Projections (9/02/03)

Passing Stats

Rush Stats

Receiving Stats

Fantasy

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Quarterbacks
Starter - Donovan McNabb
Backups - Koy Detmer, A.J. Feeley

Starting Quarterback: Donovan McNabb is likely the best fantasy player at the quarterback position and was having a spectacular 2002 season until sidelined with a broken leg. He was averaging a remarkable 25.9 fantasy points per game before the injury and he'll likely regain that form this season. His rushing yardage was amazing last year as he averaged 46.4 yards per game rushing to go along with 6 touchdown runs. He also was averaging 229 passing yards per game that would have translated into a 3664 passing yardage season if he had stayed healthy. With an improving Todd Pinkston at receiver, look for McNabb to continue his fantasy success in the upcoming campaign. He is definitely a top tier fantasy quarterback and could finish as the top dog at the end of the year.

Backup Quarterback(s): Both Koy Detmer and A.J. Feeley had to play in McNabb's absence a season ago and each did a solid job. The McNabb injury last year may actually have benefited the Eagles long-term because they were able to get both inexperienced quarterbacks some playing time and now know that an injury to McNabb won't mean the end of the world. Detmer actually looked great in his one game of action but looks to be too fragile to play every game in the NFL. Feeley isn't a great talent, but was a gamer and kept his team in games without hurting the Eagles too much. I wouldn't consider drafting either in a fantasy draft but there could be value in free agency if something befalls McNabb again this season.

Update - 8/28: The order is still McNabb, Detmer, and then Feeley.

Running Backs
Starter - Duce Staley
Backups - Correll Buckhalter, Brian Westbrook
Fullback - Jon Ritchie

Starting Running Back: Despite 1,571 yards from scrimmage and Team MVP honors (voted be the players), Duce Staley is the one Eagles offensive starter who may lose his job. The Eagles seemed to be content in mini-camp, which Staley chose not to attend as he is in a contract dispute, with Buckhalter and Westbrook at RB. The Eagles won't release Staley, as neither Westbrook nor Buckhalter have track records to handle a full season's load. How much they eat into Staley's production though, will be the biggest factor in determining Duce's value this season. Staley is a good runner and a better receiver, and at 5-11, 220, can handle the wear and tear of an NFL season. He lacks big play ability however, and will have a hard time getting rushing touchdowns this season competing with Buckhalter and QB Donovan McNabb. Staley will likely be the main back early in the season, but how many carries he gets down the stretch will be the result of his production early on. One positive note for Staley: The Eagles RBs ran nearly 400 times last year, after rushing just over 300 times with the RBs in 2000 and 2001.

Backup Running Back(s): Before tearing his left ACL, some felt the Eagles were planning to release Staley last offseason, a testament to how they felt about Correll Buckhalter. 6-0, 222, Buckhalter set an Eagles rookie record with 586 rushing yards in 2001. The Eagles first game this year comes a full sixteen and a half months after Buckhalter was injured, so he should be at full strength by then. A healthy Buckhalter would likely be the Eagles best runner, who averaged 4.5 ypc his first season. Expect Buckhalter's biggest fantasy impact to be hurting Duce Staley's value, as Buckhalter himself will have little fantasy value unless Staley gets injured. The Eagles view the 5-8, 200 lb Westbrook as a speedy and agile third-down back, not a main threat to take over the starting RB role. Currently, he is expected to returns punts and kickoffs, taking over the role of ex-Eagle Brian Mitchell.

Fullback(s): The Eagles signed the ex-Raider to upgrade a position they felt was a weakness in 2001. Richie is one of the games top fullbacks, and is a perfect fit for the West Coast Offense with his great combination of blocking and receiving abilities. Expect all the Eagles skill position players to be happy with this signing, as his fantasy value (of zero) is much less than his real value.

Update - 8/28: Staley finally ended his holdout after 27 days of foolishness and returned to the team, but he'll now be slightly behind Buckhalter in the pecking order (which means RBBC here). The third-string Westbrook is nursing a hyper-extended knee and is not at 100%. With Staley back in the fold, Westbrook has very little value.

