Eagles: A few possible pieces that can be added at linebacker
With the NFL offseason winding down, how can the Eagles still improve at the Linebacker position?
Looking at the Philadelphia Eagles roster, the linebacker position is arguably one of the weakest position groups on the team. They have two solid starters in rising star Jordan Hicks and hard-hitting Nigel Bradham, that’s pretty much the gist of it.
Mychal Kendricks struggled in his first season playing in Jim Schwartz‘s system. Due to his struggles, the Eagles were once looking to trade to him, or they may release him in the near future. Najee Goode is decent, but there are questions about whether or not he can he be a reliable starter. Rookie Nathan Gerry is a converted safety. He’ll need time to learn position. Joe Walker is coming off a torn ACL, but he showed promise in minicamp.
Given that the free agency period is nearing its’ end, what can the Eagles do at this point?
A few options:
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Luckily for Philadelphia, there are still a few linebackers in the free agency pool that the Eagles could land who would be inexpensive. Two proven veterans that come to mind are DeAndre Levy and D’Qwell Jackson. Levy was a 2014 Second-team All Pro when he recorded a combined 151 tackles. The down side is he’s only played in six games in the last two seasons.
Jackson is a former 2014 Pro Bowler and has been one of the most underrated defensive players in the NFL for the past couple of seasons. Jackson has posted a combined 100 tackles seven times during his career. The only knock on Jackson is the fact that he’s going to be 34 years old at the start of the coming season.
A few options that are below the radar:
Other players that the Eagles could consider are Justin Durant and Perry Riley Jr. Durant might be the better fit given the fact that he has played the “Sam” linebacker position, the same position Kendricks plays. If the Eagles get rid of Kendricks, Durant could serve as a starter and “band-aid” on the strong side. The Eagles could also trade for a linebacker as well.
Ultimately, it wouldn’t hurt if the Eagles picked up another linebacker to help with their issues at that position.