'On our shoulders.' Why Eagles Jalen Carter, Nakobe Dean, other young players can't be busts

PHILADELPHIA − The Eagles spent the last three draft classes preparing for the inevitability that franchise legends in center Jason Kelce and defensive linemen Brandon Graham and Fletcher Cox would be leaving.

And while that isn't official, the signs are there that Kelce is leaning towards retirement, and that Cox and Graham might have to finish their NFL careers elsewhere if they want to keep playing.

But it goes beyond those three. It's likely that veteran cornerback James Bradberry, safety Kevin Byard and linebackers Zach Cunningham, Nicholas Morrow and Shaq Leonard won't be back either.

That means a core of younger players, led by Jalen Carter, Cam Jurgens, Jordan Davis and Nakobe Dean, among others, will have to replace them.

"It will be on our shoulders," Davis said. "It’s a lot of pressure. I’m not going to sit there and sugarcoat it. There’s a lot of pressure that goes into it, but that’s what we’re here for."

It won't be easy, especially with the Eagles bringing in mostly a new coaching staff under head coach Nick Sirianni. They hired a new offensive coordinator in Kellen Moore and a new defensive coordinator in Vic Fangio, with more changes expected.

In addition, the Eagles could have as many as nine picks in the 2024 draft, including the No. 22 pick in the first round, and two second-round picks.

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Cam Jurgens and Tyler Steen on offensive line

Kelce, for example, was selected to the Pro Bowl seven times and was named a first-team All Pro six times. Jurgens, drafted in the second round in 2022, is slated to replace him, after playing right guard this season.

Kelce has started 156 consecutive games, the most in team history. Jurgens has played perhaps a few dozen snaps at center. With Jurgens moving to center, Tyler Steen, drafted as a left tackle in the third round last spring, could be taking over at right guard.

Steen started one game at right guard this season, and it didn't go well. Veteran Sua Opeta closed out the season as the backup guard.

What did Steen learn in his limited time?

"You have to deal with the stresses of the game and the situations that come with it," he said. "I feel like that (experience) helps a lot, and I’ll take that into the offseason."

Jordan Davis, Jalen Carter, Nolan Smith on the defensive line

It's the same way at defensive tackle replacing Cox − and also Javon Hargrave, who left as a free agent after the 2022 season. The Eagles do have a solid young core in Milton Williams (third round, 2021), Davis (first round, 2022) and Carter (first round, 2023).

But Cox still played 59% of the snaps as Davis called him "a security blanket." The other three were all in the 43-48% range.

That percentage has to increase in 2024, even though Davis admitted that his play "fell off in the (latter) half of the year." Carter's play also dropped off late despite getting 6 sacks.

Davis still had a better second season than his rookie season. He had 2.5 sacks and at 6-foot-6, 336 pounds, chased down Bills quarterback Josh Allen on a fourth-quarter play on Nov. 26.

"It’s our time, and we have to figure out ways to still uphold the standards those guys left behind but also bring that youthfulness, bring that energy," Davis said.

Edge rusher Nolan Smith finally got more playing time late in the season, but he struggled.

The Eagles still have edge rushers Haason Reddick (11 sacks) and Josh Sweat (6.5), but more will be expected from Smith with Graham likely not returning and veteran Derek Barnett released late in the season.

How plan for Nakobe Dean backfired in 2023

That succession plan was supposed to be in place this season at linebacker. Dean was drafted in the third round in 2022, and expected to take over after 2022 starters T.J. Edwards and Kyzir White left in free agency.

But Dean suffered two foot injuries and played in only five games. The Eagles added veterans Morrow, who was inconsistent, and Cunningham, who missed four games down the stretch with a knee injury.

Out of desperation, the Eagles signed Leonard in December, but he wasn't close to his Pro Bowl form before he had two back surgeries in 2022.

Eagles general manager Howie Roseman was asked about the underperformance of the defensive line and if he still believes in his roster-building philosophy.

"It's my belief in the players that we have, the young players that we have," Roseman said. "I have a lot of belief, and I know coach (Nick Sirianni) does as well in Nakobe Dean. I believe in the player. I believe in the person.

"Obviously, it didn't work out perfectly for him this year. That doesn't change the belief we have in the player."

Dean said he knows the Eagles still believe in him.

"They know who I am," he said. "If they don't, then I'll help you this season."

Kelee Ringo, Eli Ricks and Sydney Brown at defensive back

But the biggest turnover will likely come at defensive back. Bradberry was benched for a few series during the season-ending playoff loss to the Buccaneers in favor of rookies Kelee Ringo and Eli Ricks. Ringo was the Eagles' fourth-round pick while Ricks made the team as an undrafted free agent.

Ricks was also asked to play nickel at times in place of the injured Avonte Maddox and the mostly ineffective Bradley Roby.

"It definitely did not go the way I thought, but in a good way," Ricks said about the season and playing nickel, a position he had never played before in college.

Ricks said he was already told that he's going back to playing exclusively on the outside in 2024.

It was a learning experience for both Ricks and Ringo, along with Sydney Brown, the safety the Eagles drafted in the third round last spring.

Brown struggled at times, but was coming on strong towards the end of the season. That was evidenced by his 99-yard interception return for a touchdown against Arizona on Dec. 31.

Brown tore his ACL the following week against the Giants, and likely won't be ready for the start of the season. So that could impact whether the Eagles bring Byard back, even though he didn't have a good season (they can save $13 million on the salary cap by releasing him).

The Eagles could draft a safety or sign a free agent. Either way, the young players will have to play in 2024. Ricks said he'll be ready, and so will the others after all of them had their ups and downs this season.

"I feel like I’m a starting cornerback in this league for the future, and for a long time to come," Ricks said. "I definitely want to prove that here. But even if we keep both (Slay and Bradberry), my time is going to come, and I’m ready for whatever."

The Eagles are going to find out soon enough about Ricks and the others.

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

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Jalen Carter, other young Eagles must quickly prove they're not busts