hit and that is understandable, but foolish. He has as high a ceiling as any linebacker and with Vic Fangio could have his best regular season statistics. White should be somewhere near the tenth to twentieth linebacker selected in standard leagues. In leagues which require two linebackers his overall draft value increases, and reaching for him is not a bad idea.

Reed Blankenship turned some heads last year with a great statistical season. 113 combined tackles, 11 passes defended, 3 interceptions, and 1 fumble recovery. The third year player is still getting better too, and could improve on what were great marks for a second year safety. 

Vic Fangio has helped safeties have career year numbers, and the same could hold true for Blankenship. He is still on a rookie contract, and playing in a very competitive conference where some still view the Philadelphia Eagles as the top team. As many great skilled players as there are on other side of the ball, losing a longtime center is going to impact any offense. When that center is future Hall of Fame member Jason Kelce (who called audibles and protections for Jalen Hurts) is the center leaving, there will be an adjustment period. 

Blankenship is drafted late if at all in standard IDP leagues, but he does have value. In leagues with two or more defensive back requirements, multiple IDP flex leagues, and IDP leagues with deep benches he is worth a draft pick. Any defensive back with 100 or more tackles and 10 or more passes defended is a great IDP to have on a roster.

Jalen Carter had a very successful rookie campaign, despite only starting one football game. The most eye popping stat is that he was the NFL’s co-leader of fumble recoveries for a touchdown. He also earned 33 combined tackles, 9 quarterback hits, 8 tackles for loss, 6 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, and the mentioned fumble recovery for a touchdown. This all achieved while sharing time in what was the deepest defensive linemen in 2023.

Now Vic Fangio is calling the shots, and Carter will be a starter. Those two alone will improve his numbers, not to mention he is still young and adapting to the NFL. Meanwhile offensive linemen will adjust to Carter who is arguably the most athletic 6’ 3” 300+ pound player in the league.

Carter may not warrant a draft pick in standard leagues, but he should have weeks he destroys bad guards/tackles, and back up linemen. If in deep leagues with room to spare, put him on the bench with a draft pick. In leagues in which true defensive tackles are required his value goes up immensely. He could finish as a top five fantasy player at the true defensive tackle position. 

Tomorrow the Arizona Cardinals.

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Bet Smart, Be Lucky – Iggy

All statistics come from pro-football-reference and Sleeperbot.