More on Devin White

Posted: March 20th, 2024 | Author: Tommy Lawlor

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.

https://twitter.com/DiBonaPFN/status/1768623541585404070

https://twitter.com/mccrystal_alex/status/1768426905600983344

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.

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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.

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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.

http://igglesblitz.com/2024/03/more-on-devin-white/

White is only here on a one year deal so he has plenty of incentive to go out there and fight and play to the highest level he can. I think it’s a good move to add speed at LB and a guy who has been a real play maker in the NFL.

White is definitely a player worth taking a shot on.  It's also right up Roseman's alley.  Howie strayed from philosophy by signing Barkley...maybe he'll stray again and draft a LB with one of their first 3 picks.

6 hours ago, EaglesAddict said:

White is definitely a player worth taking a shot on.  It's also right up Roseman's alley.  Howie strayed from philosophy by signing Barkley...maybe he'll stray again and draft a LB with one of their first 3 picks.

If I were a betting man I'd put a sizeable chunk on that happening.  

16 hours ago, time2rock said:

If I were a betting man I'd put a sizeable chunk on that happening.  

I'd hope so!  But...the thing that gives me pause is Howie's penchant for trading up in Round 1.  If he does that this year, there's a good chance it'll involve one of our 2nd rounders....which would significantly decrease the chances of using the lone 2nd round pick on a LB.  But, who knows.

Just now, EaglesAddict said:

I'd hope so!  But...the thing that gives me pause is Howie's penchant for trading up in Round 1.  If he does that this year, there's a good chance it'll involve one of our 2nd rounders....which would significantly decrease the chances of using the lone 2nd round pick on a LB.  But, who knows.

I really hope this year we stay put and take best player at 22 (emphasis on best player and not reaching for a perceived need like we did with Reagor) ... I'd rather make 3 picks in the first 2 rounds.  Although I also have been having this gut feeling he is going to try to trade down from one of our 2nd rd picks in order to add a pick in rd 3 since we no longer have one (Pickett trade).  I'm hoping that doesn't happen as well.  

1 hour ago, time2rock said:

I really hope this year we stay put and take best player at 22 (emphasis on best player and not reaching for a perceived need like we did with Reagor) ... I'd rather make 3 picks in the first 2 rounds.  Although I also have been having this gut feeling he is going to try to trade down from one of our 2nd rd picks in order to add a pick in rd 3 since we no longer have one (Pickett trade).  I'm hoping that doesn't happen as well.  

I'm with ya.  Though I remember Howie stating some years ago about preferring to pick in the top 15 vs. picking after that.  His history suggests he struggles more when picking players in the 2nd half of Round 1 vs in the first half.  He might not be able to help himself cuz that's what he does...moves around in the draft.  Question would be who's worth trading up for if he does do it?  

That said, like you, I hope he just stays put at 22.  There should be some good options still on the board.  Hell, I wouldn't oppose a trade down from 22 with the idea of taking E. Cooper with our first pick (I highly doubt Cooper will be there at 50).