This is almost a clean slate, one that is open for competition and, truly, very difficult to predict who will emerge earning playing time. Some of the magic Defensive Coordinator Vic Fangio has forged in his storied career is to meld talent and find the best positions for players to excel. With that, he's got work to do in this Training Camp in the linebacker room and what makes it an even playing field is that every player is learning the defense at the introductory level. Nakobe Dean is in for his third season and has a chance to take the next step in his career after an injury-plagued second year in 2023.
Ben VanSumeren is intriguing given his incredible athletic ability and his quick absorbing of the position after limited time in college playing linebacker. He'll be a fun player to watch this summer.
Brandon Smith was a Carolina fourth-round draft pick in 2022 and has played in 14 NFL games, including two last season with the Eagles. He's on even ground as well and has a chance to earn a role on this roster.
The Eagles invested in linebacker during free agency, signing former Pro Bowl playmaker Devin White, a Super Bowl winner in his five seasons with Tampa Bay. Zack Baun came on last year in New Orleans and it's going to be interesting to see what plans Fangio has for him. Oren Burks played with San Francisco in the Super Bowl and can play a variety of roles, including being a key member of the special teams here.
How does Jeremiah Trotter Jr. fit in? We will find out. It is a great story and everything, but the Eagles selected Trotter for a reason and are looking forward to seeing him develop in Fangio's system.
New to the Nest: White, Baun, and Burks joined the Eagles in free agency and Trotter became an Eagle via the NFL Draft. Those are four new faces who can add some experience, energy, and playmaking to this room.
Bird Talk: "This is a winning culture and I wanted to be part of that. Being in the big games. Watching them, they've been in the big games, making a lot of noise in the league. When they go to other teams' house, you've got to be ready to play them. They're the big dogs around the NFL. I consider myself a big dog – that's what my son always says – so I wanted to join a big dog, to help them get to the goal that they ultimately want, and that's a championship and that's what I want." – Devin White on why he signed with the Eagles in free agency
Notable Stat: Devin White is one of only two NFL players since 2019 to record more than 500 total tackles (566) and 20-plus sacks (23). New Orleans' Demario Davis has 565 total tackles and 24 quarterback sacks in the same time period.
Under the Microscope: Basically everyone and everything, given all the potential personnel looks here. Can Dean stay healthy and be the playmaker the Eagles envisioned when they selected him in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft? Can White return to the form he showed in Tampa Bay? Is Baun ready to break out? What is the ceiling for VanSumeren? And so on and so on. There is a lot to look at here.
