National Football League

Philadelphia Eagles: Top 5 Midseason Performers

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 8:00 p.m. ET

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These five Philadelphia Eagles have been their top performers midway through the season.

After eight weeks in the 2016 NFL season, the Philadelphia Eagles have had an up and down year. They started hot, going 3-0 to begin the year, but then they went into their bye week and got cold. In Week 5, they suffered their first loss to the Detroit Lions, but it was a game they should have won. Looking to bounce back in Week 6, the Eagles once again were cold and failed to defeat the Washington Redskins.

At 3-2, they took on the undefeated Minnesota Vikings in Week 7. Former Eagles quarterback Sam Bradford made his way back to town and the Eagles did not make him feel welcomed. Philadelphia got back on track while knocking off the Vikings to move to 4-2. It seemed the season was ready to get going again, but they had a pivotal matchup against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 8.

The Eagles dominated the game for three-straight quarters, but they blew their lead in the fourth, sending the game to overtime. In overtime, the Eagles did not even touch the ball as the Cowboys drove down the field and won the game.

Now at 4-3, Philadelphia takes on another NFC East team, New York Giants, in Week 9. The up and down year has had a lot of highs and lows, but some of their players have been playing out of their minds this season.

Here are the five Eagles that have stood out the most to this point.

Oct 30, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Philadelphia Eagles middle linebacker Jordan Hicks (58) intercepts a pass intended for Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Brice Butler (19) in the second quarter at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

5. Jordan Hicks, Middle Linebacker

Pro Football Focus Grade: 90.1
Season Stats: 37 tackles, 5 tackles for a loss, 1 sack, 1 interception, 1 fumble recovery

Last season, 2015 third-round pick linebacker Jordan Hicks made himself known rather quickly. Had it not been for an injury he sustained at the midseason mark last year, Hicks could have been the Defensive Rookie of the Year and even made the Pro Bowl. That is how good he was. However, he did sustain that injury and it left fans wondering if he would be able to play at that elite level in 2016.

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Smile Eagles fans, Hicks is back and even better than he was last year. The second-year middle linebacker has been everything the Eagles defense has needed and then some. He isn’t your traditional thumper in the middle, but instead he is a more athletic, playmaking middle linebacker.

Hicks only has 37 tackles on the year, but it isn’t his ability against the run that makes him one of the best linebackers in the league. And that isn’t saying he can’t stop the run, because he has five tackles for a loss according to SportingCharts.com. It’s just highlighting the fact that he is one of the best linebackers in coverage and it helps the Eagles tremendously. He is the No. 5 ranked linebacker on Pro Football Focus, but his 94.0 pass coverage grade is good enough for second best in the NFL.

In Week 8, Hicks made a routine interception, but it was one of the biggest plays of the game. He sat in the middle and read the quarterbacks eyes, picking the pass off in the end zone to prevent a score. It gave the Eagles momentum and was a turning point for them in the first half. The former Texas Longhorn has been playing great football through half of the season, so hopefully he can keep it up.

Sep 11, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles guard Brandon Brooks (79) and Cleveland Browns linebacker Demario Davis (56) in action at Lincoln Financial Field. The Eagles won 29-10. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

4. Brandon Brooks, Guard

Pro Football Focus Grade: 85.5
Season Stats: 7 games, 7 game started

In the 2016 offseason, the Eagles knew they needed to sign an offensive guard. Last year, their guard play was horrendous and served as a glaring hole. Both their right and left guards were a weak spot, especially after they got rid of Evan Mathis before the season started. There was no way they were going into the next season with the same combo at guard. Consequently, they were big spenders in free agency.

They went out and signed former Houston Texans guard, Brandon Brooks. The 27-year-old was drafted in the third round of the 2012 NFL Draft and was ascending to the top of his position. Philadelphia gave him a hefty five-year, $40 million contract with $21 million guaranteed. The deal made Brooks the second highest paid guard in football at the time and many questioned if they overpaid for him.

After eight weeks, however, it seems like the Eagles hit a home run in free agency. Brooks has been a beast this season and is currently their best offense lineman. He has been consistent in all aspects of his blocking, and according to Pro Football Focus, his pass blocking grade has been good enough for eight best in the NFL while his run blocking grade is fifth best.

Overall, Pro Football Focus has him as the No. 5 ranked guard and it is because he has been dominant this season. Offensive linemen may not get a lot of love, but Brooks gets some here as he is definitely one of their top five performers so far this season.

Sep 25, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Fletcher Cox (91) tackles Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) during the second quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

3. Fletcher Cox, Defensive Tackle

Pro Football Focus Grade: 85.1
Season Stats: 19 tackles, 5 tackles for a loss, 4 sacks, 1 forced fumble

One of the best defensive linemen in the NFL got paid this offseason. He plays on the Philadelphia Eagles and his name is Fletcher Cox. After a breakout camping in 2015, Cox signed a six-year, $102.6 million deal with almost $63.3 guaranteed. It was well-deserved for Cox and the Eagles should be happy that their 2012 first-round pick commanded such a deal.

