Howie Roseman got the Eagles a running back in the draft and now Philadelphia’s top executive has plugged in a Pro Bowl-caliber linebacker for cheap with the addition of Zach Brown. Brown is a guy who can replace Jordan Hicks in the middle or slide outside, as well.
With his addition, the Eagles’ linebacker corps just got stronger and one of the recently signed undrafted free agents could be the odd man out. With that being said, here are four takeaways from Brown coming to Philly.
Brown is productive
Last season, Brown was rated by Pro Football Focus as the third-best off-ball linebacker in football and will provide solid run defense, while also making the Eagles’ pass defense that much tougher. He has 632 total tackles in seven seasons.
He is an upgrade over Jordan Hicks
Many Eagles fans were concerned that the loss of Hicks would be too huge to overcome. Brown can play all three linebacker positions, is physical, highly productive and will compete for playing time. Brown has started 74 of the 94 games he’s played in the NFL and has done it at a high level. He averaged 124 tackles over the last three seasons with 7.5 total sacks and one interception.
Nigel Bradham moves outside
Zach Brown has a motor and can go, so Jim Schwartz should allow him to wreak havoc inside at middle linebacker while moving the versatile Nigel Bradham outside. In 12 starts for the Redskins last season, Brown finished with 96 tackles, one pass deflection, and one sack.
The odd man out at linebacker
Who will be the odd man out of a linebacker corps that includes L.J. Fort, Kamu Grugier-Hill, Paul Worrilow, Nathan Gerry and rookies T.J. Edwards and Joey Alfieri? Bradham is a mainstay at the position and will start, but Eagles rarely use three linebackers, and sometimes only use one.
