The Philadelphia Eagles rank amongst the most unlikely Super Bowl participants in recent memory. Despite losing starting quarterback and MVP candidate Carson Wentz in Week 14, the Eagles won two games to reach Super Bowl LII—and they’ve done so with a pass-heavy offense.
With Nick Foles likely to move on to a starting situation, the Eagles must take this opportunity to provide Carson Wentz with the necessary support to build upon this team success.
While some may want an offensive player, the best way to help Wentz is to keep the defense in top form. Pro Football Focus rated Patrick Robinson as the No. 4 cornerback in the NFL, but now 30 years old and a free agent, his future in Philadelphia is in question.
It would be unfair to place the burden that Robinson carried on an incoming rookie, but in the long-term, Isaiah Oliver could help Philadelphia achieve sustainability.
Oliver’s speed is still a question mark, but he has the size, length, and physicality to fit the Eagles’ defense. He’s at his best in press man coverage, as his strong hands enable him to jam wide receivers directly at the line of scrimmage.
That type of physical presence could be exactly what the Eagles need to ensure that, with or without Robinson, this defense remains elite.