Just about very year, a player comes out of nowhere and plays at a level far higher than expected. Last season, Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Jordan Hicks played like a 10-year veteran in just his second professional season. Not only did he exceed expectations on the field, but he also became an important presence in the locker room.
Hicks’ development as a player and leader gave the Eagles a nice boost last season. Despite finishing off with a 7-9 record, the team was consistently competitive and never failed to keep games interesting. The Eagles lost by a touchdown or less in six of their nine losses in 2016, which signifies they may not be too far off from becoming a potential playoff caliber squad.