The Ultimate Eagles OTA Preview: Defense edition

After breaking down the offense in yesterday's ultimate OTA preview, we now shift our attention to the defensive side of the ball. Here's everything you need to know ahead of tomorrow's first OTA practice.

Defensive tackle

What a whirlwind this position is set to go through. On the eve of Draft weekend, the Eagles announced that they had re-signed Timmy Jernigan, adding a much-needed sense of depth to the position. However, Jernigan didn't appear too pleased with at least one aspect of the agreement, given his recent Instagram story in which he threatened to 'pull a Telvin Smith'.

Jernigan's role may well be marginalized and with Malik Jackson now in the fold on a much longer contract, that may not be subject to change. It will be interesting to see how the Eagles use the former Jaguar in comparison to Jernigan. As things stand, Cox, Jackson, and Jernigan would make up the first 3 defensive tackle roles...but it's that fourth that's up for grabs.

Treyvon Hester and Bruce Hector will clash head-to-head in a battle for DT4, with Hestor really turning some heads last year with some flashy plays on both defense and special teams. This is set to be a season-long battle that will kick off this week.

The wildcard to watch here though will be UDFA Anthony Rush out of UAB. An absolute behemoth, this space-eating defensive tackle could be the perfect piece to eat up double teams while the defensive ends feast. Rush ended 2018 with 43 tackles, 11 TFL and a pair of sacks. Another small-school sleeper, Rush has a ridiculously intimidating frame at 6’5, 350 lbs and is one of my big UDFA names to watch.

Defensive end

The question on everyone's lips right now is 'how will the Eagles replace Chris Long?' I dove into this in greater detail in an article linked below, but what it really comes down to is the talent within the organization and an ability to prove themselves this offseason.

Whether it's fourth-round selection from one year ago, Josh Sweat, one perhaps one from this year in Shareef Miller, the Eagles are going to rightfully start expecting results from their investments.

There's naturally a lot of intrigue surrounding Miller, but the Penn State alum is still a little raw in his skillset and will take some coaching at the NFL level to develop some pass-rushing moves to add to his arsenal. It just so happens that OTA's take place this week, giving us a firm indicator of his progress and how Phillip Daniels opts to work with him.

Competing alongside the duo will be Joe Ostman. The former Central Michigan pass-rusher had a great preseason for the Eagles last year after going undrafted, rallying to amass 9 tackles. At 6’3, 259 lbs, Ostman tallied 45.5 tackles for loss and 26 sacks during his collegiate career and his development on the practice squad has left the coaching staff purring. It’s going to take a big step up if Ostman makes the roster as the third defensive end on either side of the trench.

The defensive end battle will be a hard-fought contest that will likely come down to training camp and preseason. All players are in a position to play a factor in the upcoming season, but it's the size of that role that will be dependent on these next few months.

Linebacker

The signing of Zach Brown may well go down as one of the most underrated moves of the offseason. An ILB in Washington's 3-4 scheme, the transition to a 4-3 should give Brown more room to roam, which is exactly what he's best at when he's not shooting gaps and swallowing up running backs for breakfast.

Given that the Eagles are running 'NICKEL and DIME' looks far more frequently, the Birds' should have more than enough depth to enter the upcoming season. Special teams ace L.J Fort could carve out a bigger role, while the returning Paul Worrilow adds a sense of stability at the 'MIKE' spot.

Kamu Grugier-Hill and Nate Gerry will be in the thick of it once more, with both climbing the ladder successfully during their time in Philadelphia. KGH has led the Eagles in special teams tackles for two years in a row while Gerry almost seems primed to grow into the mold of Malcolm Jenkins, under-the-radar.

The wildcard that many eyes will be honed in on this offseason though, is T.J Edwards. It’s surprising that Edwards wasn’t drafted, especially given his level of production. With 112 tackles as a senior, he finished his career with four-years of 80+ stops. In his last two years, he combined for 22.5 tackles for loss, 5 sacks, 7 picks and 16 pass breakups? Edwards has a real shot at making the final 53-man roster. But he's not the only UDFA worth keeping an eye on.

At 6’3, 239 lbs, Alfieri joins T.J Edwards as one of the prize pickings in this year’s crop. With 165 tackles, 26.5 TFL, 14 sacks and 2 picks in 50 games, Alfieri solidified himself as a reliable starter during his time with the Cardinal, who amassed 37 tackles and 3.5 sacks in his final year.

OTA's will be our first real chance to catch a glimpse of a linebacker position that has undergone quite the transformation since losing Jordan Hicks. But is it in good hands?

Cornerback

Ronald Darby returns, but he's on a one-year deal, while Jalen Mills enters his contract year. To add to that, Sidney Jones is coming back from another injury stricken season, meaning the Eagles will be looking for insurance at all starting positions and there are plenty of candidates who not only want to compete for rotational/depth roles, but want to stake their claims to the eventual starting ones.

Whether it's a recently bulked out Rasul Douglas, who led the Eagles in interceptions last season, or Captain Cre'Von LeBlanc, there's an abundance of talent at corner that will be looking to pluck balls from the sky in OTA's and hit the ground running.

Sidney Jones, especially, has to start out hot. LeBlanc and Maddox proved themselves worthy of a starting role last year, with Maddox slaying the outside and performing explosively over the top, while LeBlanc's first-play interception against the Saints will still send Eagles fans into a roar of appreciation. Jones cannot afford to let more time and leverage slip away. The former second-round pick simply has to prove he can get on the field, win the day, every day in OTA's and shed the injury label. If he doesn't, the sharks are waiting.

Adding to an already competitive DB room, is small-school sleeper, Jamalcolm Liggins. During his career, Liggins competed in 43 games, tallying 151 tackles and three touchdowns. In the first round of the NAIA championship series in 2018 alone, Liggins had four interceptions for 91 yards. He has 13 career picks to his name. That kind of production simply raises eyebrows. And when you partner that with a 6’3, 210 lbs, defensive back, that turned into salivation for a lot of scouts. The Eagles could have a real hidden gem on their hands if Liggins' athletic traits transpose to the NFL level.

It's easy to view OTA's as a small sample size, but let's not forget, it was OTA's in 2017 that remolded the backfield to fit in Corey Clement's bruising skillset. It was OTA's in 2017 that saw Patrick Robinson really struggle outside, spurring the August trade for Ronald Darby that pushed him into the nickel and into his prime. This is absolutely clinical for all of the Eagles cornerbacks. There may be no bigger competition on the roster right now and it all starts this week.

Safety

Andrew Sendejo's arrival replaced what the Eagles lost in Corey Graham and for the most part, it's situation normal. Malcolm Jenkins and Rodney McLeod will be your starting duo to begin with, while Sendejo and....ah, now it gets fun.

Jenkins plays down in the box, meaning McLeod is either on his own or will be joined by a third Safety. Enter Sendejo, who will be clashing with former Eagles draftee and Rams special teams ace, Blake Countess, who was signed just a couple of weeks ago.

Another name to watch here though is Tre Sullivan, who has somehow clung onto his place on the Eagles roster for quite some time now and started to have more of a defensive impact as time has progressed.

There isn't a wealth of depth here, but the fighting over that third Safety spot will be vicious. Sendejo hits hard, Countess hits securely, and Sullivan has special teams value. It's all about development for him, while Countess will be trying to beat out a veteran who is by no mean's safe on this roster.