Reuben Frank and Dave Zangaro continue our series examining the future of the world champion Eagles.
All of our previous Stay or Go posts can be found here.
Destiny Vaeao
Roob: Vaeao played 231 snaps in 11 games and that's a significant amount for a backup defensive tackle. Vaeao, undrafted out of Washington State two years ago, isn't a playmaker or a pass rusher, but in a limited role he seems to be a capable run stuffer, and the way Jim Schwartz rotates his linemen, that's a key role. And his minimum-wage salary doesn't hurt his chances. The Eagles could easily replace Vaeao in the draft. They haven't taken a defensive tackle in the first five rounds in the last four drafts. But for now, I'd expect Vaeao to stick around.
Verdict: STAYS
Dave: The undrafted defensive tackle from a year ago had to battle through a hand injury and surgery during the 2017 season, but still managed to play 22 percent of the Eagles' defensive snaps. With Beau Allen's becoming a free agent, Vaeao might actually get to play a bigger role with the defense in 2018.
Verdict: STAYS
Halapoulivaati Vaitai
Roob: Big V was such a crucial part of the offensive line during the Super Bowl run. What a story. It's a lot to ask a fifth-round draft pick to replace a Hall of Famer, but that's what he did. By the time the playoffs rolled around, Big V was playing at a high, consistent level. Doug Pederson said he expects Jason Peters to be his opening-day left tackle next year, but eventually the job will be Big V's.
NFL
Verdict: STAYS
Dave: Big V might very well be one of the biggest reasons the Eagles won a Super Bowl. Think about it. When Peters went down, there were a bunch of fans who were trying to figure out a way for Howie Roseman to pull off a trade for a veteran. Instead, the Eagles stuck with Vaitai and he played very well. Was he Peters? No. Before Peters went down, he was playing at an All-Pro level. But Vaitai more than held his own. Whether he's the starter or is back to being a backup next season, he isn't going anywhere.
Verdict: STAYS
Joe Walker
Roob: Walker, a seventh-round pick in 2016 out of Oregon, has been around a couple years and got into 12 games this past year, playing 97 snaps on defense and 127 on special teams. Walker can always tell his kids he won a Super Bowl ring with the Eagles, but he didn't show enough on defense or special teams to warrant another year.
Verdict: GOES
Dave: For a while in 2017, it looked like Walker would have a big role. He should have been the guy to replace Jordan Hicks in the team's base package. But Najee Goode got a chance and then the team brought in Dannell Ellerbe, who eventually took over. Walker suffered a stinger and ended his second NFL season on IR. Really, the move to bring back Bryan Braman took away Walker's biggest role on special teams. He might not have provided the Eagles with the caliber of backup linebacker they hoped for, but he still has value on special teams. He'll be a bubble guy.
Verdict: STAYS
