Today the Eagles announced their initial 53-man roster for the 2020 season. From that list, two noticeable players were left off of it -- 2017 draft picks Sidney Jones and Rasul Douglas.
Just three years removed from that draft, the Eagles have only two players remaining from the 2017 eight-player draft class -- Derek Barnett and Nate Gerry. That is inexcusable incompetence from the front office. The 2017 class rivals the 2014 draft class (highlighted only by Jordan Matthews) and the 2011 draft class (highlighted only by Jason Kelce) for the worst Eagles draft class in the 21st century, and possibly the worst in team history.
2017 isn't the only problematic draft class under Howie Roseman. 2018's draft class has only produced one solid contributor so far in Dallas Goedert. 2019's draft class is highlighted by Miles Sanders, but the rest of that class isn't looking hot right now. If the Eagles were able to hit on just a few more players from these past three drafts, there's a chance they could have repeat as Super Bowl champions in 2018, or maybe have a deeper playoff run in 2019. Fans can thank Doug Pederson and the rest of his coaching staff for getting the best out of the players he has been given. If the team had an average coaching staff these past few seasons, they would have likely missed the playoffs in 2018 and 2019.
Thankfully, the 2020 draft class is showing some promise, and with a total of 10 players a part of that class there should hopefully be at least a few solid contributors. With Joe Douglas no longer in Philadelphia, Howie Roseman wasn't influenced by him in this draft. We will be able to get a better idea of just how well (or how poorly) Roseman can draft. If this draft class has some skills, then Pederson and his staff will finally have an infusion of talent they can use to take this team to the next level.
