After just two weeks with his new team, the Philadelphia Eagles could be working on a Devin White trade. Selected in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft, the LSU product entered the league as one of the game’s most ferocious blitzers and tacklers. White earned Second-Team All-Pro honors in 2020, made a Pro Bowl in 2021, and appeared to be on the rise. However, he started losing work in 2023 and had to sign a one-year, prove-it deal with the Eagles in free agency.
So far, White has been unable to prove it. The LSU product lost his starting job to former third-round pick Nakobe Dean, and it’s safe to say the linebacker isn’t thrilled about this development. While he said all the right things in his interview, nobody should be surprised if Devin White asks for a trade. While he might not be the player he once was, teams like the New Orleans Saints and Baltimore Ravens could use a guy like him on the roster.
Devin White talks about the Eagles decision to move forward with Nakobe Dean as the starter: pic.twitter.com/BfnDNQ4kuT
— Eliot Shorr-Parks (@EliotShorrParks) September 12, 2024
Saints, Ravens Could Trade For Devin White
Through two weeks of action, the New Orleans Saints are the best team in football by a comfortable margin. Nobody saw this coming, and while it could be a fluke, New Orleans should take advantage of this early-season momentum. While Derek Carr, Alvin Kamara, Klint Kubiak, and the entire offense have been the main story, Week 2 wouldn’t have been such a one-sided affair without their dominant defense. The current unit can slow down top passing attacks, but adding Devin White via trade could make this the best unit in football.
Devin White is not a versatile player. The former first-round pick is not good in coverage and misses too many tackles in space. However, if you ask him to charge after the quarterback and blow up running backs running up the middle, he’s dangerous. With Demario Davis, Pete Warner, and free-agent signee Willie Gay on the roster, New Orleans has the depth to trade for Devin White and reduce his responsibilities. This should allow him to thrive in a role tailored to his abilities, which should only improve a roster that currently cannot be stopped.
More Defensive Reinforcements
The Baltimore Ravens are one of the most surprising 0-2 teams out there. Widely considered a Super Bowl contender, the team narrowly lost their first two contests and must do some work to get back in the playoff picture. The Ravens lost several key players in free agency, including current Steeler Patrick Queen. Roquan Smith is the better player and the face of Baltimore’s defense, but this team could trade for Devin White and slide him right into the LB2 role.
As mentioned above, White is too limited to be anyone’s top linebacker. However, the Ravens have the talent to allow the LSU product to play a specialized role in this defense. The AFC North is one of the most physical divisions in football, so Baltimore should benefit from a Devin White trade. This team could use another pass-rushing force like White, and they must act now if they want to dig themselves out of their current 0-2 hole.
Main Photo: Kim Klement Neitzel – USA Today Sports
