Fantasy Analysis: Philadelphia Eagles

Philadelphia Eagles

Michael Vick & Nick Foles

Foles threw for 1699 yards with a 6:5 TD:INT ratio last season, and seems like a traditional West Coast quarterback. He seems like an odd fit for Chip Kelly’s new offense, but Pat Shurmur was also hired as OC, a traditional Mike Holmgren disciple. That might be part of the reason Foles and Vick have been on equal playing field during training camp. Either way, if Foles wins the job, he could post sneaky fantasy value. Assuming he can stay healthy and hold off Nick Foles in camp, Vick has legitimate sleeper status. He’s put up big numbers before, and he fits the mold of rookie sensations RGIII and Russell Wilson, a two- way threat who could put up big numbers, especially in Kelly’s system. A word of advice: Kelly’s offense requires a quarterback who can get rid of the ball quickly, and make short, accurate passes, something Vick  has never proven he can do.

LeSean McCoy & Bryce Brown

One year after finishing as fantasy’s No.2 back, with 1600 all- purpose yards and 20 total TDs, McCoy’s production fell off a roof, still totaling 1200 yards but only 5 total TDs, good for 21^st place. Needless to say, why it’s unrealistic to assume McCoy will return to his 2011 form, his production should certainly rise, regardless of whether Chip Kelly’s offense is a success in the NFL or not. Kelly intends to ride McCoy and second- year man Bryce Brown relentlessly, and as a result their value should rise. McCoy is expected to get the larger portion of carries. In four starts last season, Brown ran for 178, 169, 6, and 34 yards. He also fumbled 3 times in those starts. If Brown can cure his fumbilitis and be more consistent, he could carry solid fantasy value. If not, McCoy may be in for a larger workload than advertised.

Desean Jackson & Jeremy Maclin

Jackson has seen his numbers fall every year for the past four years. Well, glad that’s out of the way. Jackson is a dynamite receiver built to run, a plus in new head coach Chip Kelly’s breakneck system. Kelly also has Jackson lining up all over the field, telling him to learn every position and the offense and to do “everything the right way.” He’s also in a pseudo contract year, with little guaranteed money left on his contract and no security if he should fail this season. Jackson could be primed for a big year. Perhaps more than any other receiver, Maclin’s production is entirely dependent on who his quarterback is. In 8 games with Vick under center, Maclin had 32 catches for 378 yards and 4 TDs. In 6 games with Nick Foles under center, Maclin had 37 catches for 479 yards and 3 TDs. If Foles wins the job, Maclin could post big numbers. Outside of that, he may continue with his disappointing ways.

Brent Celek, Zach Ertz, & James Casey

Chip Kelly is a big fan of his tight ends. A really, really big fan. So big, in fact, he wants to have three of them on the field at once. Unfortunately, this TE- by- committee approach may be more harmful than good for the individual tight end’s value, as the competition will cut into their playing time. Brent Celek is the incumbent, but Kelly has already called him out for his strength of blocking. Zach Ertz has the highest upside of the bunch, definite receiving skills, and could be the most productive of the bunch. Casey has had a few productive years as the tight end/fullback for Houston, but his role is unclear so far, having missed spring workouts with arthroscopic surgery. He has the least upside of the bunch.

Alex Henery

Henery did a pretty good job last year, kicking 87.1% of his field goals, but his production was hurt due to the Eagles failure to score consistently. If Chip Kelly’s new offense turns into a juggernaut, Henery will be a top- 10 fantasy value. If not, he might finish right where he did last season (20^th place).