Eagles stay or go: Defensive tackles

The Philadelphia Eagles' 2018 season is over, and there will be a lot of interesting decisions made on the players currently on the roster, perhaps more so than in most years. Let's take a position-by-position look at who will likely be back with the team in 2019, and who won't. 


Previous stay or go positional analysis

Quarterback Running back Wide receiver | Tight end

Offensive tackle | Interior offensive line | Defensive end


Today we'll look at the defensive tackles.

Fletcher Cox

Cox was a First-Team All-Pro in 2018, and the best player on the Eagles' defense. He is irreplaceable.

#JimmyVerdict: Stay.

Your verdict:


Timmy Jernigan

Jernigan is a very interesting case. On the one hand, Jim Schwartz loves him and the energy he brings to the defense. On the other hand, he suffered a mystery back injury (we still don't know how), and he missed 13 games in 2018 as a result.

Jernigan's cap hit in 2019 is $13,000,000. There is no way in hell the Eagles are bringing him back at that number. However, should Jernigan take a significant cap hit, and if the team feels that he is past his back injury, then maybe he could stick with the team. But not as is.

#JimmyVerdict: Go, but with a chance to stay if his pay comes down drastically.

Your verdict:


Haloti Ngata

Ngata missed three games with a calf injury, and he was mostly ineffective when he played, tallying just 17 tackles and 1 sack on the season. He turned 35 this week, and is a free agent.

#JimmyVerdict: Go.

Your verdict:


Treyvon Hester

Hester proved to be a great in-season addition, as he played very good run defense, and deflected Cody Parkey's game-winning field goal attempt, which double-doinked off the post and crossbar before falling harmlessly to the Soldier Field turf. He should be in a great position to earn a roster spot in 2019.

#JimmyVerdict: Stay.

Your verdict:


Bruce Hector

Hector had a good training camp, but he struggled when he played in regular season games. He'll have a new defensive line coach to try to impress in camp in 2019.

#JimmyVerdict: He'll be back in camp, but will have to scratch and claw to make the team once again.

Your verdict:


#JimmyVerdict Stay or Go Results

Green = Stay

Red = Go

Orange = Will be back in camp in 2019, but a roster spot is not guaranteed

(Note: Some mobile versions will not display colors.)

 Position
 QBCarson Wentz Nick Foles Nate Sudfeld  
 RB Jay AjayiCorey Clement Darren Sproles  
 RB (cont.)Wendell Smallwood Josh Adams Boston Scott  
 WR Alshon JefferyMike Wallace  Nelson AgholorGolden Tate 
 WR (cont.)Mack Hollins Shelton Gibson Jordan Matthews  
 TE Zach ErtzDallas Goedert Richard Rodgers Josh Perkins 
 OT Jason PetersLane Johnson Halapoulivaati Vaitai Jordan Mailata 
 OGBrandon Brooks Isaac Seumalo Chance Warmack Matt Pryor 
 C Jason KelceStefen Wisniewski   
 DEBrandon Graham Derek Barnett Michael Bennett Chris Long 
 DE (cont.)Josh Sweat Daeshon Hall   
 DTFletcher Cox Timmy Jernigan Haloti Ngata Treyvon Hester 
 DT (cont.)Bruce Hector    
 OLB    
 ILB    
 CB    
 S    
 K/P/LS    
 Head coach    
 Offensive coordinator    
 Defensive coordinator    
 GM    

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