Eagles linebackers – Syndication Server

Report: Delaware linebacker Johnny Buchanan to participate in Eagles’ local pro day

University of Delaware All-American linebacker Johnny Buchanan will work out for Philadelphia at the Eagles’ upcoming local pro day.

The Eagles love to hit on late-round or undrafted collegiate talent, and local linebacker Johnny Buchanan could be a player to watch in the coming weeks.

The Brick, New Jersey, was a tackling machine at FCS Delaware, and he’s expected to give an up-close look to Howie Roseman and company at the team’s annual local pro day, according to Ryan Fowler.

Fresh off a Pro Day where he ran mid 4.5s and jumped 40” in the vert, Delaware LB Johnny Buchanan will attend the Eagles, Giants, and Jets’ local day in the coming weeks.

3x All-CAA and led the FCS in tackles (150) in ‘22.

— Ryan Fowler (@_RyanFowler_) April 1, 2023

The 6-foot, 230-pound Buchanan was a three-times All-CAA selection that led the FCS in tackles (150) in 2022 while also logging 8.5 TFL, 1.5 sacks, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, and one pass breakup.

Buchanan had nine games with at least ten tackles, including five with at least 15, and would follow the Reed Blankenship path if he goes undrafted.

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Jim Schwartz excited about Eagles speed at LB; T.J. Edwards’ maturation process

Jim Schwartz has high-praise for T.J. Edwards; Excited about Eagles speed at LB

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The Philadelphia Eagles allowed Nigel Bradham to walk into free agency, choosing to retool the roster and add speed at wide receiver and linebacker. The Eagles add Jatavis Brown in free agency and then added two speedy tacklers in Davion Taylor and Temple product, Shaun Bradley.

During his Friday zoom meeting, Schwartz was giddy about the new speed at linebacker and he was especially excited about T.J. Edwards’ potential at middle linebacker.

Jim Schwartz on the LBs: "As far as household names, there's not a lot of that at the position. But we have a lot of guys who've put a lot of time on the grass and the meeting rooms in our program, and it's time to see those guys play."

First player he mentioned was T.J. Edwards

— Zach Berman (@ZBerm) July 31, 2020

Schwartz on the LB group: “All those guys we’re excited about … we have some real speed at that position. We’ve made a real strong point to add speed.” Says this LB group has most speed or any LB group he’s had here.#FlyEaglesFly

— Dave Spadaro (@EaglesInsider) July 31, 2020

Nate Gerry is solid as a returner, while Jatavis Brown’s play dipped with the Chargers, but he’s ultra-quick and could be a sleeper candidate at linebacker. The dream scenario would be for T.J. Edwards to quarterback the defense at middle linebacker, with the hybrid package of Davion Taylor, Shaun Bradley and Nate Gerry handling the passing down.

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LB deemed the biggest roster hole for the Philadelphia Eagles after the 2020 NFL draft

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The NFL draft is over and although the Eagles were able to fill several pressing needs, analysts and experts alike believe the Birds still have one pressing need.

ESPN+ and Football Outsiders took a look at each team’s biggest need coming out of the draft, and after the Eagles addressed the skill positions and offensive line, the linebacker position was once again deemed the Birds’ biggest need.

Philadelphia Eagles: Linebacker

Quarterback Jalen Hurts opens the door for some creative offensive playcalling, but with Carson Wentz on the roster, the Eagles’ selection of Hurts tends toward luxury. The team will likely feel the effects of that indulgence the most at linebacker in 2020. The Eagles addressed the position with their next pick in the third round, but in between, second-tier linebackers who could be immediate every-down players, Zack Baun and Logan Wilson, went off the board. The Eagles’ subsequent pick, Davion Taylor, has the athleticism to become a three-down player in time, but he is inexperienced. He did not play football before he turned 18 and played just two years in the FBS at Colorado. Presumed starters Nathan Gerry and T.J. Edwards have just 19 starts between them, the lion’s share by Gerry in 2019, when, according to Sports Info Solutions, he missed an alarming 29% of his attempted tackles, the highest rate among linebackers with 50 or more attempts. Should either Gerry or Edwards falter, Taylor likely will not be ready to fill in during his rookie season.

The Eagles added Jatavis Brown in free agency along with drafting Taylor who is a raw athlete but has the potential to be a three-down linebacker if he can figure out the nuances of the game quickly.

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