By Eliot Shorr-Parks | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

There was one clear goal for the Eagles this offseason -- improve an offense that left a lot to be desired last season.

The Eagles invested a lot of money in trying to make that happen, signing two new receivers, drafting two more and adding two new running backs.

Is the offense improved -- and who are the best players on the defense?

Here is a ranking of the 11 projected starters, from worst to best.

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11. TORREY SMITH, WR

Smith is coming off of a disappointing season with the San Francisco 49ers, catching just 20 passes for 230 yards and three touchdowns. By comparison, Eagles receiver Nelson Agholor -- who was benched for poor play -- caught 36 passes for 365 yards and two touchdowns.

Smith very well might have a bounce back season with the Eagles, and he has looked good during OTAs, but as of now he is the weak link on the team's offense.

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TOP BACKUP: Nelson Agholor

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10. ALLEN BARBRE, OG

The Eagles were willing to let Barbre go this past offseason, allowing him to talk to other teams about a possible trade. Barbre is back, however, and once he was healthy during OTAs he seemed to be taking the majority of the snaps with the first-team offense. Barbre is a very dependable offensive lineman, but the Eagles' offensive line is a very talented unit. There is no shame in coming in last on this offensive line.

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TOP BACKUP: Isaac Seumalo

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WILL BLOUNT BE A HIT OR MISS FOR EAGLES?

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9. LEGARRETTE BLOUNT

Blount is coming off of a Pro Bowl caliber season, finishing 1,161 yards and a whopping 18 touchdowns last season with the New England Patriots. The question is, can he repeat that level of play next season with the Eagles? History says no, as past players who have had the workload Blount had last season (325 total touches) have seen a significant drop off the following season.

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TOP BACKUP: Darren Sproles

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8. JASON PETERS, OT

The fact Peters is even on this list is surprising. After poor play in the 2015 season, 2016 seemed to be his last with the team. Instead, Peters turned in a very solid year, playing in all 16 games and being arguably the team's most reliable offensive lineman. Now, Peters is going to be with the Eagles through at least 2018. Can he turn in another season like 2016? The Eagles are banking on it.

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TOP BACKUP: Lane Johnson

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WHERE DOES WENTZ RANK AMONG QBs?

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7. JASON KELCE, C

Kelce got off to a poor start in 2016. In the final 10 games, however, Kelce played at a very high level and he turned that into a spot in the Pro Bowl. Heading into next season, it will be interesting to see if Kelce can keep his strong play from the end of the season up, or if he will return to his level of play from the beginning of last season.

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TOP BACKUP: Stefen Wisniewski

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6. JORDAN MATTHEWS, WR

Matthews could end the season higher on this list than sixth. He should get plenty of targets this season, and with receiver Alshon Jeffery on the outside, he won't be the focus of opposing defenses. This could be his last season with the team as his contract has just one year remaining.

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TOP BACKUP: Nelson Agholor

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CAN EAGLES WIN NFC EAST?

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5. ALSHON JEFFERY, WR

The Eagles are banking on Jeffery being able to produce as a No. 1 receiver, something he has not been able to do as the top option on a team. Jeffery certainly has the talent to do so, but he has been far too inconsistent in his career so far.

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TOP BACKUP: Mack Hollins

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4. BRANDON BROOKS, OL

Brooks is one of the best guards in the NFL and played at a very high level for the Eagles last season. Of all the deals that top personnel executive Howie Roseman handed out last offseason, the deal he handed to Brooks might have been the best one.

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TOP BACKUP: Chance Warmack

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WHO IS FIGHTING FOR A ROSTER SPOT?

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3. ZACH ERTZ, TE

Although he still doesn't have the touchdown numbers that many are looking for, Ertz has climbed his way into being one of the top five tight ends in the NFL. Now, for the first time in his career, Ertz will start a season with the same quarterback he started the last one with. The relationship and chemistry between Ertz and Wentz could result in big things this season.

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TOP BACKUP: Brent Celek

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2. CARSON WENTZ, QB

Wentz is the most valuable player not only on the offense but on the entire roster. He has the talent to turn into one of the best quarterbacks in the league. He showed flashes last season of not being that far away from making this team a serious playoff contender. Still, he comes in at No. 2 on this list because his stats -- 16 touchdowns to 14 interceptions -- left a lot to be desired.

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TOP BACKUP: Nick Foles

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TOP 10 BARGAINS ON EAGLES

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1. LANE JOHNSON, OT

It is hard sometimes to quantify just how important -- and just how good -- an offensive lineman is.

With Johnson, however, it is clear.

Last season the Eagles were 5-1 with Johnson on the field, and 2-8 without him. If Johnson isn't suspended 10 games for a failed PED test, the Eagles might be coming off of a trip to the playoffs.

Johnson is not only one of the best right tackles in the NFL, but he has also shown he has the ability to play left tackle -- making him one of the best offensive tackles in the NFL.

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TOP BACKUP: Halapoulivaati Vaitai

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RANKING THE EAGLES STARTERS ON DEFENSE

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WHERE TO REACH ME

Eliot Shorr-Parks may be reached at eshorrpa@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @EliotShorrParks. Find NJ.com Eagles on Facebook.

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