Rumor: Eagles expected to have interest in OLB/edge rusher market

Heading into Week 3, the Eagles had the third-fewest sacks in the NFL.

Following the nine-sack decimation of Carson Wentz in Washington, the Eagles now sit only behind Dallas with 12 total sacks on the year. While statistical explosions are satisfying, they aren’t sustainable.

However, additional edge depth could help the defense become more consistent. The Eagles are down a rotational piece after losing Derek Barnett for the year; and while Patrick Johnson and Tarron Jackson have filled the void nicely, help may be on the way.

According to Eagles Insider Adam Caplan on the latest Inside The Birds podcast, Philadelphia is interested in bringing in another pass rusher:

“Our understanding is they’re definitely looking into the OLB/edge rusher market. Not talking making a trade but they may work some guys out; who knows. We’ll see if they’re in on anyone yet. They lost someone [Barnett] s,o they should be.”

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Current free-agent edge rushers (age)

• OLB Dee Ford (30)
• OLB Jamie Collins (32)
• DE Everson Griffen (34)
• DE Alex Okafor (31)
• DE Benson Mayowa (30)
• DE Genard Avery (lol)
• OLB Nate Gerry (LOL)

The most intriguing names here are Dee Ford and Everson Griffen. Ford is a former Pro Bowler with 40.0 career sacks to his name but has been hampered by injuries, appearing in just seven games since 2020.

Griffen is familiar with Jonathan Gannon from their time in Minnesota and recorded 5.0 sacks last season at 34 years old. If the 11-year veteran wants to chase a ring before calling it quits, Philly makes a lot of sense.

The Eagles have roughly $8.5M in cap space per Spotrac, something to monitor in the coming weeks.

.@EversonGriffen‘s spin move remains lethal

📺: @NFLonFOX pic.twitter.com/OFYscbsuAA

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) October 10, 2021

Mandatory Credit: AP Photo | Bruce Kluckhohn