The Philadelphia Eagles are facing significant gaps in their defensive lineup, particularly at linebacker and safety positions, specifically for the 2024 season.
In preparation for NFL free agency and the upcoming draft, the team will assess their primary positional needs, prioritizing them over positional value, which is typically addressed during free agency.
Once free agency concludes, the Eagles will reevaluate their positional needs with a focus on long-term roster construction and positional importance, which may highlight areas such as offensive tackle and cornerback.
Howie Roseman expressed confidence in Nakobe Dean during his end-of-season press conference, emphasizing the team’s belief in his potential despite some challenges faced in the previous season.
In 2023, the Eagles pinned their hopes on Dean becoming a reliable three-down linebacker, but lacked a backup plan. The linebacker performance was inconsistent, with Zach Cunningham being one of the better performers among the group.
The team struggled defensively, particularly in the passing game, due to subpar linebacker play and lack of depth. Dean is expected to return in 2024, possibly joined by Cunningham, but relying solely on Dean with a similar supporting cast may not be sufficient.
The Eagles took a more reasonable approach at safety last offseason, but injuries and ineffective player utilization hindered their progress. The acquisition of Kevin Byard at the trade deadline provided a temporary boost but didn’t fully address their safety concerns.
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