2014 Record: 10-6
2015 Non Division Opponents: NFL South, AFC East, Detroit, & Arizona
2014 in review: Year two of Chip Kelly was as wild as year one, but let’s be honest. What happened in 2014 has no bearing on the Eagles in 2015.
2015 offseason: The Eagles quarterback? Gone. Leading rusher? Gone. Leading receiver? Gone. It was a crazy offseason in the city of Brotherly Love. As it was happening, people were openly calling Chip Kelly insane for his moves. The trade of McCoy was the one everyone focused on, but it all worked out for Kelly and the Eagles when DeMarco Murray did not get the huge payday he wanted and signed with Philadelphia. Murray is a different back than McCoy and can handle the inside runs while Darren Sproles handles the catches out of the backfield. Ryan Matthews is also in the backfield now so it will be a little crowded until Matthews inevitably gets hurt in week four.
The Nick Foles for Sam Bradford trade has been analyzed to death already. Foles thrived under Kelly in year one, but went from a 27/2 TD/INT ratio in 2013 to 13/10 in 2014. The hope is that Bradford stays healthy, but it’s clear that Kelly had soured on Foles.
While we will see how all these moves play out, it has been decided by most that signing Byron Maxwell to a $63 million dollar contract was a terrible decision. Maxwell was buried on the depth chart in Seattle and is now the # 1 CB in Philadelphia. It remains to be seen if he can effectively stick Dez Bryant, Desean Jackson, or Odell Beckham Jr. Most think he cannot.
2015 draft: First round pick Nelson Agholor out of USC is already atop the depth chart at wide receiver. Second round pick Eric Rowe is the projected starting cornerback opposite of the aforementioned Byron Maxwell. Kelly has no qualms about throwing rookies right into the mix.
Player on the hot seat: its obvious here that the only person on the hot seat is Chip Kelly. If any of the players struggle, it’s going to fall on Kelly as he was the one who made all of the moves. Kelly is the drunken guy in your fantasy league who likes to have a good time.
Players you want on your fantasy team: You really want anyone in this offense. Yes, DeMarco Murray may break down after the heavy load Dallas put him through last year, but would you doubt him? With the high octane offense the Eagles use, it’s going to be more big runs for Murray as opposed to constantly pounding short ones. Sproles will be excellent in PPR leagues. Bradford (much like any quarterback) could thrive under this system. The health is your biggest gamble with him. Agholor is already a huge fantasy sleeper, but let someone else nab him and take Jordan Matthews two rounds later.
Season Prediction: With so many moves, anything from 2 to 13 wins is possible for the Eagles this year. Chip Kelly isn’t doing this the conventional way, and he loves that. So far in his two years, he’s made all the right moves. So he gets the benefit of the doubt here. SFTB prediction