PFF Ranks Eagles Defensive Front Outside Top-20

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- The strong suit of the Philadelphia Eagles heading into the 2016 season is supposed to be their defensive front.

With Fletcher Cox (and his new $100 million contract), Bennie Logan, Brandon Graham, Connor Barwin, Jordan Hicks, and Mychal Kendricks -- led by new defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz and his aggressive 4-3 system -- you would think the Eagles could make things difficult for opposing quarterbacks.

However, in a new defensive front rankings list done by Pro Football Focus, the Eagles were not listed inside the top-20. PFF ranks the Eagles' front as the 21st best unit in football, still good enough for second best in the NFC East behind only the New York Giants (No. 12).

PFF points to the depth of the Eagles' front as their biggest concern.

"The defensive line is strong with a limited rotation, but beyond fifth lineman Vinny Curry, a versatile pass-rush weapon, the depth is shaky. Those issues creep into the starting lineup at linebacker, where the Eagles will have to hope Jordan Hicks can pick up where he left off in his rookie campaign to lead the group. Mychal Kendricks and Nigel Bradham, meanwhile are coming off of poor seasons and will hope to return to former glories if the Eagles are to outperform this ranking in 2016."

The top-five ranked defensive fronts, according to PFF, are the Denver Broncos, Seattle Seahawks, Carolina Panthers, Los Angeles Rams, and Oakland Raiders.