Iggles Blitz

by Tommy Lawlor

More on Devin White

Posted March 20th, 2024 | 1 Comment »

It would be great if the Eagles had a sure thing at linebacker. The days of Seth Joyner, Byron Evans and William Thomas are a million miles away. Last year the Eagles gambled on cheap alternatives, but the players had limited upside. This year they are at least taking a chance on someone who has legit talent.

White is a skilled LB. He can fly around the field, in coverage or in pursuit. He has 3 career INTs, 6 FF and 9 FRs. That shows playmaking ability. Watch the INTs and you see a defender making clean catches with his hands. Some of the FF came when White punched the ball out in awkard situations. Those are skilled plays, not lucky hits. He has 23 career sacks. White is a good pass rusher. He has terrific closing speed. When he blitzes, there isn’t any hesitation. And he knows how to get by blockers.

The risk in this move is that White is coming off his worst season. White still made plays, but frustrated the coaches enough that he lost some playing time to KJ Britt. Tampa let him leave in free agency without making an effort to keep him.

The Eagles might get the White who was a good player. Or they might get the guy from last year. But I think White is the kind of player who is worth taking a chance on. If they get the good version, he would be a huge upgrade on last year.

Howie Roseman needs to keep building depth at LB so that there is some competition. Add a key player in the draft. We’ll still have to wait and see how things pan out, but this group certainly has the potential to be more talented than last year’s bunch.

*****

We aren’t sure who will be in the slot for the Eagles. Avonte Maddox was released and there isn’t a clear frontrunner. Isaiah Rodgers could end up inside, but could also play outside. We know Darius Slay will be outside. James Bradberry, if he’s back, will stay outside. Eli Ricks?

Hall could win the spot. At the least, he provides depth and competition. He’s spent most of his career in the slot. Hall has played in 31 career games and has 6 starts so he’s got some experience.

Mustipher is 6-4, 318. He could be depth at NT. The Eagles needed depth on the DL so this is a good signing. Mustipher played in four games last year.

Noah Elliss is still on the roster as depth at NT. We haven’t seen much from him. Marlon Tuipulotu can play NT snaps as well, but he might be needed at the 4i spot to offer depth with Fletcher Cox gone.

*****

Reddick wants more money. The Eagles don’t want to pay him more. They are willing to trade him, but need some team to make a good offer. You don’t just give away a good pass rusher like Reddick.

If no team makes a serious offer, you wonder if Reddick will see that he’s overestimated his value. That’s not easy for players or their agents. The Eagles are stringing the situation out, hoping for a good resolution.

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One Comment on “More on Devin White”

  1. 1 The Linc – PFF’s favorite Eagles free agency move - Balance Sportscast said at 2:10 PM on March 21st, 2024:

    […] More on Devin White – Iggles BlitzWhite is a skilled LB. He can fly around the field, in coverage or in pursuit. He has 3 career INTs, 6 FF and 9 FRs. That shows playmaking ability. Watch the INTs and you see a defender making clean catches with his hands. Some of the FF came when White punched the ball out in awkard situations. Those are skilled plays, not lucky hits. He has 23 career sacks. White is a good pass rusher. He has terrific closing speed. When he blitzes, there isn’t any hesitation. And he knows how to get by blockers. The risk in this move is that White is coming off his worst season. White still made plays, but frustrated the coaches enough that he lost some playing time to KJ Britt. Tampa let him leave in free agency without making an effort to keep him. The Eagles might get the White who was a good player. Or they might get the guy from last year. But I think White is the kind of player who is worth taking a chance on. If they get the good version, he would be a huge upgrade on last year. Howie Roseman needs to keep building depth at LB so that there is some competition. Add a key player in the draft. We’ll still have to wait and see how things pan out, but this group certainly has the potential to be more talented than last year’s bunch. […]