Now that the Philadelphia Eagles' offseason is (finally) underway, let's take a look at each position and figure out which players will be back in 2018, and which ones will be playing elsewhere. Here we'll look at defensive tackle.
Previous "Stay or Go" positional analysis
Quarterback | Running back | Wide receiver | Tight end
Offensive tackle | Guard/Center | Defensive end
Fletcher Cox
Cox is among the best interior defensive linemen in the league, and he was extremely disruptive in the Eagles' road to the Super Bowl. He's also locked in for the next few years on a very lucrative deal. Obviously, Cox isn't going anywhere.
#JimmyVerdict: Stay.
Your verdict:
Timmy Jernigan
Jernigan played really well over the first half of the season, and then kind of faded down the stretch. Still, he just signed a four year, $48 million contract extension, so he's not going anywhere.
#JimmyVerdict: Stay.
Your verdict:
MORE ON THE EAGLES: Mailbag: What could the Eagles reasonably expect in return if they traded Nick Foles? | Here's how to relive Eagles' Super Bowl run from beginning to end | Brandon Graham wants a new contract, and the Eagles should give him one | Patriots fans are crybabies, and it's hilarious
Beau Allen
Allen is a free agent this offseason, and it helps his value on the open market that he has played reasonably well in multiple schemes. I believe that Allen can start in the NFL, and while I don't think he'll break the bank by any means, I do think he'll receive an offer that the cap-starved Eagles will not be wise to match.
#JimmyVerdict: Go.
Your verdict:
Destiny Vaeao
In two of their three playoff games, the Eagles opted to go with just three defensive tackles, leaving Vaeao and Elijah Qualls on the inactive list. I think that was somewhat telling of what they think of Vaeao.
#JimmyVerdict: With Allen potentially bolting in free agency, Vaeao will have a chance to make the team again. Those chances will decrease if the Eagles address the DT position in the draft, which seems likely.
Your verdict:
Elijah Qualls
Qualls was mostly inactive this season, but he did appear in six games as a rookie. The team likely views Qualls as having more upside than Vaeao, which should give him a leg up in training camp competition next summer.
#JimmyVerdict: He'll still have to earn a roster spot, but I'd lean toward Qualls staying.
Your verdict:
#JimmyVerdict Stay or Go Results
Green = Stay
Red = Go
Orange = They'll make it to camp, and will have to prove they belong on the roster.
(Note: Some mobile versions will not display colors.)
| Position | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
| QB | Carson Wentz | Nick Foles | Nate Sudfeld | |
| RB | Jay Ajayi | LeGarrette Blount | Corey Clement | Darren Sproles |
| RB (cont) | Wendell Smallwood | Donnel Pumphrey | Kenjon Barner | |
| WR | Alshon Jeffery | Torrey Smith | Nelson Agholor | Mack Hollins |
| WR (cont) | Shelton Gibson | Marcus Johnson | ||
| TE | Zach Ertz | Brent Celek | Trey Burton | |
| OT | Jason Peters | Lane Johnson | Halapoulivaati Vaitai | Will Beatty |
| OG | Brandon Brooks | Stefen Wisniewski | Chance Warmack | |
| C | Jason Kelce | Isaac Seumalo | ||
| DE | Brandon Graham | Vinny Curry | Derek Barnett | Chris Long |
| DE (cont) | Steven Means | |||
| DT | Fletcher Cox | Tim Jernigan | Beau Allen | Destiny Vaeao |
| DT (cont) | Elijah Qualls | |||
| LB | ||||
| CB | ||||
| S | ||||
| K/P/LS | ||||
| Head coach | ||||
| Defensive coordinator | ||||
| GM |
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