The Eagles overshadowed Julian Okwara addition could prove to be an underrated but excellent signing
Julian Okwara's acquisition went mostly unnoticed, for obvious reasons, but it feels like there's something here. Well, we hope it is at least.
It's those little things that matter. How many times has your spouse or significant other told you that? Someone must have gotten in Howie Roseman's ear at some point during his life to tell him the same thing. We think back to that 2017 Philadelphia Eagles team, the first (and only) squad in franchise history to raise the Vince Lombardi Trophy.
Sure, Carson Wentz, as much as we pick on him, was a necessary component in setting the table for Nick Foles to serve the main course, but where would we be without Patrick Robinson's pick-six in the NFC Championship Game or Howie's decision to gamble on an aging LeGarrette Blount before trading for Jay Ajayi near the deadline... Little things.
If you've been keeping score, you have no doubt taken some time to mull over Philly's acquisitions of Bryce Huff, Saquon Barkley, and Devin White. We're pretty positive that Philly's reunion with C.J. Gardner-Johnson landed on your radar as well.
As a result, the additions of guys like DeVante Parker, Zack Baun, and Matt Hennessy may have failed to register the same magnitude on the Richter scale. Here's another name for your consumption, Julian Okwara. We may have some fun discussing him.
Julian Okwara's acquisition might turn out to be one of Howie Roseman's most underrated but ingenious decisions.
Julian Okwara looks like he could play shooting guard for quite a few NBA teams. Standing at six-foot-four and tipping the scales at 239 pounds, this London-born Eagle cut his teeth at Notre Dame while playing at the collegiate level.
He was drafted 67th overall during Round 3 of the 2020 NFL Draft. Something must be mentioned though. After stacking 79 tackles, 15.5 sacks, two interceptions, and four forced fumbles while appearing in 35 games at the collegiate level, the Detroit Lions saw fit to only use him sparingly during his first four seasons in the Motor City.
Since his rookie season in 2020, Okwara has battled to prove he belongs while also battling injuries. He has appeared in 38 games with four starts. He has collected 54 tackles, nine sacks, 16 additional quarterback hits, an interception, a forced fumble, and three pass breakups, but he has yet to play a full season.
So, why are we so convinced that this could be a jackpot signing for Philly? Well, it's quite simple actually. There's the Vic Fangio effect. There's also a new inside linebackers coach, Bobby King.
Julian also won't be required to assume the full responsibility of elevating the second level of the Eagles' defense. The pressure will be on Devin White and Nakobe Dean to do that. So, if we're being honest, we're banking on a hunch, but we've seen flashes here, both professionally and collegiately.
Special teams... Reserve duty... That's where Okwara will make his mark. Predictions... How about 25 tackles (a little more than one per contest), two sacks, and a few pressures while playing 25% of the snaps? If we get that, we'll take it. Heck, that sounds like a reasonable request to us.
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