Dissecting every Eagles unrestricted free agent: Might anyone return?
By Hunter Doyle
player. 54. . LB. Philadelphia Eagles. Alex Singleton. 49
One of the Eagles linebackers from 2021 is off of the market. How do they value the other?
Alex Singleton showed flashes in 2020 but had his struggles in 2021. It’s odd to say that about a guy who was the team’s leading tackler but many of his tackles came because he was picked apart in coverage.
He surrendered 73 catches (fourth-most) for 684 yards (fourth-most) per PFF. In addition, Singleton also missed 20 tackles on the season.
Special teams ability and scheme familiarity could earn him a spot in 2021 but he should only be back as depth for the linebacker room. Singleton brings energy and is great for locker room culture but should primarily be a special teamer. The Eagles did not tender him, and there were theories about whether or not he’d be back. It would have been nice to keep him on a cheap deal but just as a depth piece, but according to NFL Network’s Jame Palmer, he’s signed with the Broncos.
54. . SAM. Philadelphia Eagles. Genard Avery. 58. player
Now that the Eagles found a true SAM linebacker in Haason Reddick, it seems less likely that Genard Avery will be back. Ever since the Eagles traded a fourth-round pick for Avery in 2019, things have never really worked out.
Avery played in the box here and there but only for 15 snaps so he doesn’t necessarily provide value in the middle. His best ability is as a pass rusher or in blitz packages and even in that role, he isn’t the most effective.
Maybe the Eagles can re-sign him as a depth piece but that’s the only possibility. This should be a relatively easy decision.