2009 Philadelphia Eagles Fantasy Football Preview

Greetings to all on this Sunday night.  I hope that everyone had a safe and festive 4th of July holiday.  I would again like to extend my condolences to the family and friends of Steve McNair.  I am still in shock over what happened yesterday but the show must go on. RIP Steve, you will be missed. 

The 2008 Philadelphia Eagles will always have a special place in my heart as their DST unit was one of the primary reasons that I took the title.  The Eagles were up and down all year but caught fire at the right time advancing to the NFC Championship game before losing to the Arizona Cardinals 32-25 in a classic.  The Eagles have made numerous off season moves that both bolster the club overall and also in terms of fantasy football heading into 2009.  First, Jason Peters was acquired in a trade with the Buffalo Bills.  Then, the Eagles drafted 2 more weapons for QB Donovan McNabb to play with in WR Jeremy Maclin and RB LeSean McCoy. Let's take a look at what the Eagles offer up fantasy owners for the 2009 season.

When Head Coach Andy Reid benched McNabb in favor of Kevin Kolb against the Baltimore Ravens many including myself thought that spelled the end of the former Syracuse product's time in Philly.  However, both McNabb and the Eagles came back from the dead to make a very nice playoff run that culminated with the defeat in Arizona.  McNabb, finished the year by completing over 60% of his passes for 3916 yards 23 TD's and 11 Int's.  Historically, McNabb has usually had little or anything to work with in terms of weapons outside of Brian Westbrook and Terrell Owens for the short stint he was in Philly.  Well, that started to change last year with the addition of rookie DeShaun Jackson and McNabb will have more toys this year with the McCoy and Maclin coming on to the scene.  Furthermore, let’s not underestimate the impact that Peters will have on McNabb protecting his blind side.  All indications point to McNabb having an outstanding season.  If you miss 0ut on Manning, Brady, or Brees seriously consider number 5 right along the same time as you see Jay Cutler and Matt Ryan coming off the board somewhere around rounds 5-6.

Since coming to the Eagles 8 years ago from Villanova Westbrook has been Philly's do everything player.  Westbrook possess outstanding skills both as a runner and a receiver.  The problem is that year in and year out the guy just can’t stay healthy period.  After he took a knee at the goal line a couple years ago against the Cowboys that cost countless fantasy owners their seasons I vowed to never own Westbrook. You can't argue the guy's productivity when he is in there but you also can't ignore the fact that Westbrook has NEVER played an entire 16 game schedule.  Every season he has missed time due an injury of some sort.  To make matters worse Westbrook turns 30 before the start of the '09 campaign the dreaded age where most RB's start to deteriorate. Furthermore, "Westy" will surely lose some carries to the rookie McCoy who the Eagles are very high on.  In the mocks that I have been doing Westbrook has slipped a little much in the same way LaDanian Tomlinson has.  Personally, I will tell you to avoid Westbrook unless you can steal him late in the 2nd round but someone will inevitable jump on him sooner than that due to name recognition and past stats.  I like McCoy as a number 4 RB even if Westbrook stays healthy for the entire season which is a virtual lock not to happen.  When Westy gets hurt McCoy's value will increase that much more.  Take a serious look at McCoy around the 9th-10th round.

Jackson was a nice surprise last year catching 62 passes for 912 yds and 2 TD's finally giving McNabb a dependable deep threat at his disposal.  Jackson also contributes in the return game and is a threat to take it to the house at any giving moment. Jackson will benefit from having Maclin on the other side of him assuming he wins that other starting position in training camp.  Maclin like Jackson is a burner who can also help in the return game.  Jackson is a nice number 3 WR or Flex option at this time and start considering him around the same time you see receivers like Chad Ocho Cinco, Braylon Edwards popping off the draft boards.  As for Maclin, take a late round flier on him.  He has been available right up until around the 15 round and beyond in the CBS mocks and he is a wise investment at that point.  As far as the other Eagle receivers that include Jason Avant, Hank Baskett, and Kevin Curtis the only one worth possibly drafting is Curtis and that would be with a late round flier only. 

With TE L.J. Smith leaving for Baltimore via free agency Brent Celek looks to take over the starting role.  Celek caught 27 passes for 318 yards and a score during the regular season but really stepped it up in the postseason by accounting for 3 more scores.  Towards the end of last season Celek really emerged as a favorite target of McNabb's in the Red Zone and represents someone to target as a number 2 TE with a good amount of upside.

As mentioned I literally rode the Eagles DST to a championship last year. The acquisition of CB Asante Samuel from the Patriots proved to be an excellent pickup as he was a ball hawk all year long for Philly.  Furthermore, by utilizing the various blitz schemes of Defensive Coordinator Jim Johnson the Eagles ranked among the league leaders in both sacks and takeaways.  Although the loss of safety Brian Dawkins to the Denver Broncos will sting still consider this unit one of the top 5 DST's on the board come draft day especially when you consider the extra boost you get when you factor in what Jackson does for the return game.  Kicker David Akers has been one of the most consistent players in the game at his position during the course of his 11 year career.  I am a strong proponent of never using anything but your last pick on a kicker and if you utilize that methodology that you will have no chance at Akers as someone will no doubt snatch him up well before that.  That concludes my examination of the fantasy potential of the 2009 Eagles.  Next up: The Washington Redskins.