ESPN ranks Eagles' projected starting lineup as second best in the NFL

After winning a Super Bowl, it's borderline impossible to bring everybody back from that roster, especially starters. The Eagles tried their best to do that during the offseason, but ultimately lost five starters from what is considered their best team in franchise history. Despite some of the losses, the Eagles' core remained intact, especially on offense, where Mekhi Becton was the only starter to leave. 

It's hard to deny the Eagles' talent. Monday, ESPN analysts Mike Clay, Aaron Schatz and Seth Walder ranked the Eagles' projected starting lineup as the second-best in the league, only behind the Baltimore Ravens. Rounding out the top five was the Detroit Lions at No. 3, the Buffalo Bills at No. 4 and the Kansas City Chiefs at No. 5. 

The article detailed each team's biggest strength, weakness, X-factor and non-starter to know for the season. 

According to Clay, the Eagles' biggest strength is its offensive tackles, saying this about the group:

"The defending champs have many strengths, but it's tough to beat arguably the league's best tackle duo, with Jordan Mailata manning the left side and Lane Johnson on the right. Mailata ranked among the top tackles in PFF grade, pass block win rate and run block win rate in both 2023 and 2024. Johnson is 35 years old, but hasn't lost a step, ranking top 10 among tackles in pass and run block win rate last season."

As Clay alluded to, he could've gone many ways with that decision. Having Saquon Barkley makes running back an option, but Barkley does benefit greatly from Johnson and Mailata's presence. A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith certainly have an argument as one of the best receiving duo in the league as well.

As for the Eagles' biggest weakness, Clay pointed to their edge rushers.

"Josh Sweat (free agency), Brandon Graham (retirement) and Bryce Huff (trade) are all gone, leaving Nolan Smith Jr. as the only established player on the depth chart. Smith is likely to be joined in the starting lineup by 2024 third-rounder Jalyx Hunt, who was a solid backup as a rookie. Offseason additions/journeymen Azeez Ojulari and Joshua Uche will compete for work."

Clay's reasoning here is pretty spot on. Edge rusher has been a question mark all offseason, especially with the production the Eagles lost from last season. If Smith has a drop-off in production, the Eagles could struggle to get to quarterbacks. 

Walder said the X-Factor for the Eagles is their guards, mainly right guard. With Becton gone, that void will likely be filled by Tyler Steen, who's in his third year with the Eagles. Kenyon Green is also a possibility, but Steen's previous experience with the Eagles gives him the edge.

Kelee Ringo was named by Walder as a non-starter to know. Right now, ESPN projects Adoree Jackson will start as the third cornerback alongside Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean, instead of Ringo. That could change if the 29-year-old Jackson struggles. The Eagles spent a fourth-round pick on Ringo in 2023 and he's still only 23. 

Scrolling down the rankings, the next closest NFC East team to the Eagles is the Washington Commanders at No. 7. That's a pretty bold ranking, but the Commanders' veteran presences — along with second-year quarterback Jayden Daniels — carry a lot of weight. 

The Dallas Cowboys find themselves in the bottom half at No. 18, which might even be a little too low. However, it's not a surprise to see the New York Giants all the way down at No. 26.

Overall, ESPN's analysis was pretty accurate. Could the Eagles have been No. 1? Of course. Is anyone going to fret over them not having the top spot? Probably, but that shouldn't be much of a concern. Nothing they wrote was egregious at all.

They stated the obvious. The Eagles still have one of the best rosters in the NFL. Even their biggest rivals struggle to dispute that.