Eagles Stay or Go Part 10: Cary Williams, Wolff and more

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In the 10th and final installment of our offseason series examining the future of the Philadelphia Eagles, Geoff Mosher and Reuben Frank give their opinions on who will be and who won't be on the roster come the start of training camp.

We go alphabetically, and previous player groupings can be found to the right.

DE Cedric Thornton
Geoff: Not only should the Eagles bring him back, but they’d also be wise to extend his contract. They have him for one more year as a restricted free agent. He’s one of the NFL’s best run-stuffing 3-4 D-ends and one-third of a dominant defensive line. Lock him up.
Verdict: Stays

Roob: Hard to believe Thornton was once upon a time released so the Eagles could have room on the 53-man roster for Kyle DeVan. Thornton, a one-time undrafted free agent who spent most of 2011 on the practice squad, is now a key member of a terrific Eagles D-line and hopefully an Eagle for many years to come.
Verdict: Stays

OL Matthew Tobin
Geoff: He disappointed in his short chance to start but he also battled a high ankle sprain from the preseason finale and wasn’t fully healthy when he got into the starting lineup. He’ll be a solid backup who has starter potential if he stays healthy.
Verdict: Stays

Roob: The Eagles have been really high on Tobin since they signed him as an undrafted free agent out of Iowa, but so far we haven’t seen it. They keep saying he’s got a world of talent, but he lost his job to Andrew Gardner, so who knows. Guess they give him another year.
Verdict: Stays

G/C Julian Vandervelde
Geoff: When he’s healthy, he’s a valuable reserve. But he’s had two back procedures so it’s hard to rely on him. He’ll be back next year, but I’d look to upgrade interior offensive line depth this offseason.
Verdict: Stays

Roob: Vandervelde is a smart kid and give him credit for getting four years in the league and an NFL pension. But the Eagles have to get better depth in the interior of their offensive line, so I can see them drafting a guard-center in the late rounds to groom.
Verdict: Goes

DB Jaylen Watkins
Geoff: He has to stay and he has to play. Otherwise, he’s a failed fourth-round pick. Watkins said he expects to start next year, at either corner or safety. There will be opportunities at both positions. Hopefully another offseason in Chip’s program will prepare him to be ready for the pros.
Verdict: Stays

Roob: I saw enough from Watkins in that season-ending Giants game to think he’s got a chance to be a player. First time he ever played defense in an NFL game and he was out there against Odell Beckham and Rueben Randle, and he gave up some plays but he battled and didn’t back down. I like that. Want to see more.
Verdict: Stays

CB Cary Williams
Geoff: I just don’t think he’s coming back, not with a cap figure of more than $6.4 million and not with his outbursts to the media. He’s questioned too many of Chip’s decisions and he’s not exactly an All-Pro corner. Time to move on.
Verdict: Goes

Roob: Williams isn’t the worst cornerback in the league, but when you combine his lack of discipline, his often ridiculous locker room diatribes and his salary, there’s just no reason to keep him. He goes as part of a massive secondary overhaul that leaves only Malcolm Jenkins remaining from the 2014 starting lineup.
Verdict: Goes

S Earl Wolff
Geoff: He’ll be back, but you have to wonder if he’ll be given a fair shot to compete. Wolff had already fallen out of favor with the coaching staff and then he underwent season-ending knee surgery. The team will probably overhaul his position in the offseason and he’ll have to fight for a roster spot.
Verdict: Stays

Roob: I’ve just seen enough from Wolff. He’s 25 years old now, and we still haven’t seen anything from him other than a brief flash of promise here and there. It’s time to rebuild the secondary and there isn’t room for Wolf anymore.
Verdict: Goes

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