January 27, 2019
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 | Defensive tackle | Linebacker | Cornerback
Today we'll look at the safeties.
While Fletcher Cox is the best player on the defense, Jenkins is the heart and soul of it. In addition to being a clear team leader, Jenkins is a versatile piece who can play safety, slot corner, outside corner, and linebacker. He is an incredibly important figure in the Eagles' organization, and a great player.
#JimmyVerdict: Stay, obviously.
Your verdict:
It was originally thought that McLeod "only" tore his MCL Week 3 against the Colts, but it was later revealed that he also tore his ACL. McLeod's injury occurred in September, so it's possible that he could be ready for the start of the 2019 season.
McLeod is scheduled to count for $9,906,250 against the salary cap in 2019, $5,093,750 of which the Eagles would save if they traded or released him. McLeod showed how valuable he is after he was gone, as the Eagles' safety play dipped significantly after he was lost for the 2018 season.
The Eagles would ideally like to have McLeod back at a lower salary cap charge, but at the same time, if McLeod isn't willing to take a pay cut, releasing him would leave a glaring hole at safety. The Eagles could also view Avonte Maddox as a suitable replacement at safety, but by moving him to the back end, the Eagles would be depleting ever-important corner depth.
Perhaps McLeod and the Eagles can find some middle ground, in the form of a contract restructure (or even an extension) that lowers his 2019 cap number.
#JimmyVerdict: Stay.
Your verdict:
Graham wasn't that bad in 2018. I think we all just remember his bad play in overtime against the Tennessee Titans that ultimately cost the Eagles a win.
Still, Graham is another year older and slower. In 2018, he didn't sign with the team until the Eagles were already deep into training camp. I don't think that waiting until August is a prudent way to handle the No. 3 safety spot this offseason.
#JimmyVerdict: Go.
Your verdict:
Sullivan got a lot of playing time down the stretch when the Eagles started playing a lot of three-safety sets. He went from a special teamer-only who never saw the field otherwise, to a guy who saw a small handful of snaps, to a regular contributor.
| Tre Sullivan | Snaps | Snap percentage |
| Falcons | 0 of 70 | 0% |
| Buccaneers | 0 of 58 | 0% |
| Colts | 0 of 59 | 0% |
| Titans | 0 of 71 | 0% |
| Vikings | 0 of 62 | 0% |
| Giants | 3 of 65 | 4.6% |
| Panthers | 3 of 59 | 5.1% |
| Jaguars | 2 of 64 | 3.1% |
| Cowboys | 22 of 69 | 31.9% |
| Saints | 6 of 70 | 8.6% |
| Giants | 32 of 62 | 51.6% |
| Redskins | 23 of 45 | 51.1% |
| Cowboys | 31 of 99 | 31.3% |
| Rams | 30 of 76 | 39.5% |
| Texans | 41 of 65 | 63.1% |
| Redskins | 26 of 45 | 57.8% |
| Bears | 48 of 64 | 75.0% |
| Saints | 39 of 77 | 50.6% |
While injuries certainly played a part in Sullivan's increase in playing time, there's also little doubt that he earned more trust from Jim Schwartz along the way.
#JimmyVerdict: Stay.
Your verdict:
The Eagles traded a seventh-round pick for Hall last year, and he is under contract in 2019 for peanuts.
#JimmyVerdict: He'll be in Eagles camp in 2019, but he'll have to prove he's roster-worthy.
Your verdict:
Maragos is a team leader and a great person, but I fear his career is over after he needed a second surgery recently for a knee injury he suffered during the 2017 season.
#JimmyVerdict: Go.
Your verdict:
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 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
| QB | Carson Wentz | Nick Foles | Nate Sudfeld | |
| RB | Jay Ajayi | Corey Clement | Darren Sproles | Wendell Smallwood |
| RB (cont.) | Josh Adams | Boston Scott | ||
| WR | Alshon Jeffery | Mike Wallace | Nelson Agholor | Golden Tate |
| WR (cont.) | Mack Hollins | Shelton Gibson | Jordan Matthews | |
| TE | Zach Ertz | Dallas Goedert | Richard Rodgers | Josh Perkins |
| OT | Jason Peters | Lane Johnson | Halapoulivaati Vaitai | Jordan Mailata |
| OG | Brandon Brooks | Isaac Seumalo | Chance Warmack | Matt Pryor |
| C | Jason Kelce | Stefen Wisniewski | ||
| DE | Brandon Graham | Derek Barnett | Michael Bennett | Chris Long |
| DE (cont.) | Josh Sweat | Daeshon Hall | ||
| DT | Fletcher Cox | Timmy Jernigan | Haloti Ngata | Treyvon Hester |
| DT (cont.) | Bruce Hector | |||
| LB | Nigel Bradham | Jordan Hicks | Kamu Grugier-Hill | Nate Gerry |
| LB (cont.) | LaRoy Reynolds | D.J. Alexander | B.J. Bello | Paul Worrilow |
| CB | Jalen Mills | Ronald Darby | Sidney Jones | Rasul Douglas |
| CB (cont.) | Avonte Maddox | Cre'Von LeBlanc | ||
| S | Malcolm Jenkins | Rodney McLeod | Corey Graham | Tre Sullivan |
| S (cont.) | Deiondre Hall | Chris Maragos | ||
| K/P/LS | ||||
| Head coach | ||||
| Offensive coordinator | ||||
| Defensive coordinator | ||||
| GM |
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