Eagles midseason report card: These 2 (not Jalen Hurts) get A+, but not all get high marks

It's hard to find fault when the Eagles have the best record in the NFL at 8-1, and so there are plenty of A's to give out.

But not everyone deserves high marks. After all, the Eagles fell apart offensively in their loss to the Jets, the play-calling at some points has been questionable, and quarterback Jalen Hurts has had to make do with a knee injury that has affected his running ability.

"There is always room for improvement," Eagles coach Nick Sirianni said. "What did (longtime NFL coach) Bill Parcells say? 'You are what your record says you are.' So we’re in a good spot right now."

The grades mostly reflect that:

Quarterbacks

In some ways, this has been a trying season for Hurts. He has played every snap despite the knee injury that has caused him to curtail his running. But the Eagles are 8-1 because Hurts has once again improved as a passer. He's completing 68.9% of his passes, a career high. And with 2,347 yards passing through nine games, Hurts is on pace to shatter the Eagles' franchise record for yards passing in a season, set by Carson Wentz with 4,039 in 2019. He's coming off passer ratings of 130 or more in the last two games. But Hurts has thrown eight interceptions, already more than the six he threw last season. That includes the three-INT clunker against the Jets.

Grades: Overall A- ... Hurts A-, Marcus Mariota and Tanner McKee, incomplete.

Running backs

The Eagles have had to rely on the running backs more because of Hurts' knee injury. And at times the Eagles have struggled. D'Andre Swift had back-to-back games with 130 or more yards in Weeks 2 and 3. Since then, he hasn't surpassed 70 yards in any game. Still, with 614 yards, Swift is just 3 yards shy of his career high. The Eagles haven't gotten much production from the other backs, particularly Kenny Gainwell, who gets docked a half-grade for his halftime response to a fan on social media.

Grades: Overall B ... Swift B+, Gainwell C, Boston Scott C, Rashaad Penny incomplete

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Tight ends

Dallas Goedert's production has dipped somewhat this season, and now he is going to be out for a while after suffering a forearm fracture. Still, Goedert has 410 yards receiving. Jack Stoll continues to excel at blocking but isn't a threat in the passing game. Neither is Grant Calcaterra.

Grades: Overall B ... Goedert B, Stoll B-, Calcaterra C+, Albert Okwuegbunam incomplete

Wide receivers

A.J. Brown is having an historic season. He's on pace for nearly 2,000 yards receiving, which will not only shatter the Eagles' record that Brown set last season, but would break the NFL record of 1,964 yards. DeVonta Smith is on pace for his second straight 1,000-yard season. There aren't many chances for anyone else. Expect Julio Jones to have a bigger role now that Goedert is out.

Grades: Overall A- ... Brown A+, Smith A-, Julio Jones C+, Olamide Zaccheaus C, Quez Watkins C-, Britain Covey incomplete.

Offensive line

Once again, this unit has been dominant. Jalen Hurts has been sacked only 22 times, and the Eagles are averaging 130 yards rushing per game. Left tackle Jordan Mailata could join left guard Landon Dickerson; center Jason Kelce; and right tackle Lane Johnson, who hasn't allowed a sack in three years, as Pro Bowl selections. The Eagles have shown their depth at right guard with both Sua Opeta and rookie Tyler Steen replacing the injured Cam Jurgens.

Grades: Overall A ... Lane Johnson A+, Jason Kelce A, Landon Dickerson A, Jordan Mailata A-, Cam Jurgens B, Sua Opeta B-, Tyler Steen C+, Jack Driscoll incomplete.

Defensive line

The defensive line has also been dominant, and that's saying a lot considering that three veteran defensive tackles left the team after last season. But rookie Jalen Carter has stepped in, and Jordan Davis and Milton Williams have stepped up. On the edges, Haason Reddick (7½ sacks) and Josh Sweat (6½ have been outstanding. Brandon Graham had his first sacks of the season against the Cowboys. Derek Barnett has given the Eagles next to nothing before getting benched vs. the Cowboys. Nolan Smith deserves more playing time.

Grades: Overall A- ... Reddick A, Sweat A, Carter A, Jordan Davis B, Fletcher Cox B, Milton Williams B, Nolan Smith B-, Brandon Graham B-, Derek Barnett D, Marlon Tuipulotu and Moro Ojomo incomplete.

Linebackers

The Eagles have long undervalued this position, hoping that a young player like Nakobe Dean would take the reins, or that a low-cost free agent like Nicholas Morrow would prove his worth. While Morrow, who was waived out of training camp, has stepped up, Dean hasn't been able to stay healthy. He's going on injured reserve for the second time this season. Expect Ben VanSumeren to get a chance to play.

Grades: Overall B- ... Morrow B, Zach Cunningham C+, Dean C+, VanSumeren, Patrick Johnson and Christian Elliss incomplete.

Cornerbacks

Darius Slay and James Bradberry are playing well, but not quite at their Pro Bowl level. They have dealt with injuries, forcing young players like Josh Jobe and Eli Ricks into the mix. It's the same at nickel where Avonte Maddox was placed on IR after the season opener, then veteran Bradley Roby got hurt in his first game after signing. Ricks and rookie Sydney Brown, a safety, have filled in there.

Grades: Overall B+ ... Slay A-, Bradberry B+, Ricks B, Jobe C+, Brown C+, Kelee Ringo, Josiah Scott, Maddox and Roby incomplete.

Safeties

This is another position where the Eagles appear to be duct-taping it together. Week 1 starters Reed Blankenship has missed two games and Justin Evans is on IR. It got so bad that Mekhi Garner, an undrafted free agent at cornerback, had to play safety. The trade for Kevin Byard, and Blankenship's return, have stabilized the position.

Grades: Overall B- ... Blankenship B, Byard B-, Sydney Brown C+, Justin Evans C+, Mekhi Garner incomplete.

Special teams

Quietly, this unit has had a good season. Britain Covey ranks fourth in punt return average. Jake Elliott is solid as always, making 90% of his attempts, although a missed 37-yard field goal was critical in the loss to the Jets. Braden Mann has punted well after replacing Arryn Siposs. Boston Scott often takes the safe route on kickoffs.

Grades: Overall B+ ... Elliott A-, Mann B, Covey B, Boston Scott B-.

Coaches

The record speaks for itself. Sirianni is 31-12 in his 2½ seasons as head coach. The .721 winning percentage is the best in franchise history. Since the start of the 2022 season, Sirianni is 22-4, the best mark in the NFL. Sirianni has done it this season with new coordinators in Brian Johnson on offense and Sean Desai on defense. The transition hasn't been seamless, but it has worked for the most part.

Grades: Overall A- ... Sirianni A, Johnson B+, Desai B+.

Front office

Howie Roseman has excelled since the end of last season. He watched several free agents leave for big contracts elsewhere only to replace them with shrewd draft picks like Carter, and by trading for Swift, then safety Kevin Byard last month. Roseman has also added free agents during the season in Jones and Roby. Once again, Roseman has given the Eagles every opportunity to return to the Super Bowl.

Grades: Overall A

Contact Martin Frank at mfrank@delawareonline.com. Follow on X @Mfranknfl.

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Eagles midseason report card: Many A's, but not all get high marks