The Philadelphia Eagles missed out on the playoffs despite a 10-6 record, the second winning season the organization has posted in the Chip Kelly era thanks in large part to another monumental year from the offense.
The defense, on the other hand, was horrendously bad against the pass, but the front-seven of coordinator Billy Davis' unit saw several members take exponential leaps in their play.
Two of those players - defensive end Fletcher Cox and Mychal Kendricks - are entering the final year of their rookie deals and seem like prime candidates to receive contract extensions from the team this offseason.
Cox, still only 24, took a massive step forward in his second season in Davis' 3-4 base scheme last season, finishing the year with 61 tackles and four sacks, totals that don't come anywhere near doing justice to the effort he put forth on the field.
"Cox was the best player on the team last year and performed at a Pro Bowl level," writes Sheil Kapadia of Philly Mag. "He's exactly the kind of homegrown talent the Eagles should lock up and build around. It's hard to believe that he's only 24 years old. Getting something done with Cox long-term should be a priority for the franchise in the coming weeks. And I think it will be."
Last year, the Houston Texans made J.J. Watt, the premier 3-4 defensive end - and probably defensive player - in the league, the highest paid defender in NFL history. Cox's deal won't approach the nearly $52 million the Texans guaranteed Watt, but it won't be all that far off.
As for Kendricks, he's proved to be an explosive athlete and a great blitzer, but he's got a bit of an injury history - he missed four games this season and one each of the past two seasons - so his deal may reflect that.
"The development of Kendricks has been really interesting to watch. He suffered growing pains as a rookie before his highly erratic sophomore campaign. It wasn't until last season where he really showed the ability to be a consistent difference maker on defense," writes Brandon Lee Gowton of Bleeding Green Nation. "He's arguably one of the Eagles best pass rushers. He can also drop into coverage and defend against the run."
The incentive-laden contract given to Donald Bulter, a 26-year-old former third-round pick of the San Diego Chargers - total value of $51.8, with only $11.15 guaranteed - could be a good general barometer.
Even with the games missed due to injury, Kendricks posted 83 tackles, four sacks and three forced fumbles a year after amassing 106 tackles, four sacks, two forced fumbles and three interceptions.
His growth is immensely important for an Eagles team lacking in inside linebacker depth beyond the aging and injured DeMeco Ryans.
Both Kendricks and Cox form a base of talent the team will look to build their defense around in the coming years. Locking them up to long-term extensions will ensure they remain integral pieces for a team, seemingly, on the rise.
