Philadelphia Eagles

With high-stakes fantasy football legend Shawn Childs anchoring Sports Illustrated's fantasy coverage, we decided to give our take on Shawn's Team Outlooks. While we won't always agree, Shawn's pedigree speaks for itself. Shawn has been a high-stakes Fantasy Football legend since 2004 when he had success in his first season (three titles and $25,000 in winnings). Childs has competed and won six-figures in all different formats – auctions, draft championships, main events, and high-dollar leagues. We dare you to find an expert who knows the NFL player pool better than Shawn Childs -- it can't be done!

The Philadelphia Eagles look poised to move up the pass rankings after trading for WR A.J. Brown just before this year's draft. His presence allows WR DeVonta Smith and TE Dallas Goedert to see weaker coverage on more plays. QB Jalen Hurts already has a high floor as a runner (139/794/10), and his passing production may jump by 25% if the Eagles allow him to throw the ball more often. Last year Philly fans pined for their offense to run the ball at a higher rate after starting the season with a 2-5 record. From Week 8 to Week 15, over seven games, the Eagles went 5-2 while averaging 214 rushing yards and 13 combined touchdowns on the ground. With improved defensive play, Philly has the offensive talent to challenge the Dallas Cowboys for the NFC East title.

Offense

The Eagles ran the ball 52.7% of the time while leaving some rushing stats on the table between Week 3 and Week 6 (12/64, 19/103/1, 22/91/2, and 19/100/2). Over their other 13 matchups, Philly averaged 36.8 rushes but only 25.9 passes over their final 11 games. With minimal improvement in the run and pass games, the Eagles could reach 7,000 offense yards (3,000 rushing and 4,000 passing), giving them a top-tier offense.

QB Jalen Hurts - Solid/Safe Pick

A left ankle injury that required surgery after the season led to two missed games for Hurts over the Eagles' final five matchups. Over his last four games (including the playoffs), he ran the ball 25 times for 128 yards and two scores. His opportunity as a runner was much higher over his 12 starts (122/695/8 – 5.7 yards per carry). However, over his final 11 starts, Hurts offered minimal value in the passing game (2,037 yards and 10 touchdowns – 185 yards per game).

When forced to throw the ball, he produced three games of value (264/3, 326/2, and 387/2). Hurts finished 9th in quarterback scoring (354.60) in four-point passing touchdowns leagues with four impact games (31.40, 32.05, 32.25, and 32.60 fantasy points) plus six other weeks with at least 20.00 fantasy points.

Fantasy outlook: Hurts now has three respected receiving options (A.J. Brown, Devonta Smith, and Dallas Goedert), setting the stage for a minimum of 25 passing scores and a push closer to 4,000 passing yards. In addition, he will continue to be a beast in the run game. His consistency factor should be much higher in 2022, along with his explosiveness. Surprisingly, Hurts ranks 11th at quarterback in the National Fantasy Football Championship in the early draft season. I expect a top-four season for his position, and I'll fight for him in drafts. Next step: 4,800 combined yards with 33 touchdowns.

Other Options: Gardner Minshew, Reid Sinnett, Carson Strong

RB Miles Sanders - Solid/Safe Pick

It's hard to imagine that Sanders didn't score last season when looking at Philly's backs finishing with 16 touchdowns. He gained an impressive 5.5 yards per carry but only 6.1 yards per catch.

Over the first six weeks, Sanders gained 391 yards with 18 catches on 75 touches (12.5 per game). He left Week 7 with an ankle injury that led to three more missed games. When Sanders returned to the lineup, the Eagles were much more active in the run game, leading to 446 combined yards with six catches on 73 touches. A broken hand in Week 16 ultimately ended his regular season.

His stats projected over 17 games came to 1,292 combined yards with 37 catches.

Fantasy outlook: Most of the Eagles' scoring in the run game in 2021 came from Jalen Hurts (10) and Boston Scott (7). The Scott scores came in games when Sanders was out of the lineup. In a perfect world, Philly will use a two-back rotation between Sanders and Kenneth Gainwell. With a healthy season, I expect Sanders to receive close to 250 touches with five to seven touchdowns and a floor of 40 catches. His ADP (84 – 30th ranked back) in the NFFC is well below his potential while understanding his recent injury risk (nine missed games over the past two seasons).

RB Kenneth Gainwell - Quality Backup

Gainwell struggled to get consistent snaps from game to game in his rookie season. As a result, he finished with starting fantasy value in six contests (12.30, 20.90, 15.10, 19.70, 18.70, and 16.50 fantasy points in PPR leagues). Over his other 12 games, Gainwell only had 27 rushes for 71 yards and one touchdown plus 12 catches for 115 yards. He finished last season with 544 combined yards with six touchdowns and 33 catches.

