In the 12th of our 12-part offseason series examining the future of the Eagles, Reuben Frank and Dave Zangaro give their opinions on who will be and who won't be on the roster in 2017. We go alphabetically - Part 12 is Watford to Wisniewski.
David Watford
Roob: Watford actually threw more passes in college than Carson Wentz. Watford threw for 4,681 yards and 32 touchdowns at Virginia and Hampton, but the Eagles converted him to wide receiver last year, and he spent the season on the practice squad learning the NFL game and learning a new position. Considering how much help the Eagles need at wideout, Watford should get a decent look this summer. He's got good size at 6-foot-2, 215 pounds. But whether he can catch passes and make plays and actually make the roster and contribute is another story. Too much to ask.
Verdict: GOES
Dave: Watford is the former quarterback from Hampton University who is still learning to be a wide receiver. He's a project-type player and spent the entire season on the Eagles' practice squad. If he sticks around at all, it'll be in that capacity again.
Verdict: GOES
Philadelphia Eagles
Complete coverage of the Philadelphia Eagles and their NFL rivals from NBC Sports Philadelphia.
Jaylen Watkins
Exclusive rights free agent
Roob: After playing just 16 snaps in the first five games, Watkins averaged 34 snaps per game the rest of the year in a variety of roles. Watkins, a fourth-round pick of the Eagles back in 2014, did some good things this year and finished the season with 51 tackles, all but one in those last 11 games. He's got some versatility and certainly never lacks effort. Whether he stays or goes depends on how thorough the Eagles' secondary housecleaning is. I think the Eagles like Watkins. Gut feeling.
Verdict: STAYS
Dave: Being an exclusive rights free agent basically means the team can have you back for cheap and you can't even talk to another team. That's probably fine for Watkins, who isn't coming off a great season as he still learns to play safety. He's probably still a decent depth piece but will have to earn his way back onto the roster.
Verdict: STAYS
Terrell Watson
Roob: Watson, another undrafted free agent who got to play late in the season, got nine carries and even scored a touchdown in the season finale against the Cowboys' scrubs. But is he a difference-maker? Doubt it. The Eagles have to rebuild this running back group and a guy like Watson doesn't really figure into the overhaul they're seeing. Training camp body? Yep. Final roster? I don't see it.
Verdict: GOES
Dave: Watson was added to the active roster for the final game of the season and the running back even punched in his first career touchdown. He's an undrafted kid from Azusa Pacific, but he's big at 6-1, 240. If the Eagles want to keep a change-of-pace, bruising running back, maybe Watson has a shot. Just haven't seen nearly enough of him to know what he is.
Verdict: GOES
Carson Wentz
Cap hit: $6.06M
Roob: Think he might squeeze his way onto the roster next year. I'm intrigued by what the 2017 version of Carson Wentz will look like. With upgraded receivers (presumably), Doug Pederson in his second year on the job and Wentz having (hopefully) a healthy offseason as the No. 1 quarterback, I expect a huge jump from Year 1 to Year 2. If you look at Donovan McNabb's progression from 1999 to 2000, it's unbelievable. If Wentz can make a similar jump, this is a playoff team this coming season.
Verdict: STAYS
Dave: Who?
Verdict: STAYS
Stefen Wisniewski
Unrestricted free agent
Roob: Wiz played OK in the eight games he either started or played most of the snaps. I don't expect him back though. The Eagles want to go young and Wisniewski wants to be a starter, and I just don't think that's going to be an option here. Wisniewski is a free agent this offseason, and I expect him to go to a team that offers him at least a chance to start.
Verdict: GOES
Dave: Wisniewski was a really good free-agent signing last year. He gave the Eagles some much-needed depth on the offensive line and was forced into action more than the team probably anticipated. But he's never been shy about his desire to return to a starting role in the league and if he gets good money to give it a go somewhere else, he's gone.
Verdict: GOES
