Eagles Defense Has 'Plenty of Talent to Work With,' Enough to Be NFL's Best?

The Philadelphia Eagles were supposed to take a big hit this offseason with the departure of free agents like defensive tackle Javon Hargrave to the San Francisco 49ers and safeties Chauncey Gardner-Johnson to the Detroit Lions and Marcus Epps to the Las Vegas Raiders.

Linebacker T.J. Edwards also left the Eagles, joining the Chicago Bears, while Kyzir White chose to continue his NFL career with the Arizona Cardinals.

Following the NFL Draft, however, former NFL coach Chuck Pagano not only thinks Philadelphia did a solid job replacing their losses, but he also ranks them No. 2 on his list of top five defenses in the league.

"Considering how many players on the Philadelphia Eagles defense were expected to leave via free agency they're in decent shape," writes Pagano for 33rd Team. "GM Howie Roseman has done a phenomenal job of drafting, finding free agents and re-signing their own players."

Arguably the biggest player signed to a new deal with the Eagles is cornerback Darius Slay who appeared to be on his way out - and even said his goodbyes - before ultimately extending with the team. 

Philadelphia does have some ground to cover though before claiming its spot near the top of the NFL defensive charts. 

With defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon off to coach the Arizona Cardinals and consultant Vic Fangio headed to the Miami Dolphins organization, new coordinator Sean Desai has big shoes to fill. 

"The Eagles also continued to draft talented players from Georgia," Pagano says while pointing out the weapons Desai will have to help him rise to the occasion. "This year they moved up to pick (defensive lineman) Jalen Carter...they added a fast edge rusher in Nolan Smith...Then they took (cornerback)Kelee Ringo...It's the rich get richer."

Pagano also praises the selection of Illinois safety Sydney Brown, "who brings great football IQ and great football character."

Philadelphia's defense certainly got younger, and the unit got a bit more inexperienced in terms of on-field leadership and coaching history. 

But make no mistake about it, "There is plenty of talent to work with in Philadelphia," says Pagano. 

There's a whole lot of reasons to think the Eagles may have not only saved their defense from the mass exodus we all foresaw but may have actually gotten it better in the process.

Find David on Twitter @DHarrison82