Middle Linebacker

Andy Reid has never put great value in the linebacker position and it showed last season. Their linebacker play was awful. If Andy Reid is smart, he’ll draft a good linebacker like Luke Kuechly at 15. His job is on the line.

Outside Linebacker

One upgrade at linebacker is not enough, only Brian Rolle was even average for them at linebacker last year and they tried so many different options. With 3 picks in the first 2 rounds, it wouldn’t surprise me to see 2 of them used on linebackers, even though that not how Andy Reid does things.

Cornerback

Asante Samuel won’t be back next season. It’s just a question of what they could get for him in a trade. There was serious interest from the Lions for him, but they refused to include their first round pick. He’ll be moved. However, that leaves them with just Dominique Rodgers Cromartie after Nnamdi Asomugha. DRC had a disappointing year last year and that was in the slot. The former first round pick has only had one good season as a pro so they shouldn’t feel safe with him as their #2 cornerback next year.

 

Wide Receiver

DeSean Jackson is expected to be franchise tagged, but only because the Eagles don’t want to let him go for nothing. They’ll see what they can get for him in a trade and I still don’t expect him to be back with the team. Unless they think Riley Cooper is a capable starter, they’ll try to find one through the draft, maybe with the pick they get in return for Jackson.

Safety

The trio of Nate Allen, Jaiquawn Jarrett, and Kurt Coleman at safety wasn’t that great last season. All 3 are young so they could all improve next season, but they may want to add a veteran in the mix just in case.

Defensive Tackle

Their linebacker play wasn’t the only reason behind their struggles against the run last year. Their defensive tackle play wasn’t great either. They love rotation at the position and have several free agents there this offseason, while Mike Patterson, unfortunately, will probably need brain surgery this offseason so he’s a question mark coming off a surprisingly fantastic 2011 season.

Guard

Evan Mathis was one of the best guards in the league last year, but he’s a free agent. He’ll obviously need to be resigned, but they’ll want to be wary about committing too much to him because he has a questionable injury past. Even if he is resigned, some depth behind him should be had just in case. I could see them adding a veteran swing guard behind Mathis, one who could also take over at right guard if 2011 1^st round pick Danny Watkins continues to struggle.

Offensive Tackle

Todd Herremans did a great job at right tackle though but, for reasons I listed above, he could end up back at guard long term. Backup Winston Justice was awful in 2010 at right tackle so they should find a new backup right tackle.

Quarterback

Vince Young is not expected back as Michael Vick’s backup so they’ll need a new one unless they think Mike Kafka is capable of that role. The backup quarterback in Philadelphia is always a more important role than for other teams because Michael Vick can never make it through 16 games healthy. I could see them taking a new backup quarterback through the draft and trying to develop him as Vick’s future replacement. Vick turns 32 this offseason and probably won’t have the longevity of a typical quarterback because of his style of play and small frame.

Running Back

LeSean McCoy is easily one of the top 5 running backs in the league. However, what if he gets hurt? They signed Ronnie Brown for that reason last offseason, but they forgot he was awful. Brown is probably done in the NFL so they need a new backup for McCoy, someone who can spell him for a few carries per game and take over in case anything were to happen to McCoy. Preferably, they need a short yardage power compliment, which is what Brown was supposed to be.