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Philadelphia Eagles: 10 potential lottery picks to keep an eye on

By David Esser

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JANUARY 13: Ja'Marr Chase #1 of the LSU Tigers reacts after a catch against the Clemson Tigers in the College Football Playoff National Championship game at Mercedes Benz Superdome on January 13, 2020 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JANUARY 13: Ja'Marr Chase #1 of the LSU Tigers reacts after a catch against the Clemson Tigers in the College Football Playoff National Championship game at Mercedes Benz Superdome on January 13, 2020 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /
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Nov 9, 2019; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions linebacker Micah Parsons (11) celebrates after sacking the Minnesota Golden Gophers quarterback Tanner Morgan (not pictured) in the second half at TCF Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 9, 2019; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions linebacker Micah Parsons (11) celebrates after sacking the Minnesota Golden Gophers quarterback Tanner Morgan (not pictured) in the second half at TCF Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports /

Micah Parsons, LB

Ever since they let Jordan Hicks walk in free agency, the Philadelphia Eagles as an organization have tried to sell us on the idea that modern day linebackers don’t particularly “matter.” From Howie Roseman to Jim Schwartz, the team has effectively invested zero real assets into the position over the last two offseasons.

Here in 2020, it finally came back to bite them.

Schwartz tried to make college-safety-turned-linebacker Nate Gerry work early on in the season, and his performance against Los Angeles was one of the worst things I’ve ever seen. Guys like Duke Riley and TJ Edwards have been exposed routinely, and rookies Shaun Bradley and Davion Taylor still can’t find consistent playing time.

Former undrafted free agent Alex Singleton has shown nice things recently, but he’s still nowhere near being a starting LB.

Coming out of PA’s own Penn State, Micah Parsons would be the Eagles best overall linebacker since who even knows when. He opted out of the 2020 collegiate season due to COVID-19 concerns, but his 109 tackle/5 sack/5 passes defensed season in 2019 speaks for itself.

Parsons is a *tad* undersized at 6-3, 245lbs, which likely makes him a better off the ball linebacker at the pro level. His elite athleticism and defensive traits could see him almost take over the role that Malcolm Jenkins left behind this past summer.

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