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Philadelphia Eagles quietly add a very good edge rusher: What the experts think

By Geoffrey Knox

STILL WATER, OK - SEPTEMBER 10: Running back Chris Carson #32 of the Oklahoma State Cowboys tries to stay in bounds as defensive lineman Joe Ostman #45 of the Central Michigan Chippewas stops him during the second half of a NCAA football game, September 10, 2016 at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Oklahoma. Central Michigan won 30-27 on the last play of the game. (Photo by J Pat Carter/Getty Images)
STILL WATER, OK - SEPTEMBER 10: Running back Chris Carson #32 of the Oklahoma State Cowboys tries to stay in bounds as defensive lineman Joe Ostman #45 of the Central Michigan Chippewas stops him during the second half of a NCAA football game, September 10, 2016 at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Oklahoma. Central Michigan won 30-27 on the last play of the game. (Photo by J Pat Carter/Getty Images) /
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The Philadelphia Eagles continue to tweak their roster after quietly adding one of the best undrafted free agents to their roster.

If we weren’t taught anything else by Corey Clement as Philadelphia Eagles fans a season ago, we learned that the draft process doesn’t end because we turn the calendar from April to May. There are only seven rounds in the NFL Draft and 129 programs in NCAA Division 1 FBS football alone. We learned long ago that there will always be opportunities to find talent once the draft is over.

It appears the Eagles are probably energized by what happened with Clement last season. They haven’t been shy about dipping into the pool of undrafted free agents. They’ve added the likes of former Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back Josh Adams and safety Jeremy Reaves of South Alabama. There’s another name that’s popped up recently that’s got some of the experts talking. It belongs to edge rusher Joe Ostman out of Central Michigan.

Okay. Who is this guy?

It’s probably safe to say that most of you haven’t watched a ton of Chippewas football. If you’re included in that bunch, here’s what we have. Ostman’s final year at the collegiate level produced 60 total tackles (19.5 resulted in a loss), 13 sacks and three forced fumbles. NFL.com gave him a prospect grade of 5.47. They see him as having backup or special teams potential. Here’s more of what they said in his draft profile:

"Ostman combines impressive hand work with optimal leverage and play strength to unleash game-long challenges against his competition. However, it will be much tougher to succeed with his linear playing style against longer, stronger competition in the NFL. Ostman may lack desired size attributes but he has enough working in his favor to give him a shot at making a team as a backup 3-4 outside backer with special teams value."

Here’s some of what his addition may mean:

Yes, the Eagles have what seems like 95 defensive ends and play in the traditional 4-3, not the 3-4. Still, when August rolls around, Ostman will have a shot to make the Eagles’ roster. If you look at what Pro Football Focus has to say, that doesn’t appear to be an impossibility.

Take a gander:

"Standing at chiseled 6-foot-3, 255 pounds, former Central Michigan edge defender Joe Ostman plays with great balance and explosion, and his hand usage is some of the best in this class. Of course, being a bit leaner than some might like and hailing from a Group of 5 conference, he slipped out of the draft and landed with the Philadelphia Eagles as an undrafted free agent."

While, Ostman’s talent isn’t questioned, some wonder if he has the physical gifts to win at the professional level, especially in the run game against NFL offenses.

Here’s more from PFF:

"While his small frame was a clear ailment to his run defense, Ostman took no prisoners in his pursuit to the quarterback. While recording an 89.8 pass-rush grade, he ranked No. 11 in pass-rush productivity (13.3) among qualifying edge defenders in 2017, racking up 31 hurries, nine QB hits and 14 sacks across 336 pass-rush snaps.As the Eagles proved a year ago, NFL defenses can’t have enough quality pass-rushers in their arsenal, and Ostman is exactly that."

This is definitely one guy that Eagles coaches and their fans will be paying a ton of attention to.

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