With each passing season, new stars arise. Some spring into greatness completely out of nowhere, while others progressively improve, leaving a remarkable trail to follow along with. When it comes to the Philadelphia Eagles, there are potential stars found all across the roster. Familiar faces and newcomers alike reap the opportunity to cement themselves in football lore. With most of the frenzy of Free Agency and the Draft behind us, let’s take a look at 5 Eagles ready for a break out season in 2022.
To clarify, this list will cover players who have not previously garnered recognition for stellar play, such as a Pro Bowl or AP All-Pro selection. These players have, based on various circumstances, the best chances to finally earn those honors.
1. Dallas Goedert
The talent of Dallas Goedert has always been apparent. A second-round choice in 2018, he showed to be a reliable #2 receiving tight end target behind incumbent starter Zach Ertz. Yet as Ertz kept producing Pro Bowl caliber seasons, Goedert continued to hold a complimentary role. That changes in 2022.
With Zach Ertz now an Arizona Cardinal, Goedert is fully entrenched in the starting role. With 14 starts in 2021, he managed 830 receiving yards from quarterbacks combining for less than 3,600 passing yards on the season. Imagine what he can do with a full season and no looming “better” option… at least at his position.
The Eagles’ acquisition of AJ Brown from the Titans also helps things considerably on paper. With Brown, a presumably better DeVonta Smith, and an emerging Quez Watkins at wide receiver, there are too many pieces on offense for defenses to have to account for. It’s the perfect opportunity for Goedert to display his ability.
2. Jordan Mailata
Predicting that an offensive lineman will have a break out season isn’t particularly exciting for many, I’m aware. Even still, bear with me. I promise it’s a pretty intriguing trail.
Jordan Mailata is an Australian-born player whose sports background is rooted in Rugby. Joining the NFL through their International Player Pathway Program (or IPPP), he was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles in the seventh round of the 2018 Draft. While it would take until 2020 to have him see any in-game action, he’s slowly made a name for himself. In 2021, he was made the full-time starter at left tackle.
He’s had the time to sit and learn, and now has nearly two full seasons of actual gameday experience. Along with left guard Landon Dickerson coming off a solid rookie year and longtime center Jason Kelce returning, he makes up a formidable left side of the O-line. Though I suppose most would look formidable at 6’8″.
If nothing else, while he was not recognized by AP, his play in 2021 was recognized by Pro Football Focus. Mailata was named to their All-Pro team as the second choice among tackles behind Trent Williams. So you go from two years of not playing at all to PFF saying only Trent Williams is better than you at your position. Seems easy to assume that the trajectory will only proceed upwards.
3. Haason Reddick
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A new face for the birds and one with a reputation for one thing: sacks. Perhaps more than any other Eagles player, Haason has the largest potential for a break out season.
It’s almost surprising that Reddick hasn’t been honored for his play by this point. Too one-dimensional, perhaps? Nonetheless, his penchant for finding the opposing quarterback has been well on display the past two years. In his final year in Arizona and one season in Carolina, he’s had back-to-back double-digit sack seasons. Now heading into his first season in Philadelphia, he joins a defense ready to cause havoc on offenses.
The Eagles already sport two Pro Bowl alternatives in Josh Sweat and Javon Hargrave along the defensive line. Fletcher Cox, though not as effective as once was, is a team leader and arguable Hall of Famer. Brandon Graham returning should only add further depth, as well as the reliable (yet not sack-happy) Derek Barnett. There’s a ton of talent waiting in the wings, and it’s easy to assume signing Reddick was an answer to boost the sack total for 2022. (Only 29 total sacks in 2021.)
It’s easy to assume that any of the players mentioned in the prior paragraph could have a great season. So many rushers to block against is almost guaranteed to have one or more of them shine. Even still, Reddick is the most productive member, at least where sacks are concerned. This makes him the easiest choice to select on defense.
4. Miles Sanders
This is both a popular choice and a sleeper choice for this kind of list. Miles Sanders has shown a lot of potential and talent since being drafted in the second round in 2019. He was fourth in voting for Offensive Rookie of the Year, and has averaged over five yards per carry in the last two seasons. However, taking a stark look at his statistical output, his numbers are actually slowly dwindling.
What is perhaps the most humbling statistic of all is that, despite having 912 yards from scrimmage in 2021, he scored 0 touchdowns. What gives?
Some of this may likely be due to a shared backfield with three other running backs… and a mobile quarterback. Jalen Hurts actually had more carries and yards than Sanders last year. Yes, Sanders’s productivity has been declining, but as has his opportunities. He openly stated so recently.
Let’s be optimistic here. Perhaps 2022 will be the season where the offense opens up to centering more on a single back instead of a rotation. Or, at the very least, getting the ball into Sanders’s hands more. He’s shown in the past that he can run, catch, and juke with the best of them. All he needs is a chance—a chance to provide confidence in his coaches that he can be an every-down back. Barring injury, this will be the deciding year to prove it.
5. Jalen Hurts
This is a selection not motivated as much by potential as it is by necessity. Among Eagles players, Hurts files under “must-have” for a break out season if he wants people to believe he’s the next franchise quarterback. Thus far, he’s been serviceable, but hasn’t totally assured fans of his quality. Fortunately for him, the team has done a lot to ensure a smooth progression.
Dallas Goedert. AJ Brown. DeVonta Smith. Quez Watkins. Miles Sanders. These are the primary weapons at Hurts’s disposal. Along with his own dual-threat ability, he can chuck it or duck it and speed through gaps in the defense. While not the most quarterback-friendly offense there is in the NFL, one can argue the team has a pretty nice offensive unit, comparatively speaking. Heading into his second season as the full-time starter, Hurts must deliver. The tools available seem viable for it.
Of course, the ceiling for success is much higher for quarterbacks. The most glamorous position in sports is more scrutinized than any other. Nothing short of Pro Bowl caliber play (or perhaps borderline) will offer him any relief from the leery judgment of fans and boo-birds alike. For his sake, he’ll have to fly like the namesake of his team.
Which Eagles do you think are most likely to have a break out season?
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