3 Eagles Most Likely To Breakout In 2015-16
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- As we head into the Philadelphia Eagles' 2015-16 season, there is certainly a lot to be enthusiastic about.
The NFL reigning rushing champ, DeMarco Murray, is now an Eagle. So is Super Bowl champion cornerback Byron Maxwell. And what about linebacker Kiko Alonso, who had his own hashtag in Buffalo called #TheLegendOfKikoAlonso, which NFL Countdown turned into a TV segment.
Of course, Philly also has one of the top national training camp storylines, in new Eagles quarterback Sam Bradford.
Still, I haven't mentioned one player on my list for top breakout Eagle.
Brandon Graham
If you ask Pro Football Focus---an NFL website that studies every snap, of every player---Graham has been under-used.
The 2010 13th overall pick of the Eagles recorded pressure on 22.1-percent of his 2014 pass rushes (53 pressures on 240 snaps). In comparison, Justin Houston recorded pressure on 18.8-percent of his pass rushes. In his limited snaps last season, Graham was very productive recording 5.5 sacks, 4 forced fumbles, and 9 "stuffs."
Houston, 26, is regarded as arguably the league's best pass rusher, evident by his new massive six-year deal worth $101 million ($52.5 million guaranteed). Graham, 27, signed a four-year extension with the Eagles this offseason, worth $26 million ($14 million guaranteed). And with long-time Eagles pass rusher Trent Cole now in Indianapolis, Graham will finally get his chance to be an every down player.
In June, Kelly talked about how Graham has progressed, especially in the weight room, this offseason.
"I think he's invested in himself," Kelly said of Graham. "You look at where he's at physically. I think he's in a lot better shape than he's ever been. You watch how he's getting after it in the weight room, he's probably one of our stronger guys. Pound for pound, maybe our strongest guy in terms of what's gone on here in the last eight or nine weeks in the weight room in what we're doing there. Brings a great energy every single day he is in the building whether he is on the practice field, or in the weight room or in the meeting rooms. I think he's really kind of stepping into a leadership role. Losing someone like Trent Cole is an outstanding player here and really the leader at the position. Now, I think Brandon Graham's kind of assumed a little bit of that responsibility, along with Connor [Barwin]."
Zach Ertz
Athletically, we all know Ertz is a physical specimen. At 6'5", 250-pounds, there's nothing the 24-year-old tight end can't do in the passing game. However, the problem for Ertz in his first two NFL seasons has been his blocking. He has struggled with that crucial aspect of his game, limiting his snaps.
Heading into his third NFL season, a popular breakout season for tight ends, Ertz committed himself to blocking. Ertz talked to four-time Super Bowl champion and Hall Of Famer Ronnie Lott this summer, who advised Ertz to reach out for help. Ertz contacted respected retired offensive line coach Hudson Houck, who he worked with for two weeks in San Diego.
Here's Darren Sproles calling Ertz a future superstar:
"He has great hands, man. His hands and his route running are just great, really. He's about to be a superstar."
And Chip Kelly, talking about Ertz's offseason:
"He was traveling all over the country trying to make himself a better blocker, a better receiver, doing all the little teeny things that's going to make him kind of take that next step, and that's what we're excited to see where he goes with that."
Nelson Agholor
Agholor was the Eagles' 20th overall pick in this year's NFL Draft. He's just a 22-year-old rookie wide receiver, so many will temper their excitement and be cautious with their expectations, which is certainly fair.
Not I.
Agholor, a superb route runner and instinctive receiver who is extremely dangerous in space, will thrive in Kelly's offense right away. Already, Agholor has the most raw talent of all Eagles wide outs and he will play a ton. Last season, as a rookie, Jordan Matthews caught 67 balls on 105 targets for 872 yards and eight touchdowns.
In his first and last season in Kelly's offense, DeSean Jackson caught 82 balls for 1,332 yards and nine touchdowns---by far the best season of his career. Last year, Eagles No. 1 WR Jeremy Maclin had his career year in his first season under Kelly, racking up 85 catches (on 143 targets) for 1,318 yards and 10 touchdowns.
80 catches, 1,000 yards, and seven touchdowns is certainly viable in this offense for Agholor, which would probably make him a top candidate for offensive rookie of the year.
