Eagles should make 3 defensive changes now that Jonathan Gannon is returning

[time2rock]

Eagles should make 3 defensive changes now that Jonathan Gannon is returning

Updated: Feb. 08, 2022, 7:50 a.m. | Published: Feb. 08, 2022, 7:30 a.m.

 

By Chris Franklin | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

 

Now that Eagles defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon appears to be returning to Philadelphia after failing to get the job as the Houston Texans head coach — which went to former Chicago Bears and Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Lovie Smith — the Eagles can move forward with their offseason plans for the defense.

 

Here are three moves the Eagles can make:

 

Draft a three-down linebacker who can play in a hybrid defense

 

During his first season as defensive coordinator, Gannon used 4-3 and 3-4 alignments with sub packages that put linebackers T.J. Edwards and Alex Singleton on the field during different situations.

 

If Gannon is going to stick with the dual scheme, the Eagles need a linebacker who can be a pass rusher, a threat in blitz packages and effective in coverage. Opponents used tight ends and slot receivers to attack the middle of the field, especially in a Tampa 2 look when the middle linebacker must drop deep into coverage.

 

Utah linebacker Devin Lloyd can play weakside linebacker and be an asset in coverage. He has the speed and pass-rushing ability to pressure opposing quarterbacks.

 

Georgia’s Nakobe Dean also would be a good fit, but he may not be available when the Eagles pick at Nos. 15, 16 and 19, and the team has not drafted a linebacker in the first round since 1979.

 

Sign an impact safety in free agency

 

According to Pro Football Focus, Saints’ Marcus Williams was the sixth-rated safety in pass coverage last season, allowing an opposing quarterback rating of 72.9. Williams will get a lot of attention as one of the top safeties on the free-agent market and, with the Eagles having just $21.5 million in salary cap space, according to Over The Cap, he could be too expensive.

 

Another option would be to re-sign Anthony Harris, who played on a one-year deal last season and had a solid season, with 72 tackles, two tackles for loss, and an interception. The Eagles often used Harris as a center fielder a lot in a Cover-2 defense.

 

Grab DEs for a better pass rush

 

The Eagles’ sack numbers dropped dramatically when former defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz left and Gannon took over: Last season, the Eagles finished next to last in sacks with 29.

 

The Eagles had hoped that Derek Barnett would be disruptive off the edge, but Barnett was inconsistent and committed several costly penalties. The Eagles brought in veteran Ryan Kerrigan to act in a Chris Long-type role, playing as a pass-rushing specialist while mentoring younger defensive linemen, but Kerrigan struggled, making just three tackles.

 

As the Eagles revamp, Florida State pass rusher Jermaine Johnson, who can play edge rusher and drop back into coverage, is an option. Tampa Bay defensive end William Gholston, a free agent who plays DE and DT, could be an affordable.

 

Rasheem Green, an unrestricted free agent who played his first four seasons with the Seattle Seahawks, has gotten progressively better, and had 6.5 sacks this past season. Green could be a replacement for Barnett at right defensive end.

 

https://www.nj.com/eagles/2022/02/eagles-should-make-these-3-changes-now-that-jonathan-gannon-is-returning.html

[eggs]

Agree with all. We’ll likely need to address WR and maybe one of these defensive positions in FA the other two in the draft. 

[birdman#12]

Can't go overboard in free agency.....

In the draft, Add the best talent at the pick that they're at......Whether it's a LB, DE, S, or corner.......the whole defense needs a talent infusion.

[time2rock]

20 hours ago, birdman#12 said:

Can't go overboard in free agency.....

In the draft, Add the best talent at the pick that they're at......Whether it's a LB, DE, S, or corner.......the whole defense needs a talent infusion.

There are really just 2 positions I want to see them add in free agency with someone who is more than an aging vet on his last leg signed to a 1 year deal ... S and WR.  Williams or Edmunds would be a solid signing at S to pair with Epps or Wallace for a year and hopefully they draft one on day 2.  At WR I think Chark or JuJu probably make the most sense (but JuJu turned down an offer here last year to take less money to stay in Pittsburgh so not sure if he wants to come here).  

[birdman#12]

30 minutes ago, time2rock said:

There are really just 2 positions I want to see them add in free agency with someone who is more than an aging vet on his last leg signed to a 1 year deal ... S and WR.  Williams or Edmunds would be a solid signing at S to pair with Epps or Wallace for a year and hopefully they draft one on day 2.  At WR I think Chark or JuJu probably make the most sense (but JuJu turned down an offer here last year to take less money to stay in Pittsburgh so not sure if he wants to come here).  

At safety, I would rather sign a 1 year vet and draft one than pay out big time for Williams....Edmunds maybe depending on the cost.

I like the idea of signing Chark, but not JuJu....just not impressed with the guy.

[time2rock]

1 minute ago, birdman#12 said:

At safety, I would rather sign a 1 year vet and draft one than pay out big time for Williams....Edmunds maybe depending on the cost.

I was thinking of how well it worked out for us when we signed McLeod back in 2016.  

[birdman#12]

1 minute ago, time2rock said:

I was thinking of how well it worked out for us when we signed McLeod back in 2016.  

He certainly would be a big piece to the puzzle.....