By: Jake Rajala

The Philadelphia Eagles clawed their way to a playoff berth last season. The Jalen Hurts-led Eagles could really benefit from x-factors helping them return to the post-season in the improved NFC East. With that said, I’m going to outline three breakout candidates for the Eagles.

Marcus Epps

It sadly appeared that the Eagles struck out on the Honey Badger sweepstakes. Per NBC Sports, they made it clear that they still had a lot of confidence in Marcus Epps. In fact, the fourth-year safety was performing better than previous starters: Rodney McLeod and Anthony Harris. PFF ranked him as the 18th best safety last season and his production should spike as a “full-time starter on a much-improved defense”. The Eagles additions of Haason Reddick (11 sacks in 2021) and first-round pick Jordan Davis should really help the secondary immediately.

DeVonta Smith

The Eagles 2021 rookie DeVonta Smith was successful (916 yards, 5 touchdowns), but I expect to be one of the league’s top WR2s in 2022. He wasn’t quite able to notch a Pro Bowl nod or OROY honors. Jalen Hurts and Smith will continue to grow this off-season, and I foresee the well-rounded Smith capitalizing from AJ Brown’s match-ups. Besides, Jalen Reagor and Quez Watkins aren’t close to the same caliber as the former Heisman winner. Brown, Smith, and Dallas Goedert should be the “be and end all” receiving weaponry for Hurts.

Kyzir White

The Eagles new LB Kyzir White had a career season in LA in 2021 (144 combined tackles, 7 TFLs) and he will strive to build on his 2021 season in a more talented 2022 situation. White is a tremendous downhill LB and he should excel behind the big-man Fletcher Cox. Demario Davis was an unearthly LB FA signing for the Saints, perhaps White can be a special pick-up for the Eagles squad. White may be the most underrated FA signing from the Eagles this off-season.

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