Eagles Should Add Depth As Uncertainty Looms at LB
The Philadelphia Eagles struck gold by finding and developing Zack Baun into an All-Pro LB in 2024. While the Eagles were able to re-sign Baun to the massive contract extension that he deserved, there is a bit of uncertainty in Philadelphia’s LB room heading into training camp.
Nakobe Dean enjoyed a breakout campaign last season, yet it was ended abruptly after he suffered a torn left patellar tendon against the Green Bay Packers in the playoffs. Now Dean is working his way back to the field in a contract year and Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio said that the 24-year-old LB “won’t be back for a while” during OTAs.
While Dean continues to recover, Philadelphia traded up to select Jihaad Campbell in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft. Yet he is also recovering from an injury, after undergoing shoulder surgery during the offseason. While Fangio said that Campbell could return “sometime in August,” Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni wasn’t ready to place a timetable on the rookie’s return.
Behind Philadelphia’s projected top three LBs, there is a ton of inexperience and uncertainty. Jeremiah Trotter Jr. played 111 total defensive snaps during his rookie season, primarily during garbage time or in a meaningless game against the New York Giants in Week 18. Dallas Gant played just one defensive snap last season, also in Week 18.
Then there is Smael Mondon Jr. and Lance Dixon, two rookies that have yet to play a single snap in the NFL. If the Eagles are expecting to be without Dean or Campbell for an extended period of time, they should consider adding another veteran to the LB room in Philadelphia.
Here are three potential targets for the Eagles at LB that would add experience and depth in the City of Brotherly Love:
Kyzir White
The Eagles organization and several members of the coaching staff are familiar with Kyzir White. He recorded 110 total tackles and 1.5 sacks for the Eagles in 2023 before following Jonathan Gannon to Arizona. Now White is 29-years-old and somehow still available on the free agent market.
White started 17 games for the Cardinals last season, as he recorded 137 total tackles, nine tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks and one interception. While he would likely prefer to land a starting job elsewhere, the New Jersey native could opt to return close to home and add much-needed experience and depth for the Eagles at LB.
Duke Riley
Eagles fans likely remember Duke Riley for his two-year tenure in Philadelphia. Riley started eight games during his time with the Eagles, as he recorded 55 total tackles and one interception. While he was inconsistent at LB, he was a special teams captain for the Eagles and added value there.
After leaving Philadelphia and signing with the Miami Dolphins, Riley actually excelled in his only season working under Fangio in 2023. He started five games for the Dolphins that season and show promise in Fangio’s scheme. Riley would excel as a special teams contributor for the Eagles, while also providing depth with 36 career starts at LB in the NFL.
Garret Wallow
Eagles general manager Howie Roseman loves to give opportunities to players that have struggled elsewhere. Garret Wallow was selected by the Houston Texans in the fifth round of the 2021 NFL Draft. Ironically, Eagles LB coach Bobby King was on Houston’s coaching staff at that time as their defensive line coach, despite his extensive history as a LB coach.
Following a two-year stint with the Texans that included five starts, Wallow was signed off Houston’s practice squad by the Tennessee Titans in late December of 2023. Guess who was the Titans inside LB coach at that time? That’s right, it was Bobby King!
Could Wallow and King work together on a third team? We’ll see. Unfortunately, Wallow suffered a pectoral injury during the preseason and missed all of 2024. Now Wallow appears ready to return to the field and would provide the Eagles with depth and a bit of upside considering that he is just 26-years-old.