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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3 things to know about new Eagles LB Jatavis Brown

Jatavis Brown could be a special teams ace for the Eagles

The Philadelphia Eagles interrupted a quiet Saturday to add former Chargers linebacker Jatavis Brown to the roster on a one-year deal.

Brown is a speedy, physical and undersized linebacker who could find a fit on the Eagles roster and definitely excel on special teams.

With Brown spending the bulk of his NFL career on the west coast, here are three things to know about the Eagles’ new linebacker.

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1. Brown was a MAC (Mid-American Conference) monster in college

Brown was a stud linebacker at Akron, earning All-MAC First-team honors three years in a row. In his senior year, Brown was the MAC Defensive Player of the year after logging 116 tackles, 19.5 tackles for loss, and a team record 11.5 sacks.

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3 notable pending free agents Chargers should let walk

Chargers Wire’s Gavino Borquez lays out three players that might not be back with the Los Angeles Chargers next season.

Chargers general manager Tom Telesco and company are gearing up for one of their biggest offseasons yet.

Los Angeles has 15 unrestricted free agents. The Chargers can sign them to an extension before the free agency period opens up in March. Or, they will be able to sign with any other team.

There are a few pending free agents that will likely have new homes when the 2020 season begins.

With that, here are three notable unrestricted free agents that the Chargers should let go:

LB Jatavis Brown

Brown was a bit of unknown this past season, as his playing time was nearly nonexistent, seeing the field for only 92 snaps at the linebacker position. Since shining in his rookie season, his production has taken a toll. Three lower body injuries have held Brown back dating back to 2017.

Brown was a bright spot when he was on the field, but durability concerns have been there and the team appears to prefer what they have in Thomas Davis, Denzel Perryman, Drue Tranquill and Kyzir White. Based on the snaps he was given in what was considered a prove-it season, it’s hard to imagine him being back.

WR Travis Benjamin

Benjamin was signed to a one-year extension last offseason. He was brought back because he has the veteran experience and was coveted for his speed and the ability to beat defenders over the top.

Expected to serve as the No. 3 wide receiver heading into the season, he was unable to fulfill that. Benjamin only managed to play in five games, in which he posted five catches for 30 yards before landing on the injured reserve.

After a decent 2017 campaign, he hasn’t been efficient at catching the football and he hasn’t improved when it comes to taking contact, which have been glaring issues over the course of the past few years.

RB Melvin Gordon

Gordon spent this past offseason pushing for a new, hefty contract, but was unable to get that fulfilled. He held out into the regular season, but came back four weeks into it knowing that it wouldn’t do him any good to remain off the field.

It wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows for Gordon upon returning to the field, but he finally found his groove in Week 9. He finished the season with 612 rushing yards (3.8 yards per carry) and nine total touchdowns.

Even though Gordon has proven his worth the past few seasons, durability is still a concern since he’s had a slew of lower body injuries throughout his career. Plus, the emergence of Austin Ekeler and backup Justin Jackson has made Los Angeles’ backfield crowded.

List of Chargers 2020 unrestricted free agents

Updated look at the 16 players scheduled to become unrestricted free agents for the Chargers.

The Los Angeles Chargers still have five games remaining in the regular season. However, sitting at 4-7, their playoff chances are nearly diminished, which means that in a little over a month the front office will have some decisions to make.

With a few notable players on the roster that are set to become unrestricted free agents, general manager Tom Telesco and company will have to start thinking about who is worthy of returning for another stint with L.A. when they move into their new stadium with the Rams in 2020.

With that, here’s an updated look at the 16 players scheduled to become unrestricted free agents at the beginning of the 2020 league year.

QB Philip Rivers

RB Melvin Gordon

WR Travis Benjamin

G Michael Schofield

DT Damion Square

S Adrian Phillips

TE Hunter Henry

LB Nick Dzubnar

TE Lance Kendricks

WR Dontrelle Inman

WR Geremy Davis

S Jaylen Watkins

G Ryan Groy

DT Sylvester Williams

LB Jatavis Brown

FB Derek Watt

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