Philadelphia Eagles 2017 NFL Draft mid season grades
Nathan Gerry, LB, 5th Round.
Nathan Gerry has been one of the more interesting prospects in this year’s draft. Not exactly because of his talent, but because of his hybrid position status. Gerry entered the 2017 NFL Draft as a safety. When he was taken by the Eagles with the 184th pick, they decided that they were going to turn him into a linebacker.
Gerry was expected to make a solid case to make the roster in the preseason. Unfortunately, he was not able to show enough since he missed two of the four games due to injury. His lack of preseason statistics got him cut from the team at the end of training camp. The Eagles weren’t ready to give up on him yet as they signed him to the practice squad.
Gerry will get his second shot to prove his coaches wrong for the second half of the season. He has been signed from the practice squad just two weeks ago as middle linebacker Jordan Hicks was struggling with a calf injury. Hicks’ injury lingered on and ended up becoming a season-ending injury which will likely keep Gerry around.
He still has yet to receive any real playing time. As the trade deadline approaches, the Eagles will reportedly be making some moves. Maybe a trade for a linebacker is in the works. It is understandable that the Eagles do not trust their current situation with young and inexperienced middle linebackers. But if they do bring in more bodies at the position, you can bet that Gerry gets sent back to the practice squad.