- By Josh Clark
- jclark@profootballtechs.com
Let’s just get to the speedy Outside Linebacker right away here.
Haasan Reddick is the Philadelphia Eagles’ top free agency prize and one of our favorite signings.
Reddick has posted 23.5 sacks over the last two years in less than half the number of dialed up blitzes.
Critics point to his lack of pressures (32), which ranked 24th in league in 2021, but we see a guy who is prime for a breakout 2022. Let’s not forget this is a guy who ran a 4.52 in his 40-yard dash as a prospect in 2017.
The signing feels like last year’s move by the Pats to grab underrated pass rusher Matthew Judon – and we all know how that worked out.
Upfront, the Eagles also opted to pay Fletcher Cox $14 million to return another year. Cox is still stout at the point of attack and added another 3.5 sacks in 2021 but there’s no question he lost a step. But if you need an example of how a “step slower” Fletcher Cox still wreaks havoc, the guy put up 8 QB knockdowns – his most in four years. Even if a few years earlier, they would’ve been sacks (Just 3.5 in 2021).
Kyzir White, at LB was a tackling machine, finishing with 144 in 2021. But the team friendly-contract was a value for good reason. White was awful the year prior (PFF grade of 51.5), so there’s an element of “Is he for real?.”
The Eagles will likely find out quickly.
The Eagles still need plenty of help in their secondary – and to date, they haven’t found a true starter to plug into those roster holes. Anthony Harris and Andre Chachere are good depth pieces.
Speaking of depth, Zach Pascal is more that type of guy, too, even if he’d probably project as a starter if the season started today.
Pacal’s season yardage and even his average YAC-per-reception (just 3.2 yards) were both down to their lowest points since his rookie year. You can only blame their already-former QB so much on these troubling signs.
At running back, Boston Scott has flashed potential with the Eagles, even if he’s buried among a talented stable, and deserved to return. He’s improved as a receiver (85% catch rate) even if his targets haven’t.
