Could the Philadelphia Eagles go with Malik Jefferson at pick 32?

The last time the Philadelphia Eagles plucked a linebacker from the Texas Longhorns, they found a good one, but ‘The Birds’ have some issues heading into 2018’s off-season.

During the first couple of days of the 2018 NFL Combine, we learned that the Philadelphia Eagles had worked their way into a formal meeting with Texas Longhorns inside linebacker Malik Jefferson. No one had any problem with that. If there’s any question about the Eagles defense, it’s probably at the second level. There’s talent, but they’re thin and there are question marks.

As the 2018 NFL Draft approaches, expect a lot of talk to be focused on that unit. A season ago, we questioned the durability of Jordan Hicks slightly despite the fact that he completed the 2016 regular season without anything catastrophic happening. Mychal Kendricks asked, at one point, to be traded, but Philly was able to keep him happy and in the fold. Nigel Bradham saw his name in some headlines for the wrong reasons early, but so far, so good on that front as well.

The hope going into the 2018 off-season is the Eagles can get Bradham signed to an extension relatively quickly.

Malik Jefferson could satisfy some issues if the Eagles do, indeed, take him at number 32.

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2017 was a tough season for linebackers coach Ken Flajole and defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz. They, basically, had to play musical chairs all season. Hicks, who was also a product of the Longhorns program, was lost in a Week 7 victory over the Washington Redskins for the season. Despite making it through the 2016, Hicks hasn’t been able to complete two of his first three seasons in the NFL.

His replacement, Joe Walker, was gone by December 29th, after suffering a season-ending injury in Week 12 versus the Chicago Bears. Bradham, who started the season as an outside linebacker, was calling the defensive plays by season’s end. Eventually, the Eagles would land Dannell Ellerbe. That was smart, but he, honestly, was one of those band-aids executive vice president of football operations Howie Roseman discussed at the beginning of the season (and said he wanted to avoid).

That leaves Kamu Grugier-Hill, Nathan Gerry, Najee Goode and Mychal Kendricks. The last name on that list is one of the longer-tenured Eagles. He’s due $5.8 million in 2018 and $6.8 million in 2019. With all the issues the Eagles have with the salary cap, expect questions to arise about whether or not Kendricks might be moved.

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It’s a long time between now and the end of April.

To make long stories short, Malik Jefferson would make a welcomed addition to Philly’s linebacker grouping. In his final season at Texas, he racked up 110 tackles (10 were for a loss) and four sacks. He struggles in pass coverage from time to time, but he always finds a way to be around the ball. He’s projected as a second or third rounder by several NFL scouts. Might the Eagles take a serious interest at pick 32?

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