This next statement is going to sound strange, but most of you will agree once you've read it. Sundays without a Philadelphia Eagles game to watch can be trying. Still, as hard as it has been to get equally excited about the 76ers or the Phillies, this is also one of the more exciting portions of the NFL's offseason schedule.
Why is that? The answer is simple. It's time to build a roster again. Every team is 0-0. Here's where we all can be imaginary general managers and toss around roster theories.
Do the Eagles listen to us? Absolutely not, but that isn't the point. We're all prognosticators come February and March. The scouting combine is up next, but after that comes the new league year and free agency, and several Birds can test the waters and/or find new homes, including two that we haven't mentioned very often.
Sam Howell, A.J. Dillon earn mentions in ESPN's free-agency projection.
In an intriguing read cooked up for ESPN, the best available offensive players took center stage before the combine cranks up. Available talent was split into six tiers: franchise players, Pro Bowl-caliber starters, capable starters, borderline starters/high-end backups, backups likely to earn guaranteed money, and backups likely to earn a roster spot.
Now, looking at that, where would you expect Sam Howell and A.J. Dillon to land? Stumped? Here's your answer. Both land in 'Tier 6', a.k.a. backups likely to earn roster spot.
"The Seahawks, Vikings and Eagles have all traded for Howell over the past couple of years, but he has thrown just 14 passes over that time frame, with the Vikings preferring to add Wentz over the possibility of playing Howell. Wentz led the league in both interceptions and sacks in his lone year as a starter with Washington. Pickett has also bounced around the league over that same stretch, finishing fourth in Cleveland's four-man rumba for three spots last summer. He's 16-11 as a starter without exhibiting any sort of sustained offensive proficiency."
That's the theory mentioning Howell. No quarterbacks were named to tier 1 and 2, by the way. Dillon found his way into tier 6 when the running backs took center stage in this theory. Jahan Dotson and Grant Calcaterra, though not necessarily in the 'forgotten' category, land among the tier 5 wide receivers and tier 5 tight ends, respectively. Kylen Granson is ranked among the tier 6 tight ends.
For those interested in Dallas Goedert's standing, he's in tier 3 among the tight ends, capable starters.
Fred Johnson lands among the offensive linemen who are guaranteed to net guaranteed money. Meanwhile, Matt Pryor and Brett Toth are among the backups likely to earn a roster spot.
This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: Forgotten Eagles free agents projected to earn opportunities elsewhere