The Top 5 Offseason Needs for the Birds

1. Saftey

 Right now, Chung, Coleman and Wolf are signed for the 2014 season, while Nate Allen and special teams ace Colt Anderson are free agents.  Unless Howie was watching something else, there is little chance Chung returns to the team next season. He was absolutely horrendous both in coverage and in run support. Earl Wolff showed promise in 2013 but had a difficult time staying on the field. Kurt Coleman is nothing more than depth and has no business playing meaningful snaps on a good team. And Free Agent to be Nate Allen had his best season as an Eagle. He finished 3rd on the team in tackles and led Eagle safeties in passes defended. 

The Eagles have been looking for a play-making safety ever since they left #20 walk out of hte door. They have tried to fix the problem through the draft (Allen and Jarret) and bargain free agents but have had little success. I believe they need to sign/draft an impact saftey, resign Allen and then let Allen and Wolff battle it out for the other spot. 

Possible FA Accusitions: Jaruis Byrd, TJ Ward
Draft: Haha Clinton-Dix, Calvin Pryor

2. Wide Reciver

At first glance you may find it odd to have WR this high. But I'm going by a roster of players signed for the 2014 season. And right now that list is just Jackson, Avant, Benn, Johnson and Maehl. Then you add potential drama if Jackson wants a new contract and this jumps to top.  If both Cooper and Maclin are both resigned and Jackson remains quiet, then this is a non-issue.
I would like to see both Cooper and Maclin return and give Foles a great trio of WR.

 While I think that Cooper was greatly aided by Chip Kelly's system, I think it would be stupid to let your young QB's favorite target walk out the door. It's tough to gauge Coopers value on free agency, he had a career year and has a great combo of size and speed but will team's shy away because of his off-season comments? I would be surprised to see Maclin get a a multi year deal. He will likely take a 1 year deal and try to prove he is healthy before hitting FA. I can't help but think Maclin watched the 2013 offense and dreamed about the numbers he could put up in this high pace offesne. I can't see a better situtation for him to reestablish his value in this league. 

3. Outside Linebacker (Rushing)

The lack of a steady pass rush reared its ugly head in the Wild Card round loss to the Saints. Two time Pro Bowl Defensive End Trent Cole tried to make the transition to LB, while he had 8 sacks it was evident that he its not the best way to use him. With his cap number and age going up, its important that they find a long term replacemnt for the QB Hunter (Or Bear Hunter). Former 1st round pick Brandon Grahm can get to the QB but is better suited as  a 4-3 End as opposed to a 3-4 backer. 

Trent is still a great leader and was a huge asset against the run this season but there isn't much depth behind him. I'm assuming the Eagles end up trading Graham to a 4-3 team (5th round pick) and this leaves a capping hole. For any 3-4 defense to be effective, they must be able to get consitent rush from outside. The Eagles may have trouble finding one because pass rushers are on high demand with how pass happy the NFL has become. I would expect the Eagles to use a pick in the first 2 round on there pass rusher of the future. 

Possible Draft Picks: Kyle Van Noy, Trent Murphy, Dee Ford

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4. Nose Tackle

This is another weak spot that was magnified against the Saints. Last off-season the Eagles tried to address this problem by signing Issac Sopoaga during FA and drafting Bennie Logan in the 3rd round. Sopoago under-performed and was shipped to New England at the deadline to give playing time to Logan. The former LSU Tiger played well at times but doesn't have the size needed to shut down the running game. I believe Logan is better suited to rotate inside on passing downs and play Defensive End on rushing downs. 

After Outside backer, this may be the most important position in the 3-4 defense. An anchor in the middle of the defense who plug the whole in the middle and take on multiple blockers would do wonders for this defense. If Louis Nix from Notre Dame where to fall to the Birds at 22, I would love for them to take him. But there are also plenty of options for the Eagles in Free Agency

Possible Free Agents: Linval Joseph, BJ Raji, Terrence Cody
Possible Draft Picks: Louis Nix, Danquen Jones, Dan McCullers 

5. CornerBack

I don't think this is a pressing need, but it is a position they could improve in. Fletcher and Williams both played pretty well in there first year with the Birds. I love the attitude and tough mentality that Williams brought to this defense. It is something that they have been missing for years! Brandon Boykin burst on the scene and was arguably the best slot corner in the game this season. His game ending INT to clinch the division was a icing on the cake on top of a fantastic sophomore campaign. 

While Flether and Williams are OK on the outside, a stud shutdown corner wouldn't hurt in a division with Dez Bryant, Victor Cruz and Pierre Garcon. With 2 stable veterans already on board, I can't see the Birds investing any money on corner in free agency, but drafting a young corner in the 1st 3 round wouldn't be out of the question. 

Possible Draft Picks: Darqueze Denard, Loucheiz Purifoy, Stanley Jean-Baptiste

Scott Glick