2020 NFL Draft: Philadelphia Eagles final 7-round 2020 NFL mock draft

The Philadelphia  Eagles have arguably needed a new linebacker since the injury of Jordan Hicks in 2018. When Hicks left in free agency last offseason, the Eagles linebacker group lost its best player. This offseason, the Eagles released veteran linebacker Nigel Bradham, a player with Super Bowl experience but injury prone and a propensity to commit unnecessary penalties.

Kamu Grugier-Hill left this offseason as well, reducing their linebacker group to a handful of backup-level players. Roseman has consistently undervalued the linebacker position, preferring to prioritize the defensive line and cornerback position. But after losing so much talent over the last two offseasons, the Eagles will need to address the position early in the 2020 NFL Draft.

Defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz prefers having pass-rushing groups get pressure with the four defensive linemen. However, in the last two seasons, the Eagles have typically prioritized stopping the run, dropping safeties and linebackers in the box to cover open gaps. The team certainly succeeded in stopping the run, the defense ranking third in the NFL for running yards allowed, according to NFL.com.

But this tendency to drop secondary defenders into the box has cost the team big plays downfield and contributed to last season’s problems in the secondary with big plays of 30-yards or more.

In the 2020 NFL Draft, Roseman and the Eagles front office will have an opportunity to prioritize adding players who can work in coverage, allowing the defensive line to get pressure on its own. At the linebacker position, the Eagles should consider drafting one who has a track record of successful coverage play, who can also be a presence in the run game.

Linebacker Troy Dye from the Oregon Ducks has a long history of being a solid starting linebacker. At 6-foot-3, 231-pounds, Dye is the type of player who can be counted on to shut down opposing tight ends while also handling outside linebacker duties.

He has four seasons of starting linebacker snaps for the Ducks and has shown a variety of linebacker traits that should keep Roseman’s attention. But his best trait, off the field at least, is his ability to keep teammates entertained and engaged.

His NFL.com Combine report is a mixed bag of good and bad. The scouting report says he has a “high football IQ”, can be a great locker room presence, that Dye will harass quarterbacks as a Blitzer, has superb tackling and is a three-down linebacker. His negatives include a smaller frame for the NFL and being weak against power running.

What really makes Dye an intriguing linebacker prospect is his sure-fire tackling. During his college career, Dye had 42 tackles for a loss, 14 passes defended and 13 sacks, according to Sports Reference. He earned 391 tackles during his time in college, third-most of any linebacker in the Pac-12 since 2005. In the third round of the 2020 NFL Draft, Dye would be a steal for Roseman and the Eagles coaching staff.

Dye is a clean tackler, a player who can be counted on to bring down receivers and running backs. Missed tackles were a problem for the Eagles in 2019 (along with the rest of the NFL) as tackling numbers have gone down in recent years. These are skills that are necessary components of any linebacker who takes the field for the Philadelphia Eagles in 2020.