Inside Linebacker a Priority for Philadelphia Eagles
Jan 2, 2015; San Antonio, TX, USA; UCLA Bruins linebacker Eric Kendricks holds the outstanding defensive player trophy after the game against the Kansas State Wildcats in the 2015 Alamo Bowl at Alamodome. UCLA defeated Kansas State 40-35. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
It is no secret that the Philadelphia Eagles struggled in the secondary last season. My three part series highlighted Philadelphia’s challenges, the veteran free agents, and the rookie draft prospects the Eagles should consider acquiring for the 2015 season. The defensive backfield problems are well document, but the second greatest area of need for Philadelphia, in my opinion, is at the inside linebacker position.
Philadelphia’s run defense was substantially better than the pass defense; they still allowed the NFL’s 18th worst 1,771 rushing yards and 110.7 rush yards per game along with being tied for the league’s 10th worst 14 rushing touchdowns. Fans can argue that those numbers are below average, but the fact that the Eagles held it together after losing starting inside linebacker DeMeco Ryans to his second Achilles injury in two years is somewhat impressive. Inside linebacker Mychal Kendricks also missed a substantial chunk of the season with a calf injury and backup ILB Najee Goode who projected to log substantial minutes was placed on injured reserve with a torn pectoral muscle.
Both Emmanuel Acho and Casey Matthews were pressed into service at left inside linebacker given Philadelphia’s injuries. Acho missed a couple of games with injury and Matthews did a serviceable job collecting 1.5 sacks and 53 combined tackles with one forced fumble in the final year of his contract. The injuries were such an issue for Philadelphia that the team had to move 2014 first round draft pick and outside linebacker Marcus Smith Jr. inside.
The Eagles need to find a starting caliber ILB in case Ryans struggles to regain his form or if Kendricks misses game time again. Linebacker depth was a glaring weakness and I believe Philadelphia needs to take a look at filling that need via either free agency or the draft. The top ILB free agent who stands out as an Eagles prospect is Dallas Cowboys Rolando McClain. The 26-year-old McClain did not live up to his draft expectations for years with the Oakland Raiders while also experiencing off field issues including multiple arrests. However, his career was reborn last season as he had an incredible season with the Cowboys while also being ranked as Pro Football Focus top ranked ILB free agent. Philadelphia would be lucky to have a player like McClain backing up Ryans and Kendricks and who could start for long stretchs in case of injury.
From a draft perspective, the guy who I think Philadelphia needs to consider is UCLA linebacker Eric Kendricks. If the name sounds familiar, it’s because he’s Mychal Kendricks younger brother. Eric collected 149 combined tackles, four sacks, two passes broken up, three interceptions and one forced fumble in 2014 while winning the Butkus Award as the nation’s top college linebacker. Kendricks the younger can flat out play football, and I know the Kendricks would love to have a family reunion at the Eagles inside linebacker position in 2015. The big question is whether or not the Bruin standout will fall down to the Eagles with their number 20 overall draft pick.
Philadelphia needs to shore up their linebacker depth in order to improve their run defense for 2015. Either gaining depth via acquiring a free agent like Rolando McClain or drafting a top prospect like Eric Kendricks; the Eagles must be able to plug in a starting caliber player to prevent the drop off in execution the team experienced last season.