Timmy Jernigan has the potential to be great for the Eagles
By Ryan Quigley
Timmy Jernigan can be unstoppable at times, according to a Ravens expert.
In case you missed it, the Philadelphia Eagles made their first trade of the offseason Tuesday. The team sent their third-round draft selection (No. 74 overall) to the Baltimore Ravens for defensive tackle Timmy Jernigan and the Ravens’ third-round selection (No. 99 overall).
The trade makes a lot of sense for the Eagles. After losing Bennie Logan in free agency, the team was lacking depth at defensive tackle. Jernigan, still just 24 years old, was ranked by Pro Football Focus as the best run-stopping 3-4 defensive end in the NFL in 2016.
Jernigan clearly has plenty of upside and it appears the Eagles have found an adequate replacement for Logan on the defensive line.
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To find out more about Jernigan, we reached out to Chris Schisler of Ebony Bird for insight on the trade. Be sure to follow Ebony Bird on Twitter for news and notes on the Ravens.
How did Ravens fans feel when the team traded Jernigan to the Eagles?
I think it’s a mixed bag there. It’s not an exciting trade. It gets the Ravens higher in the third round. With Jernigan becoming a free agent next year, the trade makes some sense. Jernigan is good, and every year there’s thought that he may take the step to becoming great. Nobody seems to be freaking out, but some fans probably aren’t thrilled.
I’ve heard some people criticize his work ethic. Is there any truth to that?
It’s not like I know the man, so I won’t comment on his work ethic. However there is a ton of evidence that this guy is a knucklehead. Late hits and boneheaded penalties are a problem with Jernigan. His potential is always a little higher than the results. The Ravens had two studs on their defensive line and they invested in Brandon Williams instead of Jernigan. Now Jernigan is an Eagle. It could work out really well or it could prove to be an underwhelming trade; especially if the Eagles are just renting Jernigan for a year.
What can Eagles fans expect from Jernigan on the field?
What you get with Jernigan is a solid player. He’s a decent space eater. He penetrates well and he has some pass rushing savvy. He goes through stretches where he’s unstoppable but he’s very inconsistent. Jernigan is a good player that has the ability to be great at times.