5 best training camp battles for Eagles in 2019

PHILADELPHIA, PA – JUNE 03: Philadelphia Eagles outside linebacker Kamu Grugier-Hill (54) looks on during the Philadelphia Eagles OTA on June 3, 2019 at the Novacare Training Complex in Philadelphia, PA (Photo by John Jones/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

4. Left outside linebacker

Kamu Grugier-Hill vs. Nathan Gerry

A season ago, Jim Schwartz’s defensive unit just wasn’t as effective as it was during the team’s Super Bowl campaign of 2017. That year, only three teams in the NFL allowed fewer total yards per game. Led by superstar defensive tackle and a deep defensive front, the Eagles finished first in the league against the run – surrendering a mere 79.2 yards per contest. The pass rush produced 38 sacks, the club surrendered only 31 offensive touchdowns and the Birds collected 31 takeaways.

Fast forward to ’18. Philadelphia slipped to 23rd in total defense and wasn’t as staunch when facing opposing ground attacks. The real issue was the team’s pass defense as only two teams in the NFL gave up more yards through the air. While the Eagles actually finished with more sacks (38), Pederson’s less-than-opportunistic squad forced only 17 turnovers.

While GM Howie Roseman rebuilt the team’s depth on the defensive line this offseason, there figures to be some big-time tweaks at linebacker. While Nigel Bradham is a fixture in the starting lineup and led the team in tackles this past season, is three-year pro Kamu Grugier-Hill set on the other side? He played in all 16 games and made 10 starts but finished with only 34 tackles on defense (11 on special teams), as well as one sack, a forced fumble and two passes defensed. The one-time New England Patriots’ draft choice figures to be pushed this summer by Nathan Gerry, a fifth-round pick in 2017. But is Roseman done addressing this position?

Next: No. 3