The only thing that scared many was the idea that Cox wouldn’t play as well since he got paid. Those people who actually believed that are fools, because Cox is back in 2016 and playing at an elite level once again.

Stats do not always tell the story, especially when it comes to an elite interior defensive lineman like Cox. He does have an impressive five tackles for a loss and four sacks though seven games as a defensive tackle, while also adding a forced fumble into the mix. But it’s what he does for his teammates that is the biggest contribution.

Cox demands a double-team on most plays and teams have to game plan for his dominant play. That allows his teammates to have more opportunities to make plays. It’s simple math; if two people have to block one person, there is one less person to block the rest of the guys.

Pro Football Focus has Cox as their No. 4 interior defender and a big part of that is his pass rushing ability. His 82.3 pass rushing grade is good enough for fifth best for the interior defenders. He is on pace for nine sacks this season, but his career high is nine and a half. Look for him to be even better as the year goes on and have his first 10 sack season.

Sep 25, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz (11) reacts after his 73 yard touchdown pass against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the third quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

2. Carson Wentz, Quarterback

Pro Football Focus Grade: 86.8
Season Stats: 150-228 (65.8%), 1,526 yards, 9 TDs, 3 INTs

Unless you just don’t watch football, you know that the Eagles are starting rookie quarterback Carson Wentz. Philly decided to go all-in on the kid from North Dakota State, trading many players and picks just to acquire him. The decision was a big one and it will impact the franchise for many years. But will it be a positive or negative effect? Early indications are that it will be better than good—it will be great.

Wentz has looked the part of a franchise quarterback through the first eight weeks of his young and promising career. He has had command of the offense and hasn’t looked like a rookie when he is setting the protection or calling an audible at the line of scrimmage. What makes it even more impressive is the fact that, nine days before the season started, Wentz wasn’t even going to start. He was going to use his rookie season as a redshirt year. Then the Eagles traded Bradford and the rest was history.

After eight weeks, Wentz is currently my No. 11-ranked quarterback in the NFL Quarterback Power Rankings, but Pro Football Focus has him even higher. According to PFF, Wentz is their No. 5 ranked quarterback. And when you go off of just his 87.4 passing grade, he is No. 4.

He has played seven games so far in his NFL career and I would already argue that Wentz is the best player on the Eagles offense. He hasn’t had much help, especially from his wide receivers who, according to SportingCharts.com, have dropped 5.8 percent of their targets (13 drops total). That’s the second worst in the NFL in that category.

There is no denying the talent that Wentz possess and through eight weeks of his first NFL season, he’s been the Eagles top offensive performer.

Sep 25, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Brandon Graham (55) reacts to a stop against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the second quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. The Philadelphia Eagles won 34-3. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

1. Brandon Graham, Defensive End

Pro Football Focus Grade: 91.0
Season Stats: 25 tackles, 7 tackles for a loss, 4 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, 1 fumble recovery

As good as Wentz has been, defensive end Brandon Graham has been the Eagles MVP through midseason. For starters, many were ready to see Graham have a breakout year (including myself). If he wasn’t able to take a step forward this season, it was time for Philly to move on from him.

For those that do not remember, the Eagles moved up in the 2010 NFL Draft, a move many thought was in order to select Texas safety Earl Thomas. However, they selected Michigan’s defensive stud, Brandon Graham. Fans were outraged then. That feeling only grew as Thomas showed he was an All-Pro caliber player while Graham had a career-high of just 6.5 sacks coming into 2016.

It may have taken seven NFL seasons, but Graham is playing at an elite, All-Pro level in 2016. Before the 2015 season kicked off, the Eagles signed Graham to a four-year, $26 million contract with only $13 million guaranteed. Ironically, many fans did not like the idea of re-signing him since he hadn’t done much. Bt now that deal looks amazing considering he is one of the best defensive ends in football this season.

Graham has lived in the backfield through eight weeks. He only has four sacks, but he creates pressure at a high level. According to SportingCharts.com, Graham has 17 hurries this season to go with his seven tackles for a loss.

Pro Football Focus has him graded as their No. 1 edge defender, over elite defenders named Von Miller and Khalil Mack. It hasn’t just been about his pass rush. PFF has him graded as the No. 1 pass rusher, but they also have him graded as the No. 11 player against the run among edge defenders.

He has been doing it all the entire seasons for the Eagles defense and is a big reason why they are considered one of the best units in the league. It may have taken some time, but Graham has been amazing so far in 2016.

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