Eagles Roster Build: 5 Key Moves That Created a Contender

The Philadelphia Eagles have one of the more talented rosters in the league, but how did they get to this point? Here's a look at some pivotal moments in the construction.

One of the best rosters in the NFL didn’t just happen overnight for the Philadelphia Eagles. How did the defending NFC champs get here?

Well, there are always some key moves and decisions along the way.

Here are five:

Trading for A.J. Brown. It’s a move that wouldn’t have happened if things had turned out differently with four receivers the Eagles had set their sights on - Calvin Ridley, Christian Kirk, Robert Woods, and Allen Robinson.

The Eagles were close to acquiring Ridley until news broke of his season-long gambling-related suspension, the Jacksonville Jaguars handed Kirk an obscene amount of cash, Woods wanted to return to the Tennessee Titans, and Robinson veered left to the Los Angeles Rams despite being in deep talks with the Eagles.

After a 1,496-yard season with 11 touchdowns, a case could be made that he is one of the league’s top-five or -six receivers.

It’s more than that, though. Brown presence has helped DeVonta Smith find more room to roam free and taken away some of the double-team attention he would have attracted after a standout rookie season.

2021 draft class. Before there was Brown, there was Smith, who the Eagles wanted bad enough that they were willing to swing a deal with their rival Dallas Cowboys, moving up two spots to get him even though they had to know the Cowboys were all-in on taking Micah Parsons after moving from 10 to 12.

Until Smith and Brown, the Eagles had trouble finding competent receivers.

It wasn’t just Smith who came in this class, though. The Eagles found their starting left guard for years to come in Landon Dickerson in the second round, a still-blossoming defensive tackle in Milton Williams in the third, a special team standout and possibly future slot cornerback starter in Zech McPhearson in the fourth, and a productive running back in the fifth with the selection of running back Kenny Gainwell.

The sixth round delivered defensive tackle Marlon Tuipulotu and defensive end Tarron Jackson, who could find a role this season, while the seventh brought linebacker Patrick Johnson.

Each of the team’s picks have produced when called upon.

Signing Haason Reddick. The edge-rusher extraordinaire raised the play of the entire defensive front, if not the entire defense because his ability to get to the quarterback made the secondary better.

As an added bonus, Reddick is now charged with helping mold first-round talent Nolan Smith, who is cut from the same cloth as Reddick, a lightning-quick, if undersized, quarterback-seeking missile off the edge.

There have been many standout free-agent signings during general manager Howie Roseman’s long tenure, with guard Brandon Brooks likely at the top of the list, but Reddick doesn’t deserve a backseat to anyone.

2018 draft class. It’s a story that has been told more than once. This class was as good as it gets, with the Eagles finding a starting tight end in Dallas Goedert, a starting slot corner in Avonte Maddox, a rising star in defensive end Josh Sweat, and a starting left tackle in Jordan Mailata. All are already on their second contracts.

Trading for Darius Slay. Like the receiver position, the Eagles could never quite get it right. Then along came the deal with the Detroit Lions on March 19, 2020, when Philly landed him with third- and fifth-round picks in the 2020 draft.

Not since Asante Samuel was in town from 2009-11 have the Eagles had a bona fide shutdown cornerback.

Now, fourth-round pick Kelee Ringo is watching and learning from not only him but veteran James Bradberry, too.

BONUS TWO

An eye for the undrafted. The Eagles have a knack for bringing in talent after the draft.

Linebacker T.J. Edwards, who left in free agency this offseason, was one of the better ones. Now, safety Reed Blankenship could be the next standout. Also, productive UDFAs on this roster include tight end Jack Stoll and punt returner/fifth receiver Britain Covey.

Keeping the foundation. Their better playing days may be behind them, but the foundation of this team remains strong with 30-somethings Jason Kelce, Lane Johnson, Fletcher Cox, and Brandon Graham, each of whom has spent their entire careers with the Eagles.

Cox and Graham are getting big salaries for the leadership they show in the locker room and mentors to the younger players who have followed behind them. Kelce and Johnson continue to play at high levels and also serve as mentors for those who will someday follow in their footsteps.

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Ed Kracz covers the Philadelphia Eagles for SI's EaglesToday.

Please follow him and our Eagles coverage on Twitter at @kracze.

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