Let’s Talk LBs

Linebacker was a glaring weakness for the Eagles last year. Despite that, the team wasn’t going to make that position a focal point this offseason. The Eagles prefer to focus resources at other positions. Still, they have upgraded the position and have more work to do.

The projected starters are Devin White and Nakobe Dean. White came over from Tampa as a free agent. He started 75 of 83 games in his time with the Bucs. White made one Pro Bowl, was a key player on multiple Top 10 defenses and was the leading tackler in Tampa’s Super Bowl win over the Chiefs. He’s got a strong track record. But why would the Bucs let him leave?

This is where things get more complicated. White was inactive in December. He was able to practice, but didn’t play in the game. White said his injury was still an issue. There were reports that he wasn’t happy with having backup KJ Britt taking away some of his snaps. Was he really hurt? Had he fallen out of favor with coach Todd Bowles and didn’t handle that well?

I watched multiple games to get a better feel for White. I saw a guy who runs well. He was a solid tackler. Good blitzer. He covered a lot of ground when he was in coverage. White is aggressive and can be burned by play-fakes and misdirection. White sure looked like an upgrade on last year’s LBs to me. He has playmaking skills. Even with his flaws, that is important.

https://twitter.com/FanDuelTV/status/1768422144655171692

I am curious to see how the coaches use him and Dean. I tend to think White will be the MLB. Dean had that role last year and didn’t exactly shine. He might be better suited to playing WLB.

The Eagles made a depth signing at LB.

The Eagles are signing LB Oren Burks to a one-year deal, per league source. (As @DMRussini reported first.)

Burks, 28, played the last two seasons in SF after spending his first four seasons in GB.

He started 8 games for SF during the past two seasons and played a career-high…

— Zach Berman (@ZBerm) March 16, 2024

Burks gives the Eagles a LB who will play well on STs, but can also step in and start when needed. He’s got 15 career starts. Burks has a good combination of size and speed (he ran 4.59 at 233 pounds at the Combine in 2018). Put on the game tape and you see that speed. Burks tackled well and was a physical player. He also picked off Dak Prescott, which no Eagles defender did last year.

The other backup LB right now is Ben VanSumeren. He joined the Eagles as a UDFA last spring and earned a roster spot. VanSumeren played in nine games last year, mainly on STs. He is a gifted athlete who is still learning to play LB.

The only other off-ball LB on the roster for now is Brandon Smith. He is an athletic STer who played in two games last year.

The Eagles will address the position in the draft. I don’t see any LBs worth pick 22, but they could spend a 2nd or 3rd round pick on a LB to give them someone to build around in the future. Recent LB picks have not done so well so it is critical that Howie and the scouts get it right this year.

Depending on how the draft goes, the Eagles could add another veteran. There aren’t great options at this point. You can argue that Zach Cunningham is the top free agent LB so this is a position that is pretty limited.

I feel better about the LB position after watching White and Burks play. Both guys can run and tackle. I like the fact Howie is thinking about starters and depth. Last spring the backup LBs were Shaun Bradley and Christian Elliss. They had 52 career tackles and one start between them. Adding a player like Burks as a key backup is important. He had 46 tackles last year and has started 11 games over the past three years.

There is still work to be done, but it feels like things are at least headed in the right direction.

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The Eagles signed Zack Baun last week. He has played ILB and OLB. I’m guessing the Eagles use him at OLB. I watched a few games of him over the weekend and he looked good as an OLB.

Baun had 2 sacks last year and showed potential as a pass rusher. He has good burst off the ball. He’s got a very good spin move. Baun is a high-effort guy who is relentless in chasing the QB. I think he could be a good backup OLB. I was also impressed with how he set the edge on run plays. That was an issue for the defense last year. Too often guys freelanced and let RBs get out wide. Baun is disciplined.

If there are injuries, Baun can play inside. He will give the Eagles some roster flexibility. Vic Fangio can use him creatively if he wants.

Baun is also a key STer and will help the Eagles in that regard.

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