Every season, a handful of players can help take a team to the next level. While every player will play a pivotal role in the success of the team, we will take a look at five players who will need to have stellar seasons for the Eagles to make a deep run in the playoff, and we all hope, the Super Bowl.
5) Darius Slay (CB)
The biggest offseason acquisition for the Eagles, Slay will need to be the anchor of the defense in 2020. He will be expected to match up every week against the best receivers in the league. Last year's secondary gave up 11 touchdowns of over 30 yards passing and were unable to lockdown team's number one receiver. It was obvious every week last season that Philadelphia needed a true No. 1 at cornerback, and it seems we have that in Slay. He just has to produce.
4) Jalen Mills (S)
The "Green Goblin" makes the switch from cornerback to safety this season. While K'Von Wallace learns during his rookie season, the Eagles need Mills to learn his new role quickly and produce. The loss of Malcolm Jenkins in the offseason amplifies his new duties with the need for a vocal leader on the defense. Mills has seemed to accept this new role at training camp, but his voice will not matter if he can't produce on the field.
3) Avonte Maddox (CB)
Maddox seems to be the favorite to win the number two spot at corner. He's had a solid training camp thus far and will look to lock down receivers opposite of Slay. If Slay performs well and truly is a lockdown corner week in and week out, opposing quarterbacks will look to throw the ball the other way. If Maddox is playing well, the defensive line will have plenty of time to get to the opposing quarterback and give offensive coordinators fits.
2) Whoever Plays Left Tackle
This position as a whole nearly topped the list. With Andre Dillard out for the season, the Eagles have remained quiet on who is next in line for the left tackle spot. While the easy choice would be Jason Peters, it might be time to give someone else a chance, especially with Peters wanting more money to play that position. Matt Pryor did not look good against Josh Sweat in a recent scrimmage. Jordan Mailata may or may not be ready to start in the NFL. Rookie Jack Driscoll is well, a rookie. Whoever gets the nod will have a short leash, especially with Carson Wentz's injury history.
1) Carson Wentz (QB)
Speaking of Wentz, there is nobody more important to the team's success than the Eagles' fifth-year quarterback. Coming off a season where he put the team on his back and led them to the playoffs only to be knocked out with a concussion, all eyes are on Wentz to not only lead the team back to the playoffs, but finish a season without an injury. This team will not make the playoffs without Wentz behind center. He will need to clean up his fumbles and put up similar numbers to last season for the Birds to have a chance.
