The Philadelphia Eagles have spent the better part of the last few seasons enjoying the spoils that come with being home to one of the NFL's deepest defensive tackle rooms. It's easy to understand why. It's an adage (and an organizational philosophy). Football games are won in the trenches.
Jalen Carter has developed into one of football's premier (and richest) interior defenders. His longtime friend, Jordan Davis, also cashed in, earning a lucrative extension. Moro Ojomo continues to ascend. Second-year talent Ty Robinson remains an intriguing developmental piece, and players such as Byron Young provide additional depth behind them.
Young isn't talked about enough. Place him on another roster, and he's one of the better players at the position.
Defensive tackle has become one of the organization's calling cards. That said, defensive coordinator Vic Fangio recently said something certain to raise eyebrows.
Coach Fangio spoke with media members before Wednesday's joint practice with the New England Patriots, and he mentioned the group he sees as Philadelphia's deepest. The answer might actually surprise some.
"Our ILB position is probably our deepest position on defense. We've got Trotter and Smael, that are two good quality players. Campbell, been hurt for a while, but I think he'll be back out there today, and Deontae. So, I feel good about those guys."
That's not a statement many would have expected to hear a year ago, or perhaps even two months ago. The Eagles certainly have star power at linebacker with Zach Baun and Jihaad Campbell, but Fangio's answer wasn't about the top of the depth chart. It was about the quality and depth behind those headliners.
For years, the linebacker position was viewed as one of the Eagles' least glamorous. The organization invested heavily along the defensive line and secondary while often asking linebackers to develop from within. Now, Fangio appears to see the position as one of the defense's greatest strengths, and maybe he should.
The top two guys on the depth chart are special. So is Jeremiah Trotter Jr. The latter has drawn praise throughout camp. Fangio recently said the third-year linebacker's instincts and processing speed have taken a noticeable step forward.
Second-year prospect Smael Mondon has impressed coaches. He's a weapon on special teams, and his coaches and teammates are confident he'd be fine if called upon.
That brings us to Chance Campbell and Deontae Lawson. The latter is an undrafted rookie added in the spring to provide even more competition and depth. Fangio's comments reinforce something Fangio, the Eagles' DC, has emphasized before.
Inside linebacker remains one of the most important positions in modern football. He has previously argued that today's NFL requires instinctive linebackers capable of operating in space against both the run and pass. Defensive tackle may still be the position most Eagles fans point to when discussing roster depth. Still, if Fangio is right, Philadelphia's strongest collection of talent might actually be standing a few yards behind the line of scrimmage.
If that proves true this season, it could continue what has become one of the defense's most important developments. We're a long way from the days when linebacker felt like an afterthought in Philadelphia. If Fangio's assessment proves accurate, the Eagles' deepest position group may also become one of the biggest reasons they're chasing another championship.
This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: Vic Fangio names Eagles’ deepest position on defense