After a minimal opportunity (143 combined yards with one touchdown and six catches) in his red-shirt freshman season, Gainwell excelled in 2019 once given the keys to Memphis's running back job. He finished with 2,059 combined yards with 16 touchdowns and 51 catches. Gainwell followed in the footsteps of Darrell Henderson and Tony Pollard, who also shined for the Tigers.

He fits the scatback profile (5'11" and 200 lbs.) while offering impact speed (sub 4.40 forty-yard dash). His vision and quickness are the critical factors for him to break into the second level of the defense. Gainwell follows his blocks well with the gas to hit a seam quickly. Over the long field, he made plenty of big plays in college.

In the NFL, faster cornerbacks will slow him in the open field. He plays bigger than his size in pass protection, but Gainwell does need to prove he can handle blizters at the next level. His pass-catching ability helps his chances of getting on the field.

Fantasy outlook: Last year, Philadelphia gave Gainwell goal-line rushes on passing downs while using him off the bench in chaser games as a pass-catcher. I project him to be the handcuff to Miles Sanders this season with an increase to about 10 touches a game. Gainwell has an ADP of 142 in the NFFC in mid-June as the 48th running back drafted. He should deliver RB3 value this season.

RB Boston Scott - Deep-league Only

Over the past two years, Scott has been a serviceable player off the bench for the Eagles. However, he finished with only 13 catches for 83 yards in 2022, showing that Kenneth Gainwell clearly ranked ahead of him on passing downs. With Miles Sanders injured, Scott picked up seven touchdowns in five games, but Philly had him on the field for more than 50% of their snaps in only two matchups. He only scored 57.60 fantasy points in PPR leagues over nine games without his touchdowns.

Fantasy outlook: Scott should be found on the waiver wire in most fantasy formats this year. He needs an injury to increase his fantasy value and opportunity.

Other Options: Jason Huntley, Kennedy Brooks

WR A.J. Brown - Solid/Safe Pick

In his third season in the NFL, Brown failed to live up to his draft expectations. He caught 63 of his 105 targets for 869 yards and five touchdowns while missing close to five games with hamstring, knee, chest, and calf issues. Brown flashed beast upside in four matchups (8/133/1, 10/155/1, 11/145/1, and 5/142/1), with the latter coming in the postseason. On his down days, he scored fewer than 10.00 fantasy points in PPR leagues in six matchups. His yards per catch (13.8) came in at a three-year low.

Brown played in 43 games in the NFL, leading to 185 catches for 2,995 yards and 24 touchdowns on 295 targets. However, his opportunity in his career (6.9 targets per game) is well below the top wide receivers in the game.

Fantasy outlook: The Eagles may only throw the ball an average of 30 times this season, giving their wideouts only about 270 chances. If Brown finished with 120 targets, he should catch about 75 passes for 1,200 yards with a chance at double-digit scores. In the early draft season in the NFFC, Brown has an ADP of 26 as the ninth wide receiver off the board. There will be games this year when the Eagles won't attempt many passes, lowering Brown's consistency factor. I view him as a WR2 on a fantasy team, and I would only roster him at a discount.

WR DeVonta Smith - Solid/Safe Pick

In his rookie season, Smith operated as the Eagles' WR1, leading to 64 catches for 916 years and five touchdowns on 104 targets. His catch rate (61.5) needs work while delivering his best two games in receiving yards at home (7/122 and 5/116/1). He finished with three other playable outings (6/71/1, 7/77, 4/66/2, and 5/80/1). Smith finished with 11 starts with six targets or fewer.

In each year at Alabama, Smith improved each of his stats. His window for playing time and chances were limited early in his college career due to the Crimson Tide's exceptional depth and talent at wide receiver (Calvin Ridley, Jerry Jeudy, Henry Ruggs, and Jaylen Waddle). After showing growth in 2019 (68/1,256/14), Smith won the Heisman Trophy last season after catching 117 passes for 1,856 yards and 23 touchdowns. He capped off the year with three explosive showings (15/184/2, 7/130/3, and 12/215/3), with the latter coming in the national championship game.

Last year Alabama used him on many plays where he started behind the line of scrimmage to take advantage of his speed and quickness. His movements and frame had a DeSean Jackson feel, but Smith will get many more chances over the short areas of the field. I expect him to own an edge out of the slot, and he will get off the line better than expected against press coverage for his size and strength. Smith can run a sub 4.40 40-yard dash with great route running, extreme quickness, and open field ability.

Fantasy outlook: Smith ranked 30th in wide receiver scoring (186.60) in PPR formats. The addition of A.J. Brown swings some coverage away from him, helping maintain his rookie floor in targets. His ADP (81) in the NFFC prices Smith as a backend WR3 (35th wide receiver). I see growth rather than regression in 2022, making him the more attractive Eagles' wideout to own based on draft value. I will set his bar at 70 catches for 1,050 yards with a slight bump in scoring.

