The Eagles added a third player to their relatively quiet offseason by signing linebacker Kyzir White on Saturday.
White was signed to a one-year contract reportedly worth up to $5 million. He was a fourth-round pick of the Los Angeles Chargers in 2018, and became a full-time starter in 2020.
PASS RUSHER ADDED:Eagles signing a top pass rusher from South Jersey
NOT THE ANSWER:Zach Pascal isn’t the answer for Eagles at wide receiver, but he gives a hint as to who is
White had his best season in 2021, starting all 17 games with a career-high 144 tackles, along with 2 interceptions and a sack.
Earlier this month, the Eagles signed pass rusher Haason Reddick and wide receiver Zach Pascal.
Here are three things to know about White:
1. 1st-round LB drought ending?
White is expected to start for the Eagles this season, but that doesn’t preclude them from drafting a true linebacker in the first round, something the Eagles haven’t done since 1979.
So if a linebacker like Utah’s Devin Lloyd or Georgia’s Nakobe Dean are available when the Eagles pick at No. 15, 16 or 19, they can still draft one.
After all, defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon values linebackers who can tackle, cover receivers and rush the passer. Both Lloyd and Dean fit that bill.
So does White, who is a converted safety.
Also, Smith signed only a one-year deal, so it’s not a long-term commitment. If he plays well, he’ll likely be too expensive for the Eagles to re-sign, especially because they haven’t paid much for linebac.
Besides, the Eagles tried this last season with Eric Wilson, a full-time starter in Minnesota before signing with the Eagles.
But Wilson lost his starting job midway through the season, and was released shortly thereafter. White, who just turned 26 years old, should be better than Wilson, but it’s not guaranteed.
2. Are Eagles giving up on Taylor?
White’s signing could mean two things, however.
One is that Davion Taylor, the Eagles’ third-round pick in 2020, might not be in their plans this season. Taylor was considered a project when the Eagles drafted him, mainly because he was relatively inexperienced; he barely played in high school because of religious reasons.
Taylor did make significant strides last season, and became a starter after Wilson was released. But Taylor also suffered a season-ending knee injury last season. It’s not known if he’ll be ready for this season.
The second is that the Eagles needed a linebacker to replace Alex Singleton, who ended up leading the Eagles in tackles for a second straight season. Singleton had 137 tackles after having 120 the year before. Singleton signed with the Denver Broncos as a free agent.
White will likely start next to T.J. Edwards on the inside.
3. White has ties to Eagles coaches
Eagles coach Nick Sirianni was the Chargers wide receivers coach, but had left to become the Colts’ offensive coordinator before L.A. drafted White. But Eagles offensive coordinator Shane Steichen was with the Chargers until 2020.
White became expendable after the Chargers traded for pass-rusher Khalil Mack, and signed cornerback J.C. Jackson and defensive lineman Sebastian Joseph-Day and Austin Johnson in free agency.
And as the signing period progressed, it’s likely that White decided to sign a one-year, prove-it type deal.
Contact Martin Frank at mfrank@delawareonline.com. Follow on Twitter @Mfranknfl.
