Final yr, each time anybody wrote an article itemizing gamers “most definitely to interrupt out,” the identify on the prime of the record was linebacker Nakobe Dean.
The explanations have been comprehensible. He was a third-round draft decide with tons of athleticism, seen as a steal of a decide at that time within the draft. He had principally watched from the sidelines in his rookie season and was being handed the beginning off-ball linebacker job earlier than coaching camp opened.
However his “leap” season final yr by no means materialized. He was typically uncovered in protection when he was wholesome, and was absent a lot of the season attributable to a Lisfranc harm that basically worn out his sophomore season.
Quick ahead to the obligatory minicamps this yr, the place Dean is seemingly behind on the depth chart in Vic Fangio’s protection behind free agent acquisition Zack Baun, who you can be studying extra about in a minute. Whereas it’s too quickly to surrender on Dean, I’ve misplaced confidence that he’s going to be an influence participant within the NFL, and there merely aren’t any indications, not less than proper now, that he’s able to make the sort of leap we thought we’d see at first of final season.
So, if not Dean, who’re the Eagles most definitely to make “the leap” in 2024? Listed here are 4 potentialities.
ZACK BAUN
Based mostly on what was made out there to the press at OTAs/minicamp, Zack Baun, the previous Saints edge rusher signed to a one-year free agent contract this low season, he’s forward of Dean on the depth chart at off-ball linebacker. And when he was on the sector, he regarded legit.
Baun performed principally edge rusher final season for New Orleans, however Fangio appears infatuated with the thought of the 27-year-old at that essential spot in his protection. He’s 6-3, 223 kilos, performed all 17 video games for the Saints final yr and recorded two sacks, 4 QB hits and notched his first profession interception final yr, too.
It is going to be an adjustment for Baun to play inside linebacker and be capable to maintain up towards the run, drop into protection and discover methods to get to the QB in visitors. However one would additionally count on Fangio to search out methods to get Baun on the sting for a move rep or two and get after the quarterback in the way in which he at all times has.
KELEE RINGO
Quinyon Mitchell is the obvious breakout candidate within the Eagles’ revamped secondary, however the place’s the enjoyable in choosing the slam-dunk first spherical alternative to easily do what many count on him to do? So I’m going with Ringo, the previous fourth spherical decide in final yr’s NFL Draft, Ringo carried out fairly nicely in entrance of reporters at minicamp final week.
Ringo was initially projected to be a second or third spherical decide, however fell to the Eagles at No. 105 within the ‘23 Draft. He performed a bit in his rookie season, particularly late, accumulating all however one of many 199 defensive snaps he noticed within the season’s closing 5 video games. In fact, that was the Eagles’ most disastrous stretch of the season, however as with every rookie, studying the way to cowl NFL receivers takes time, and it actually doesn’t sound just like the teaching employees did him, or the remainder of that protection, any favors final yr.
Up to now this spring, Ringo has been described as “very sticky” in protection. Previous to the draft, Ourlads stated he “has the instruments of a top-flight NFL nook.” With James Bradberry’s future doubtful and Mitchell not assured a beginning job in his rookie season, it may find yourself being Kelee Ringo who begins at CB2 reverse Darius Slay in Week 1.
TYLER STEEN
The ripple results of Jason Kelce’s retirement is being felt on two positions alongside the offensive line proper now, though it’s true Kelce’s retirement goes to have an effect on everybody on offense this yr. With Cam Jurgens shifting to middle to exchange Kelce, it seems former third-round decide Tyler Steen will take over Jurgens’ spot at proper guard.
The Eagles signed veteran free agent Matt Hennessey to a one-year deal to supply a veteran back-up plan, and the crew appears intent on getting free agent signee Mekhi Becton on top of things at completely different positions alongside the offensive line, however the splendid situation can be for Steen to take the proper guard job by the horns.
Steen has only one profession begin in his temporary NFL profession and was chosen within the third spherical of the 2023 draft. He performed a bit towards the Commanders and Cowboys final yr and acquitted himself OK, though Micah Parsons did hand him his lunch on a number of events. That stated, Steen is a bigger-than-normal guard but in addition an excellent athlete. One would assume offensive lineman whisperer Jeff Stoutland could make one thing out of him in 2024.
NOLAN SMITH
Jalen Carter is the 2023 first spherical decide folks speak essentially the most about, so it’s simple to neglect the Eagles truly had a second, first spherical decide final yr and took edge rusher Nolan Smith to assist generate some move rush.
Taken at No. 30 total final yr, Smith surprisingly barely performed, even on the finish of the season when it was clear nobody had any thought the way to cease the bleeding. Within the crew’s first 10 video games, essentially the most snaps Smith performed was 9. One may simply neglect he was even on the crew, and had he performed extra, maybe Josh Sweat may have gotten some extra relaxation and wouldn’t have deteriorated down the stretch. He averaged simply 11 snaps per recreation, a criminally-low quantity for a wholesome first spherical decide at a place the crew was struggling to get manufacturing from.
THANKS SEAN DESAI AND MATT PATRICIA.
Smith obtained essentially the most reps within the playoff loss to Tampa and truly put some numbers on the stat sheet, with half a sack and 4 tackles in 16 snaps, together with a QB hit. He was the second-highest graded Eagles edge rusher in that recreation, so it’s a bit maddening he wasn’t given extra of a possibility final season.
We all know the Eagles’ teaching employees was incompetent final yr, and that is simply one other indication of that. This yr, one can assume Fangio will likely be wanting to make use of the speed-rushing defensive finish the way in which he ought to be used.
