With the start of the NFL Regular Season just about two weeks away, teams will begin finalizing their rosters and depth charts. Each team will carefully consider its weaknesses and strengths and tailor game plans, schemes, and rosters to their liking. The Philadelphia Eagles come into this season with mostly strengths across their stacked roster. However, there are a few position groups with some questions going into week one. The Eagles linebackers are a position that has been questioned, due to the lack of proven talent. More speculation occurred when the Eagles decided to bring in free agents, Zach Cunningham, and Myles Jack. As of today, Myles Jack has retired, and there are rumors that another free agent signing, Nicholas Morrow, could be cut. However, over the course of the preseason so far, fans shouldn’t be too concerned about the Eagles linebackers this season.
Should There Be Concern Over the Eagles Linebackers?
The Eagles Linebackers Set to Play
Nakobe Dean, Christian Elliss, and Zach Cunningham are seemingly the three linebackers in line for the majority of playing time. Nakobe Dean was a third-round pick back in the 2022 NFL Draft by the Eagles. He was a polarizing prospect, loved by some scouts for his instincts and play recognition, but others worried about his overall athleticism and smaller stature. Dean did not play much last year, but he will likely see nearly all the snaps on the Eagles defense this year. The criticisms of Dean’s overall size and athleticism are valid, but he can make up for it with plays like he had against the Browns in the second preseason game. Dean forced a fumble after darting through the offensive line and meeting the running back a step or two after he was handed the ball inside the Eagles 10-yard line.
Nakobe Dean forced fumble!
Big season incoming. pic.twitter.com/f8UhaUNPgF
— Word On The Birds (@WordOnTheBirds) August 17, 2023
Dean will make mistakes and sometimes he will be overpowered or outran throughout the season. However, his instincts will also lead him to the ball and put him in a position to make plays, and according to Nick Sirianni, that is what they expect from him. Where Dean lacks size, NFL veteran Zach Cunningham makes up for it. Cunningham stands at 6’3” and 238 pounds and has very long arms. He is a veteran who knows the ins and outs of offenses and has the size to fight through traffic along the trenches, as well as the length to be an obstacle for the passing game. Cunningham and Dean make up well for each other’s weaknesses and could be the Eagles linebackers that fans see the most. However, Christian Elliss may be the wild card in this position group that many fans and supporters are intrigued to see.
What to Expect from Christian Ellis?
Elliss has had a lot to overcome throughout his career to be in this position now. He played football at a small school at Idaho University. Then, Elliss went undrafted in 2021, signing with the Minnesota Vikings. He would then be waived by the Vikings and was added to the Eagles practice squad originally. Elliss bounced up and down from the Eagles practice squad to being a key member of the special teams unit in 2022. Now, he has the chance to become a starting linebacker for a team with Super Bowl aspirations. There’s merit to Elliss potentially starting for the Eagles, especially when watching his play during the preseason. Elliss is a thumper who plays aggressively downhill attacking the offensive line and the running backs. He is a force around the line of scrimmage who has real explosiveness, speed, and agility.
.@Eagles ILBer Christian Ellis with B2B “textbook” plays. The saying never gets old….” Step up and clean it up…back up and give it up.” #FlyEaglesFly #BaldysBreakdowns pic.twitter.com/xdKC4pLasH
— Brian Baldinger (@BaldyNFL) August 18, 2023
How the Defensive Line Will Boost the Eagles Linebackers
Whenever anyone brings up the Philadelphia Eagles, the first thing that comes to people’s minds is their defensive line. Not only the starters, but the Eagles depth on their defensive line is hard to argue against being one of the top two in the league if not number one. Not only are they a force themselves, but their play will drastically make the games easier for Dean, Cunningham, and Elliss.
Dean’s problem of his smaller stature will be a lot less problematic if the offensive line can’t get to him because they’re busy dealing with Jordan Davis. Cunningham’s potential lack of speed and explosiveness could be mitigated if the offense is slowing down due to Jalen Carter wreaking havoc in the backfield. Elliss’ aggressiveness could get him in trouble at times, but it could also lead him to make plays in the backfield if the quarterback must scramble away from Haason Reddick, Josh Sweat, or everyone else on the Eagles defensive front.
The Eagles biggest strength is something that aids their potential biggest weakness. While the Eagles linebackers may not turn into superstars or be among the best at their position this season, their play should be good enough to avoid being exploited by the better offenses in the league. Expect to see mistakes from all the Eagles linebackers, or even some lackluster moments at times. But the defensive line along with the Eagles linebackers will mold together well to better showcase all their unique talents. Fans should be confident that the Eagles linebackers will be able to contribute to another Super Bowl run in 2023.
Main Photo: Maria Lysaker-USA TODAY Sports
