Reuben Frank and Dave Zangaro continue our series examining the future of the world champion Eagles.
Elijah Qualls
Roob: Qualls was essentially the Eagles' fifth defensive tackle this year, and as a sixth-round pick at a position in which the Eagles are very strong, he faces an uncertain future. I wouldn't be surprised if the Eagles draft a defensive tackle early on this spring, so I think Qualls faces an uphill climb to return.
Verdict: GOES
Dave: Last summer Qualls began to show some flashes of a pass-rushing interior lineman. He also showed his immaturity at certain times as he learned to be a pro. He became the whipping boy for DL coach Chris Wilson, but that's OK. The Eagles invested a sixth-round pick in Qualls and there still might be something there. At least enough to keep him around another year to find out.
Verdict: STAYS
Patrick Robinson
Roob: This one is tough since Robinson had such a remarkable year, especially considering how poorly it began. Robinson delivered exceptional play out of the slot and made one of the biggest plays of the postseason with his wild, winding 50-yard interception return that really changed the course of the Vikings game. But Robinson is an unrestricted free agent, and with Jalen Mills, Rasul Douglas, Sidney Jones and Ronald Darby, the Eagles have four cornerbacks who are 24 or younger. Robinson played for minimum wage this year, but he's going to cash in big-time this offseason. Great year. Next year will be somewhere else.
Verdict: GOES
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Dave: You can make the argument that Robinson, taking in account performance and how little he was paid, was the best signing last offseason. Robinson was arguably their best cornerback last season while playing in the slot. Robinson is 30 now, so we'll see what the market is for a 30-year-old journeyman slot corner coming off a really good season. All it takes is one team to pay him. The Eagles should at least inquire; they can't just assume that another team will steal him away. For another near-minimum deal, sure, bring him back. But the Eagles have young, talented guys waiting. Probably time to move on.
Verdict: GOES
Jason Peters
Roob: I think everybody was a little surprised when Doug Pederson announced a few days after the Super Bowl that he expects Peters to be his starting left tackle in 2018. The combination of Halapoulivaati Vaitai's dramatic improvement at left tackle after Peters was lost for the season and Vaitai's low salary ($686,281 cap figure in 2018 vs. Peters' $10.666 million cap figure) all pointed to Peters' exit and Vaitai taking over. But Peters is a Hall of Famer, and Pederson wants him back, so he'll be back.
Verdict: STAYS
Dave: He's a 36-year-old left tackle coming off another major leg injury. But I still wouldn't bet against him being the team's starting left tackle come September. He's going to have a $10.6 million cap hit this year. That's steep, but not crazy for a high-caliber starting left tackle. And before his injury last year, he was playing at an extremely high level. Pederson said he envisions Peters being his starting tackle; that's good enough for me.
Verdict: STAYS
