The Philadelphia Eagles had a looming decision to make on Nigel Bradham and according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com, Bradham will enter free agency after not having his team option picked up.
With the Eagles set for changes on both sides of the ball, here are 8 linebackers via the draft or free agency that the Eagles could target or pursue.
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1. Isaiah Simmons — Clemson
Howie Roseman could decide to look around on the draft day, breathe in all the success that Minkah Fitzpatrick and Tyrann Mathieu have had and finally decides to trade up for a gamechanger on defense who can disrupt an offense’s flow from any position.
The Eagles don’t normally put a ton of value into the linebacker position, but Simmons isn’t your typical linebacker. A versatile hybrid, Simmons can play linebacker or safety, Philadelphia to be one of the most versatile teams in the league.
In this new era of spread offenses and mobile quarterbacks, having a guy like Simmons who can go from elite pass rusher to locking down the middle on a pass play makes him extremely valuable for any style of defense.
Simmons has lined up at linebacker, cornerback and edge rusher, thus still allowing T.J. Edwards and Nate Gerry to get snaps.
It would take the Eagles trading far up in the draft, but it’s a move Roseman should consider.
2. Cory Littleton — LA Rams
Littleton is a terrific athlete who is excellent against the pass, and similar to former Eagles linebacker and current Cardinals star Jordan Hicks. Last season, Littleton finished 6th among NFL linebackers in overall grade in 2019 and has had 2 straight seasons with an 80+ coverage grade.
3. Akeem Davis-Gaither — LB — Appalachian State
Davis-Gaither is an active linebacker who excels at rapidly filling running lanes and tipping passes in coverage.
Built-in the mode of Nigel Bradham, Davis-Gaither has great speed, can tackle in the open field and can cover tight ends and wideouts.
4. Malik Harrison
Harrison doesn’t have the name recognition of Chase Young or Jeff Okudah, but he could emerge as one of the draft’s best storylines. An unheralded prospect, Harrison developed into the Buckeyes’ leading tackler and a second-day draft pick
5. Blake Martinez — Green Bay Packers
Martinez stays healthy and is a tackling machine, ranking amongst the top-3 in the NFL the past three years. If the Packers decide to part ways with Martinez, he could be an option for the Eagles.
6. Patrick Queen — LSU
Queen’s strength compliments the new age NFL. He has the speed and ability to cover sideline to sideline and that’s needed in this new day of the spread offenses. Queen has a similar frame to Nigel Bradham and can be susceptible to lapses against the run.
7. Reggie Ragland — Kansas City Chiefs
The former Crimson Tide star is finally starting to hit his stride after racking up 10 quarterback pressures, 29 tackles and four tackles for a loss. Ragland could be ready for a permanent role in another franchise.
8. Kenneth Murray — Oklahoma
A thumper who can excel in coverage, Murray is a few missed tackles away from being a top-15 player. Murray can improve as a pass rusher, but his ability to control gaps could translate well to the NFL.
