The Eagles started Devin White and Zack Baun as their off-ball LBs in Friday night's preseason opener against the Ravens. That's especially noteworthy because LB Nakobe Dean entered the game after them. That seems a pretty clear signal Dean isn't close to retaining his starting job from last year. White and Baun both joined Philly as free agents this offseason. Baun joined the Saints as a third-round pick back in 2020 but never found his way into the lineup. He reached a 50% snap share just three times across four seasons in New Orleans.
HC Nick Sirianni on Baun: "[He] brings an element of toughness with the way he plays with his motor, with the way he strikes blocks. ... Like this guy is a tough, tough dude that plays with great detail and great passion for this game with physicality.
Devin White on choosing Eagles over more money elsewhere: "I took less, because I felt it was a better situation. That lets you know it ain’t about the money. It ain’t ever been about the money. It’s about being in the right situation, the right environment. and being able to have fun."
That also likely speaks to how Philly viewed White's chances of starting in those discussions.
DC Vic Fangio on importance of ILBs: "I think every defense in the NFL relies on a high level of production from the ILBs, especially with the way the game is being played now. It used to be a position where you could somewhat overachieve and be a tough guy, but when the fullback disappeared and he’s been replaced by a third wideout or a second tight end that’s a good receiver — the game is played in space more, but yet they still run the ball a good deal. So the ILB position has become a more demanding position in the last decade or so and it’s hard to play good defense without good ILB play."
Someone will score fantasy points at LB for the Eagles.
T.J. Edwards emerged as an IDP star two years ago before parlaying that into a big contract with Chicago (and more fantasy production there).
Dean opened last season as the lead LB but landed on IR with a Week 1 foot injury. He wound up returning for four games before another injury but never hit 70% playing time in a game.
Nicholas Morrow and Zach Cunningham delivered some useful fantasy weeks despite not being good players. The team chose to retain neither for 2024.
Coaches still seemed to talk up Dean heading into the offseason, but he has garnered negative buzz in training camp -- especially for his play in coverage. That sounds like it wouldn't sit well with what Fangio wants from the position.
White endured a rocky finish to his five-year stint with the Bucs. He has built his reputation with splash plays while not proving to be as effective in coverage or tackling as his high profile would suggest.
The fact that Philly could get him for just $4 million on a one-year deal ahead of his age-26 season supports that.
But White looks like the best bet for fantasy scoring among Eagles LBs. He has showed a wide range of potential fantasy outcomes across his starting campaigns and is likely to come at no more than LB3-level cost this year.
Baun hit the league as a strong athlete with no true position.
He did his best college work on the edge at Wisconsin and played more snaps there than at off-ball LB in New Orleans. But Baun's 6'2, 238-pound frame clearly fits ILB better than edge in the NFL.
Baun gets a starting shot after watching Saints LB Demario Davis for four years and now working under Fangio, one of the league's most respected defensive coaches.
If Baun can stick on the field in passing sub packages, he could be an "out of nowhere" impact player in IDP leagues.
Neither White nor Baun is a lock to even finish this season in Philly's lineup -- much less deliver any value beyond this season. Keep the focus on 2024 for both players, until/unless the Eagles indicate some commitment beyond that.
Dean, meanwhile, will be cuttable across IDP dynasty leagues if he doesn't earn a starting job by Week 1.
I knocked Dean way down this morning in both our redraft IDP rankings and dynasty rankings.
White and Baun, meanwhile got big boosts in the LB rankings. Each carries big upside vs. a likely late-round draft cost.
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