After the 2017 NFL draft, it appeared the Philadelphia Eagles were building a team for the future, and not for the present. In the first round, they chose defensive end Derek Barnett, who beat Eagles legend Reggie White’s school sack record at Tennessee.

General manager Howie Roseman’s haul from the event also included two promising cornerbacks, two speedy wide receivers and the most productive running back in NCAA history.

In addition to these exciting draft picks, Philadelphia also traded for Tim Jernigan, a young defensive tackle to pair with Fletcher Cox.

Just months earlier, the Eagles had signed two talented wide receivers and a veteran QB to stimulate the growth of Carson Wentz. Fast forward to training camp, and Roseman struck again, acquiring cornerback Ronald Darby from the Bills to address the team’s greatest weakness.

Most predictions for the 2017 season included phrases like “young team,” “improved from last year” or “great things are coming,” but few had phrases such as “division champions,” “conference champions,” or “Super Bowl champions.”

Here we are at the end of January 2018, and the Eagles are about to appear in the Super Bowl, the third in franchise history. As great as this 2017 Eagles team is, one thing seems all but certain: The Eagles are going to be even better next year.

If you consider both of slot wide receivers and the nickel corner as starters, the Eagles will return 22 out of 24 starters in 2018. The team will also see key players such as Wentz, Jordan Hicks and Jason Peters return to full health.

A lot can change between now and August. The salary cap situation might force the Eagles to cut a few of these players, but as of today, the starting 2018 line up looks something like this:

The only two starters projected to become free agents are linebacker Nigel Bradham and CB Patrick Robinson, both of whom the Eagles should look to re-sign.

In addition to these starters, the Eagles also have many key depth players under contract through 2018, including Barnett, DE Chris Long, RB Corey Clement, WR Mack Hollins, ST Chris Maragos, QB Nick Foles and LT Halapoulivaati Vaitai. The deep playoff run has also helped to keep the coaching staff intact, which will add a level of chemistry between the players and coaches heading into the third year of the regime.

So while you prepare for the Super Bowl, just keep one thing in mind: The Patriots have been great for a long time, but as Tom Brady nears retirement and tensions continue to rise in New England, their time could be running out. For the Eagles, however, 2017 seems like the first year of something special.