December 28, 2016
The 2016 Philadelphia Eagles season is essentially over, so with one game remaining, we'll continue to look ahead to the offseason. As a starting point, let's take a look at each position and figure out which players will be back in 2017. Today we'll look at the inside linebackers.
In case you missed our previous positional previews:
Quarterbacks | Running backs | Wide receivers | Tight ends | Offensive tackles
Guards | Centers | Defensive ends | Defensive tackles | Outside linebackers
In 2016, Hicks had 80 tackles, 1 sack, 3 INTs, 9 pass breakups, and four tackles for loss. He didn't make quite as many huge plays as he did his rookie season (considering he only played in eight games in 2015), but he certainly had a good follow-up to an impressive rookie season.
The Eagles have their young quarterback of the future on offense in Carson Wentz, and their young quarterback of the future on defense in Hicks. Obviously, Hicks will be back in 2017, and he should be a piece along with Fletcher Cox, Malcolm Jenkins, and Brandon Graham that the Eagles build around.
#JimmyVerdict: Stay.
Your verdict:
Fearing a lack of depth as the regular season was approaching, the Eagles signed Tulloch, a former Schwartz fave, to a one-year deal worth $2.5 million. However, Hicks, Nigel Bradham and Mychal Kendricks stayed healthy all season long, so Tulloch's services weren't needed.
On the season, Tulloch played just 53 total snaps (6.1 percent) in the regular defense, and he did not play at all on special teams. The Eagles would be wise to find younger, cheaper linebacker depth in 2017.
#JimmyVerdict: Go.
Your verdict:
We haven't been profiling players who did not make the 53-man roster, but we'll make an exception with Walker, who would have made it if he hadn't torn his ACL against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the preseason.
Walker will have to show that he has recovered fully from his injury. Assuming he will, Walker was looking like a Schwartz favorite during training camp and should be back as a backup middle linebacker to Hicks as well as a special teams contributor.
#JimmyVerdict: Stay.
Your verdict:
Green = Stay
Orange = No need to release before training camp, but ideally the Eagles will have found an upgrade
Red = Go
| Position | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| QB | Carson Wentz | Chase Daniel | |||
| RB | Ryan Mathews | Darren Sproles | Wendell Smallwood | Kenjon Barner | |
| WR | Jordan Matthews | Nelson Agholor | Dorial Green-Beckham | Bryce Treggs | Paul Turner |
| TE | Zach Ertz | Brent Celek | Trey Burton | ||
| LT | Jason Peters | Matt Tobin | Dillon Gordon | ||
| LG | Allen Barbre | Stefen Wisniewski | |||
| C | Jason Kelce | Josh Andrews | |||
| RG | Brandon Brooks | Isaac Seumalo | |||
| RT | Lane Johnson | Halapoulivaati Vaitai | |||
| DE | Brandon Graham | Connor Barwin | Vinny Curry | Marcus Smith | Steven Means |
| DT | Fletcher Cox | Bennie Logan | Beau Allen | Destiny Vaeao | Taylor Hart |
| OLB | Nigel Bradham | Mychal Kendricks | Kamu Grugier-Hill | Najee Goode | |
| ILB | Jordan Hicks | Stephen Tulloch | Joe Walker | ||
| CB | |||||
| S | |||||
| K/P/LS/Braman | |||||
| Head coach | |||||
| Defensive coordinator | |||||
| GM |
