3 Philadelphia Eagles who have to take the next step this season

Eagles who need to take the next step: 2. Terrell Edmunds

Letting C.J. Gardner-Johnson walk in free agency made financial sense for the Eagles’ front office, but his departure leaves the team’s defense without one of its most valuable playmakers from last season. Stealing Terrell Edmunds away from the Steelers was a nice pivot for Philadelphia, but they need the former first-rounder to have a career year to replace Johnson’s production.

The odds are stacked against that happening for the athletic safety. He has been a steady performer during his time in the NFL, but he lacks the playmaking ability the Eagles got from Johnson. The more reasonable plan for the Eagles should be to let Edmunds steady the back line and allow other defenders to take more risks.

The reality that Johnson notched six interceptions last season while Edmunds failed to produce a single turnover perfectly illustrates the difference between the two players. It’s possible the Eagles scheme will free Edmunds to take more chances but he’s never going to become the playmaker that Gardner-Johnson is.

The pressure on Edmunds is also amplified because the Eagles will be breaking in a new starter at free safety as well. Marcus Epps wasn’t a spectacular performer last year but he was a solid player in the back end. The combination of Edmunds and Reed Blankenship will be under a microscope all season long.