Getty The Eagles could release DT Kentavius Street before the season.
The Philadelphia Eagles could make a tough decision when it comes to their 53-man roster, according to one writer.
Defensive tackle Kentavius Street is one of seven Eagles veterans who could be in “jeopardy” of losing their jobs, Delaware News Journal’s Martin Frank wrote in a story published June 13.
Why Kentavius Street Could Be Released
Although Street had a career-high 3.5 sacks last season, the Eagles already have several players taking up that position.
“He’s coming into a loaded position for the Eagles with [seven-time Pro Bowler] Fletcher Cox, first-round pick Jalen Carter, 2022 first-round pick Jordan Davis and 2021 third-round pick Milton Williams,” Frank wrote. “The Eagles also have seventh-round pick Moro Ojomo, along with Marlon Tuipulotu, who’s working his way back from a torn ACL. So Street, another low-cost free agent signing, doesn’t have a spot locked up.”
It’s hard to argue against Frank’s point that Philadelphia is filled with depth at defensive tackle. Cox and Davis are the projected starters are Fletcher Cox and 2022 first-round draft pick Jordan Davis, and behind them are Carter and Williams.
In other words, Street is fifth on the pecking order of defensive tackles. If there’s any argument for Street remaining on the roster by the time the regular season rolls around, it’s that the Eagles had six defensive tackles on their roster during the 2022 season.
And, according an April story in The Philadelphia Inquirer, Street “figures to be part of a defensive tackle rotation” this season. And NJ.com wrote in April that “part of Street’s game is the power he generates when trying to get into a gap and cause pressure up the middle,” noting that he had been “focusing on being more explosive once the ball is snapped and being quick enough to chase down carriers.”
Street is signed to a one-year, $1.28 million deal with the Eagles. Not only is it a bargain-level deal, Street could be cut by Philadelphia for a dead cap hit of just $500,000.
Outside of his 3.5 sacks, Street also posted career-high totals with 29 tackles and eight quarterback hits to go along with 518 defensive snaps.
According to Pro Football Focus, Street’s advanced numbers are less than stellar. His defensive grade last season was just 49.2, which was the lowest of any of the Eagles’ defensive tackles outside of Marlon Tuipulotu.
Street’s spot on the roster is far from locked up, Frank wrote. It might take an impressive training camp or a preseason injury by another defensive tackle to cement Street’s spot on the 53-man roster
Derek Barnett’s Roster Spot Also in ‘Jeopardy,’ Writer Says
Another Eagles veteran who could be on the fringe of the roster is none other than longtime defensive end Derek Barnett. The former starter and first-round draft pick also enters training camp at a loaded position, as Frank notes.
“Barnett never panned out as a first-round pick in 2017, and he’s coming off a torn ACL,” Frank wrote. “There’s no word on if Barnett will be ready for training camp. But he’s in the final year of a two-year extension, and the Eagles can cut him with a post-June 1st designation and thus only have a $3 million dead money hit. The Eagles are deep at edge rusher after drafting Nolan Smith at the end of the first round, in addition to returning Haason Reddick (16 sacks), Brandon Graham (11) and Josh Sweat (11).”
Barnett missed virtually the entire season due to a torn ACL and the Eagles ended up posting the third-highest sack total in NFL history (70 sacks). With three established pass rushers and first-round draft pick Nolan Smith in the fold, it might be only a matter of time before Philadelphia moves on from Barnett.
Barnett would be expendable given the edge rushers we have with Sweat, Riddick, Smith and Graham. Barnett hasn’t produced and is a penalty problem taking the dumbest penalties at the worst times. The cap savings may make this a no brainer as well.