Eagles poised for long-term success thanks to very young and elite defense originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Philadelphia Eagles are one of the best teams in the NFL. There's no question that this year's team is going to be a good one if everyone is healthy and the offense isn't a complete disaster like it was last season.
But while there's bound to be plenty of attention on said offense under Sean Mannion, the reason why this team will be a contender for many years to come is thanks to the defense.
ESPN's Aaron Schatz identified one key statistic Eagles fans can feel incredibly confident in going forward: the average age of defensive starters. That number is 25.6, the youngest defense in the NFL right now. But they're not just young; they're elite.
Eagles poised for long-term success thanks to elite, young defense"The Eagles project to have the league's youngest defense if we look at their top-12 projected defensive players (starts in both base and nickel)," Schatz writes. "The average age is 25.6; Jonathan Greenard and Zack Baun are their only starters over 27."
Baun, one of the best linebackers in the NFL, is 29 years old. Greenard, the new edge rusher who has a high ceiling as a pass rusher, is also 29 years old.
That is it for players on this Eagles defense over 27 years old. All of the other starters are either just getting their careers started or in the prime of their careers.
Along the defensive line, Jalen Carter is 25 years old, Jordan Davis is 26, and Moro Ojomo is 25. Nolan Smith Jr. is 25 years old; Jalyx Hunt is 25 as well and is worth mentioning even if he's not guaranteed to start for this defense with Smith and Greenard.
Jihaad Campbell is still just 22 years old and is heading into his second NFL season, this time as a full-time starter. Jeremiah Trotter Jr. is some nice depth as well and is just 23.
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The cornerback room is where things get really exciting. Cooper DeJean is 23 years old and already an All-Pro. Quinyon Mitchell is 25 years old, an All-Pro, and one of the more underrated superstar CBs in the NFL right now.
Even free-agent pickup Riq Woolen is just 27 years old and is still a player in their prime. Michael Carter is 27 years old and is competing with Marcus Epps, 30, to be a starting safety. Andrew Makuba is 23 years old and is ready for a leap in year 2.
Overall, this defense is incredibly young and chock-full of talented players. There's not a real hole on this defense other than at safety, and Carter or Epps might be more than serviceable for Vic Fangio's defense this year when DeJean isn't at safety.
If one had to ask why the Eagles are going to be successful for the foreseeable future, the answer is obvious: this elite defense also happens to be young and still improving.
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