Reuben Frank, Dave Zangaro and Andrew Kulp continue the 2019 edition of Stay or Go, trying to figure out the future of the Eagles.
Today, they'll look at defensive tackle:
Fletcher Cox
Roob: Where would the Eagles be without Cox? He's put together one hell of a body of work in his seven years with the Eagles - four straight Pro Bowls, a first-team All-Pro this year, 44½ sacks. With apologies to Jerome Brown and Clyde Simmons, he is the second-best defensive lineman in Eagles history. And No. 1 is a Hall of Famer. Cox is on that road as well.
Verdict: Stays
Dave: This past season was his best season in the NFL and that's saying something. Enjoy this. We're watching an all-time great Eagle in his prime.
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Verdict: Stays
Kulp: Aside from the fact Cox registered a career-high 10½ sacks in 2018, it would cost the Eagles upwards of $36 million to trade or release the four-time Pro Bowler, compared to under $12 million to keep him on the roster. Quite honestly, that's a bargain.
Verdict: Stays
Tim Jernigan
Roob: This is an interesting one. You can see the ability when Jernigan is actually able to play. He actually played more snaps in the postseason (58) than in the regular season (46). But he sure as heck isn't going to play here under the $11 million he's on the books for. Jernigan is 26 and talented, but considering the strength of the draft at D-line, I think they move on.
Verdict: Goes
Dave: This one is hard to figure out. There's no way he's back with that $13 million salary cap hit. No way. So he'll need to restructure in a big way and I actually think he will be open to it. If he gets cut, I don't imagine there'd be a huge market because of his injuries. So maybe both sides can figure something out and Jernigan can have a good season and then earn more money after it's over. I don't feel good about this one, but I think Jernigan wants to stay and he means something to the Eagles.
Verdict: Stays
Kulp: Thirteen million dollars seems a lot to pay somebody who lined up for a grand total of 103 snaps last season because of a back injury, but can the Eagles afford to let Jernigan go? Trade or release creates $7 million in savings, yet depth is perilously thin already. Plus, he finished the playoffs strong and turns only 27 in September - still so much upside. It might take a restructure, but he'll be here.
Verdict: Stays
Haloti Ngata
Roob: Ngata started off slow but gave the Eagles some valuable interior D-line snaps down the stretch. But he's 35 now - he turned 35 on Monday - and on a pretty stringent pitch count. There were moments in which you could see what made Ngata a five-time Pro Bowler and two-time All-Pro. But it's time to move on. Time to get younger.
Verdict: Goes
Dave: He actually started to play better later in the season, but I'd argue the Eagles didn't get their $3 million worth in Ngata this season. The Eagles need to get younger and better at this spot.
Verdict: Goes
Kulp: Ngata is 35 and hasn't played a full season or registered more than 2½ sacks since the Ravens won the Super Bowl in 2012. With a projected nine picks in this year's draft, it's probably best the Eagles find his replacement.
Verdict: Goes
Treyvon Hester
Roob: For a guy who wasn't in camp with the Eagles and didn't even sign to the practice squad until the second week of the season, Hester made quite an impact. Of course, it was Hester who blocked Cody Parkey's potential game-winning field goal attempt in Chicago, but he also became a valuable rotational defensive tackle, averaging 18 snaps once he was added to the roster.
Verdict: Stays
Dave: The playoff hero actually played pretty well on defense when given a shot this year. He'll be here in camp battling for a job and I think he'll sneak onto the roster as a rotational player with some upside.
Verdict: Stays
Kulp: There will be competition, but I don't dislike Hester's chances right now. He played quite a bit on defense and special teams after his promotion to the 53-man roster in October and blocked that Parkey field goal. He's got a shot.
Verdict: Stays
Bruce Hector
Roob: Like Hester, Hector spent some time on the practice squad. Unlike Hester, he didn't really flash when given the opportunity. I could see him getting a camp invite and maybe a spot on the practice squad as a developmental guy if he shows progress, but ultimately Hector will be on the outside looking in next year.
Verdict: Goes
Dave: He certainly earned his spot on the team last summer, but he didn't do much during the season. I'd expect he'll be in camp with a chance to make the roster, but I don't think he'll make the 53-man roster.
Verdict: Goes
Kulp: A natural pass rusher in college, but undersized coming in as an undrafted rookie. Hector needs to take a big leap in 2019. With Howie Roseman touting this year's draft class as having a "historical defensive line group," the odds are probably against him.
Verdict: Goes
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