Let’s get to the Philadelphia Eagles news and links …
‘Star’ power: Cooper DeJean, Derwin James headline NFL’s top five players at an increasingly vital position – NFL.com The transformation of the NFL into a pass-centric league over the past few decades has forced defensive coordinators to use various five-DB packages as their base defenses. While nickel defenses initially featured smallish cornerbacks in the slot, the league’s adoption of more college concepts has sparked an uptick in three-safety
schemes with a hybrid safety/linebacker/cornerback aligning in the slot to put a dynamic defender on the field in place of the third linebacker in a traditional base package. In theory, the “star” is a multi-faceted playmaker with an alpha dawg mentality who is capable of mixing it up in the box, while also possessing the coverage skills to match up with wide receivers and tight ends in space. Additionally, he flashes pass-rush skills that allow him to create chaos off the edge as a designated blitz defender. […] 1) COOPER DEJEAN. The first-team All-Pro is the prototypical slot defender defensive coordinators covet in the star role. DeJean’s exceptional athleticism, versatility and coverage skills make him the ideal decathlete to match up with slot receivers and tight ends in space. He can shadowbox crafty route runners but also flashes the quick hands and knockout power to neutralize big-bodied pass catchers between the hashes. Although DeJean spent most of 2025 in coverage, Vic Fangio’s recent comments on the third-year pro playing strong safety in base packages could signal more responsibilities in the box as a run stopper and pass rusher on simulated pressures and five-man blitzes.
Make or break factors for the Eagles’ 2026 draft picks – BGN
Eli Stowers. Make: Stowers plays tight end with the instincts of a former quarterback, and that background shows up constantly in the passing game. His understanding of zone spacing, timing, and leverage makes him a natural receiving option underneath. He sees coverage the way quarterbacks do, which gives him a reliable floor as a pass catcher almost immediately. That kind of awareness is difficult to teach, and it gives him a legitimate chance to carve out an early offensive role. Break: The issue is whether defenses will even identify him as a tight end before the snap. If his blocking never becomes even functional, opponents will treat his presence as a bigger receiver and remain in nickel at all times. Defensive coordinators at the NFL level are ruthless about identifying weak points in personnel packages, and a tight end who cannot hold up physically becomes exploitable quickly. If he doesn’t develop at all as a blocker, he might end up as a full-time receiver.
Eagles player review: RB Tank Bigsby edition – PhillyVoice
Nothing has really changed at running back for the Eagles this offseason, so it’s not as if Bigsby will be stepping into some sort of vacated role. Ideally, maybe Sean Mannion will actually use him in 2026? He’s clearly a player worthy of being on the field more than he was in 2025. But to be honest, I really have no idea if the Eagles’ staff will also see it that way.
In Roob’s Observations: Encouraging signs from a critical Eagles defensive back – NBCSP
YOU HAVE TO LOVE HEARING JALEN ON MANNION: I don’t know how you can’t be encouraged after listening to Jalen Hurts speak Thursday about Sean Mannion. One thing stuck out in particular: He emphasized how Mannion hasn’t just taught him how to run the offense, he’s given him the “why’s” of the offense and what the purpose of all the new stuff is. “You can throw anyone under center. I think the question you ask is why? You know, why are you doing what you’re doing? What are you doing? What are you complimenting? What’s your M.O. behind what you do? And so philosophically, it’s different than what we’ve done in the past.” If you understand why you’re doing something and why it’s going to help the offense and help you, you’re much more apt to master it then if you’re just being told what to do with no context. Hurts never spoke of Kevin Patullo like this. Not even close
A.J. Brown week is here – PFT
Our sense as to the current status of the situation is this — and it’s a semi-educated assessment, not a “report.” The Eagles and Patriots have a tentative deal in place, and it’s been there since before the draft. But the Eagles have retained the ability to accept a better offer if they get one. And the Patriots are confident that the Eagles won’t get a better offer. Another team could swoop in at the last minute. Reports that the Eagles want a 2027 first-round pick imply that the Patriots haven’t offered one. And it also sends a message that, if another team wants to snatch Brown away from the Patriots, a 2027 first-round pick will do that. The recent report that the Eagles and Patriots are “not particularly close” on a deal seemed to be a last-ditch effort by the Eagles to get someone else to the table.
What A.J. Brown would bring to the Patriots’ offense – ESPN
One member of a coaching staff that game-planned against Brown last season shared respect for him as a player, noting his physicality, while adding that he wasn’t viewed as a priority in the Eagles’ simplistic offense and faded at times if not targeted early in games. Meanwhile, a scout noted Brown is coming off a season with his lowest average yards per reception (12.9) but is still going to win in most contested situations — and should have that number spike playing in a pass-friendly offense with a top-caliber quarterback.
When we get back to real football . . . – Pats Pulpit
I hope that all this debate over A.J. Brown’s value will take a back seat to watching the guy becme the next Pats star. I hope those who are against paying for him will also root for him to succeed once he’s here.
The Cowboys aren’t bad enough to be elite again – Blogging The Boys
This raises the ultimate question of whether losing is actually the secret formula for winning. The Cowboys have spent decades teetering on a tightrope of competitive mediocrity, always good enough to remain in the conversation but never bad enough to secure the draft equity needed to reset their ceiling. Perhaps true greatness requires a longer journey through the dark side, leaving us to wonder if the bottom needs to fall out before they can truly put things back together again.
Who will start at left guard and center in 2026? – The 5 O’Clock Club – Hogs Haven
By now, I think most Commanders fans are familiar with what happened with last year’s starting center, Tyler Biadasz. Reporting from local and national media indicates that the Commanders were “in on” free agent Tyler Linderbaum until the Raiders inked him to a 3-year, $81m contract that Adam Peters was unwilling to match. Plan B appears to have been to ride with last year’s backup, Nick Allegretti, a player who has had struggles at the guard position in Washington, but who appears to have the cerebral understanding of the game that is a requirement for centers who have to set protections and blocking schemes from play-to-play. Washington, who had a lot of thin spots in the roster heading into the draft, waited until the 6th round to select Matt Gulbin (No. 209 overall). There were 19 true centers taken ahead of him in this year’s draft. The rookie had a good college career, but there are concerns about his scheme fit with the expected outside-zone many observers expect David Blough to implement, as well as the usual concern about a 6th-round rookie being ready to play immediately in the NFL.
Replacing Gunner Olszewski: NY Giants have several kick return options – Big Blue View
Xavier Gipson. Gipson can be a dynamic return man. Over three seasons with the New York Jets and Philadelphia Eagles, Gipson averaged 9.1 yards on 74 punt returns and 25.9 yards on 51 kickoff returns. Unfortunately, Gipson has a habit of fumbling the football — 12 in 157 career touches as a returner, receiver, and rusher — and that cost him jobs with both the Jets and Eagles. Would John Harbaugh gamble with a player who has averaged one fumble every 13 touches during his career?
Can you guess this NFL safety in today’s in-5 trivia game? – SB Nation
Hello football fans! Welcome to the SB Nation NFL in-5 daily trivia game. Click on “Instructions” to learn how to play the game. Feel free to share your results in the comments and feedback in this Google Form.
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