A Look into the Future: Eagles Linebackers

Right now the Eagles are flying high with a 10-2 record. That is in most part due to the work of Joe Douglas and Howie Roseman. The amount of depth on this roster is among the best in the league, if not the best.

Eagles need help at linebacker

One position group Roseman and Douglas can look at though is the linebackers group. It is the without a doubt one of the Eagles weakest group as it lacks the depth necessary. Mychal Kendricks, Jordan Hicks, and Nigel Bradham are all great players but the players below them are nothing special. Najee Goode, Nathan Gerry, Kamu Grugier-Hill, and Joe Walker are decent special teams players but that is about it. Joe Walker hasn’t done anything catastrophic since he stepped in for the injured Hicks, but he could definitely be improved upon. Eagles also have Danelle Ellerbe but he is old and is most likely not going to be back next year.

Eagles need to consider drafting a linebacker in this year’s upcoming draft. Even if it has to be an early rounder.

Why they need help at linebacker

As mentioned before, the Eagles do have three really good linebackers. There are a few problems though with them. Inconsistency, health, and contract situation.

Linebacker Mychal Kendricks

Mychal Kendrick’s Eagles career was in serious doubt to start the year as a lot of people wanted him traded. The Eagles, obviously, ended up not trading him and it has seemed to work out. Kendricks is having a nice year in his eight starts. He has 35 tackles, two sacks, and he has played great in pass coverage. The ex-second round pick is signed through 2019, which is good. He just needs to show he can be consistent.

Linebacker Jordan Hicks

Jordan Hicks has played great for the Eagles when he’s been on the field. The key word there is “when he’s been on the field”. The problem for Hicks coming into the NFL was injuries. That problem has seemed to not go away. In Hicks’ three seasons, he had to miss 15 games.

Linebacker Nigel Bradham

Nigel Bradham was brought over in 2015 at the start of the Jim Schwartz regime. Schwartz brought him over because he coached Bradham’s best season for Buffalo in 2015. Bradham has been a solid player for Philly in his two years here. The Florida State product’s future in Philly is unknown right now as his contract is up at the end of the season. He is getting up there in age as he will be 29 next year and he also has some character issues.

Prospects to look at

A couple day-one options the Eagles can look at is Texas linebacker Malik Jefferson and Georgia linebacker Raquan Smith. Both of these players the top-tier linebackers for this year’s group of linebackers.

A day two pick the Eagles should consider is linebacker Tegray Scales from Indiana. He is known to many as one of the most underrated defensive players in the draft and can be a steal.