3 free agent linebackers the Philadelphia Eagles should toss a contract at
By David Esser
Denzel Perryman
2020 Team: Los Angeles Chargers
A player who the Philadelphia Eagles should have been interested in around the 2020 trade deadline, Denzel Perryman offers a pretty stark contrast to the likes of Walker Jr.
Operating as an inside linebacker for the Chargers defense, Perryman made a name for himself by being an above average coverage ‘backer. He recorded an allowed passer rating when targeted of just 71.7 in 2019, and recorded an allowed completion percentage when targeted of 53.6% when targeted the year prior. While Perryman is still a willing tackler (349 career tackles over six seasons), he’s definitely at his best when allowed to track tight ends and running backs on passing downs.
The Eagles obviously struggled with this aspect of their defense quite a bit in 2020, as opposing tight ends almost always went off against them. By snagging Perryman on a cheap one-year deal as their main coverage LB, it would have a positive trickle down effect on the rest of the team’s young linebackers.
Perryman is coming off a down year in 2020, a year where he only made six starts for the Chargers. Considering the way free agency is lining up (minimal spending set to take place), there’s a fairly decent chance Perryman good be acquired on a league minimum contract.