WR Jalen Reagor - Dynasty Only

In his rookie season over 11 games, Reagor caught 31 of his 54 targets for 396 yards and one touchdown. He gained fewer than 60 yards in every game while gaining over 20 yards on four catches. Last season Reagor finished with 33 catches for 299 yards and two touchdowns on 57 targets while gaining only 9.1 yards per catch.

His college career started with 33 catches for 576 yards and eight touchdowns as a freshman in 2017. The following year, he led the team in receiver production (72/1061/9) despite playing with three different lower-tier options at quarterback. Texas Christian struggled to throw the ball in 2019 (53.4 percent completion rate), which led to Reagor turning in a below-par season (43/611/5).

TCU used him on fades at the goal line, but his burst off the line didn't look special at the goal line. He will win his fair share of jump balls in the end zone. Reagor shines the most with the ball in his hands when seeing daylight. His acceleration through the second level of the defense is impressive when given space to make plays. He'll challenge defenses in the deep passing game.

Fantasy outlook: In his third year with the Eagles, Reagor has a lot to prove. The structure of Philly's receiving corps helps his coverage, but his opportunity won't be fantasy worthy in many games. More of a player to follow than a draft-day target.

UPDATE: In a surprise move, Reagor was traded to the Minnesota Vikings, in what most describe as a last ditch effort to make something of himself at the receiver position.

WR Quez Watkins - Deep-league Only

Watkins jumped Jalen Reagor on the depth chart in 2021. After a minimal rookie season (7/106/1 on 13 targets), he finished 61st in wide receiver scoring (116.00 fantasy points – 43/643/1 on 62 targets). Watkins only had two games (4/33 and 5/84/1) with more than two catches while gaining over 100 yards in Week 2 (2/117).

Over his final two years at Southern Miss, he caught 136 catches for 2,067 yards and 15 touchdowns on 213 targets.

Fantasy outlook: Eagles used Watkins as their deep wideout (15.0 yards per catch) last year, and his catch rate (69.4) should command more chance. He has possible flash value in games when Philly is forced to throw the ball.

WR Zach Pascal - Not Draft Worthy

The Colts gave Pascal 212 targets over the previous three seasons, leading to WR4 results (41/607/5, 44/629/5, and 38/384/3). He has one missed game in his four years in the NFL. All three of his touchdowns in 2021 came over the first two games (4/43/2 and 5/38/1), but Pascal failed to score over 10.00 fantasy points in PPR formats over his next 14 matchups.

Fantasy outlook: Pascal has enough experience and success in his career to win the WR3 role for the Eagles. His ceiling looks like 35 catches for 450 yards with short touchdowns.

Other Options: Greg Ward, Deon Cain, John Hightower

TE Dallas Goedert - Solid/Safe Pick

In his first season with the lead tight end role for the Eagles, Goedert caught 56 of his 76 targets for 830 yards and four touchdowns while missing two games (concussion and Covid-19). Despite averaging only 5.1 targets, he ranked eighth in tight end scoring (165.00) in PPR formats. Goedert gained over 100 yards in two matchups (6/105/2 and 7/135).

Fantasy outlook: There is a lot to like about Goedert, but without more targets, he can't reach elite tight end status. His ADP (79) in the NFFC ranks him eighth at tight end. With six targets per game in 2022, Goedert projects to catch 70 passes for 900 yards and five to seven scores.

Other Options: Jack Stoll, Tyreek Jackson, Grant Calcaterra

PK Jake Elliott - Deep-league Only

2021 was the best season for Elliott in field goal (90.9%) and extra-point (100.0%) success and field goal chances (30-for-33). He made 14 kicks from 50 yards or more on his 23 tries in his career.

Fantasy outlook: The Eagles should convert many possessions in the red zone to touchdowns with their run game. If so, Elliott will have a drop-off in field goal chances, leading to only matchup value in the fantasy market.

Philadelphia - Bye Week Fill-in

The Eagles improved to 9th in rushing yards allowed (1,834 yards), with opponents averaging 26.9 rushes. They allowed 4.0 yards per carry with 18 touchdowns and 10 runs over 20 yards.

Philly climbed to 11th in passing yards allowed (3,756) while allowing 6.8 yards per pass attempt. Quarterbacks tossed 28 touchdowns with 12 interceptions while being only sacked 29 times.

The defensive line of Philadelphia doesn't have an elite player in any area based on last season's stats. In coming, rookie DT Jordan Davis and DE Josh Sweat are the two players with the most upside. LB Haason Reddick should beef up the pass rush (23.5 sacks over the past two seasons) while also chipping in with 131 tackles. The combination of LB T.J. Edwards and LB Kyzir White had 274 tackles last season. Darius Slay remains one of the better players at cornerback in the NFL. I don't see an edge at either safety position, while CB James Bradberry should help in coverage.

I see more risk than reward with Philly's defense, making them only a matchup option in 2022. They rank 21st in the early draft season in the NFFC.