Wide Receivers
Starters - James Thrash, Todd Pinkston
Backups - Freddie Mitchell, Freddie Milons, Billy McMullen

Starting Receiver(s): James Thrash and Todd Pinkston are unquestionably the Eagles' starters this season. Thrash, the veteran of the two, has proven a reliable cog in the Eagles offensive wheel in his two seasons with the team. While he's not much of a fantasy contributor, Thrash can be counted on to catch 50+ catches, and he's not afraid to make plays over the middle. His 14 touchdown receptions in the last two seasons lead the team.

Team officials are counting on Todd Pinkston emerging as the Eagles' go-to receiver this year. Pinkston, a second round receiver in 2000, has been slow to ascend the receiver ladder in Philadelphia, but did enough in his 3rd year (60 receptions for 798 yards and 7 touchdowns) to suggest he may be ready. Pinkston has blazing speed, and is fluid, but has been hampered by an inability to bulk up his rail thin frame. Don't be surprised to see Pinkston eclipse the 1,000 yard mark this season. He's a receiver that can be had late in drafts, who could end the year as a solid second receiver.

Backup Receiver(s): If Antonio Freeman accepts the Eagles' one year offer to return to the team, he will once again serve as the primary slot receiver. However, should he not re-sign, one of the most intriguing battles in training camp will be between Freddie Mitchell and rookie Billy McMullen. Mitchell, a first round selection out of UCLA two years ago, has completely failed to live up to expectations (just 33 receptions, 388 yards and 1 TD in two seasons) and must excel this season if he plans on being a part of the Eagles' plans beyond 2003. The coaching staff saw enough from the McMullen in mini-camp that he has a real chance of securing the slot receiver position, which is unusual for a rookie given the complexities of OC Brad Childress' offense. Freddie Milons should hold onto the fifth receiver spot, as he's the leading candidate to replace the departed Brian Mitchell on return duties.

Update - 8/28: Todd Pinkston signed a new six-year contract that will pay him upwards of $18 million (including a signing bonus of just under $4 million) and replaces the remaining two years of his initial contract. The contract reflects the confidence the Eagles have in Pinkston's abilities and further solidifies his place as the team's go-to receiver. Look for Pinkston to lead the Eagles in receiving this year, pushing the 1,000-yard mark. Freddie, Mitchell, the 3rd year WR on the hot seat entering training camp, has rose to the occasion this preseason. Not only has Mitchell secured his job as the third receiver, but also he's been impressive enough to earn a larger role in the team's offensive game plan. James Thrash, taken off the field on a stretcher during the preseason game versus New England, should be back in the starting lineup for the opening game against Tampa Bay. Results of his MRI were negative.

Tight Ends
Starter - Chad Lewis
Backup(s) - L.J. Smith
Chad Lewis has not followed up his monster season of 2000 (#4 tight end) with similar production. In fact, each of the past two seasons has been a disappointment for Lewis owners. His numbers have declined each year, but it's unfair to place the blame on his shoulders. Donovan McNabb spreads the ball around a lot, and the Eagles utilize lots of dual tight end sets. Also, the Eagles are very high on backup tight end L.J. Smith. Lewis will be a decent backup fantasy tight end in 2003.

Update - 8/28: Lewis has been nursing a strained calf, but he is still the starter here. Smith has a ton of talent but looks to be a year away.

Place Kicker
David Akers: Akers finished as the number two scorer amongst kickers last season. He's accurate and plays for a team that struggles in the red zone. Akers could easily finish on top of the league in scoring this year. Led by Donovon McNabb the Eagle offense will give Akers plenty of opportunities in 2003.

Offensive Line
C-Hank Fraley; G-John Welbourn; G-Jermane Mayberry; T-Tra Thomas; T-Jon Runyan
The Eagles have a solid offensive line but have never developed into a great unit but will be incredible if they do. Individually these guys have talent (three made the Pro-Bowl in 2002) but something is missing when they step onto the field. This is a veteran unit that will continue to play solid football but they could be excellent if they find the missing ingredient. Thomas is a giant of a man at left tackle and is clearly the best lineman the team has. He has surprising agility for a man who weighs 350 lbs. However Thomas didn't have the best of seasons last year and will need to come back determined in 2003. This is a good group but they have a chance to develop into much more.