December 29, 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 specialists.
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 | Inside linebackers | Cornerbacks | Safeties
Power Sturge had a nice season after soundly beating out Cody Parkey in training camp. Sturgis' numbers on the season:
| Caleb Sturgis | 20-29 | 30-39 | 40-49 | 50+ |
| 2016 | 11/11 | 11/11 | 7/10 | 4/6 |
Sturgis was perfect from inside of 40, going for 22/22, although he did miss one PAT (27/28). On the season as a whole, Sturgis was 33/38, or 86.8 percent, which was good for 10th in the NFL. Perhaps what is most encouraging about Sturgis is that he has improved every year:
| Caleb Sturgis | FG percentage |
| 2013 | 76.5% |
| 2014 | 78.4% |
| 2015 | 81.8% |
| 2016 | 86.8% |
He also did a great job on kickoffs, lofting kicks with good hang time, allowing the Eagles' coverage units to get down the field to almost always make tackles shy of the touchback mark at the 25-yard line. In fact, opposing teams averaged 19.1 yards per kick return, which was second-lowest in the NFL.
Sturgis is signed through 2017.
#JimmyVerdict: Stay.
Your verdict:
The Eagles signed Jones to a contract extension during the season that will keep him in Philly through 2019. Jones is the best player in NFL history, obviously.
#JimmyVerdict: Stay.
Your verdict:
The Eagles signed Dorenbos to a contract extension during the season. He was lost for the season shortly thereafter with a broken wrist but will be fine to return in 2017.
You don't realize how important a steady long snapper is until you're forced to sign one off the street, and Dorenbos has been a good one for the Eagles for more than a decade. Also, you know, the magic thing.
#JimmyVerdict: Stay.
Your verdict:
Technically, Braman is listed as a defensive end, even though he'll never play there unless the Eagles were to suffer three or four injuries during a game. So let's just place him where he belongs, with the specialists.
Braman has been with the Eagles since 2014, when he made an immediate impact on Dave Fipp's special teams units. That season, the Eagles had four blocked punts, and Braman was the catalyst for all four. The Eagles were the top-ranked special teams units in the NFL both in 2014 and so far in 2016. Braman is a big reason why, as he has played more special teams snaps than anyone on the team.
This offseason, Braman will become a free agent. The Eagles already locked up Chris Maragos, Donnie Jones, and Jon Dorenbos to contract extensions during the season. That's smart for a team that has won a handful of games in recent years because of their special teams play. The Eagles would be wise to make sure they keep Braman in the fold as well.
#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 | Leodis McKelvin | Nolan Carroll | Jalen Mills | Ron Brooks | C.J. Smith |
| S | Malcolm Jenkins | Rodney McLeod | Jaylen Watkins | Chris Maragos | Terrence Brooks |
| K/P/LS/Braman | Caleb Sturgis | Donnie Jones | Jon Dorenbos | Bryan Braman | |
| Head coach | |||||
| Defensive coordinator | |||||
| GM |
