Eagles linked to star LB we haven’t mentioned often (and we love the idea)
It didn’t take much to arrive at the opinion that Harold Landry had a shot at being pretty special once he left the NCAA for the greener pastures of the NFL. A former standout on defense with the Boston College Eagles, the six-foot-two, 252-pounder placed a Second-Team All-ACC trophy on the shelf in 2016 before receiving a Third-Team nod in 2017. The Philadelphia Eagles saw him get snatched off of the board during the 2018 NFL Draft before they’d have a shot to debate in their war room about whether or not he’d be a good fit.
That’s quite alright. Nobody was stressing.
Philly had just won the Super Bowl and made the decision to trade the final selection of the first round to the Baltimore Ravens. The Birds moved back to 52 (Does that number sound familiar?). They also snagged the Ravens’ fourth-round choice in 2018 (the 125th-overall selection) and a second-round pick in 2019.
Baltimore used the 32nd-overall selection they acquired from Philadelphia to land their franchise quarterback, Lamar Jackson. Landry landed with the Tennessee Titans as the 41st-overall selection. Philly, when they were finally on the clock, wound up with a tight end who’s pretty good, Dallas Goedert. Again everybody was happy.
Football is about continually getting better though. The Eagles, with money to spend and a healthy number of draft picks, have an opportunity to bolster their roster, and a very trustworthy source believes that adding a linebacker is a power move they should consider making.
Is adding Harold Landry a wise move for this Eagles franchise?
In 38 career games with the Boston College Eagles, Landry racked up 158 total tackles, 25 sacks, six pass breakups, ten forced fumbles, and an interception. The theory was, if that type of production could translate to the professional level, Tennessee would have a star.
Harold has answered the call to the tune of 256 total tackles, 31 sacks, eight pass breakups, three forced fumbles, and two interceptions. He also earned his first Pro Bowl nod in 2021. The Titans have something to think about though.
They have a lot to figure out in terms of cap space as, in 2022, they have to dish out quite a bit o coin for guys like Ryan Tannehill, Bud Dupree, Julio Jones, and Kevin Byard. Landry, one of their impending free agents could be looking for a new home in 2022, and that’s part of the reason Around The NFL Writer Nick Shook see’s the Eagles as a potential fit.
Here’s an excerpt from something he cooked up recently, 2022 NFL free agency matchmaking: One fit for each NFC team.
"The Eagles have some money to spend and could upgrade their defense via free agency by signing Landry, one of three Titans to finish with 8.5 or more sacks in 2021. For a team that has too often battled injuries all over the field, Landry would be a welcome addition, thanks to his production and his consistent availability. With Landry, Fletcher Cox, Javon Hargrave and Josh Sweat, the Eagles would have a formidable defensive front that should excite their fans."
Landry is uniquely valuable. Though some may question whether or not he’s a scheme fit having spent his entire NFL career, to this point, in Tennessee’s 3-4 scheme (the Eagles run a base 4-3), he also spent time playing defensive end at the collegiate level a la Brandon Graham.
B.G. played defensive end for Andy Reid and Doug Pederson, but there was also a stint in which he played outside linebacker during the Chip Kelly era when the Birds deployed a 3-4 look of their own. If added, Landy won’t have any adjustments in adjusting.
He’s skilled as a pass rusher. He’s gifted in coverage. That is if Philly tries utilizing him at outside linebacker.
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No one other than Shook has named Landry as a possible fit for the Birds, but the theory makes sense. As a matter of fact, we’ll co-sign. The question is whether or not the Eagles agree and if they’re interested. Stay tuned. There figure to be a couple of surprises as the Birds move through the offseason. Only time will tell if this is one of them.