OLB Nigel Bradham
Age: 26
Height: 6-2
Weight: 241
Last team: Buffalo Bills
2015 stats: 59 tackles, 1.0 sack and 3 pass breakups in 11 starts
Bradham's numbers last season would be enough to dismiss this as nothing more than a depth move if you didn't already know better. But what if we told you the fifth-year linebacker racked up 104 tackles, 2.5 sacks, six pass breakups, an interception and two forced fumbles in 14 games under defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz in 2014?
This low-key signing may turn out to be one of the very best moves the Eagles make this offseason. In the right system, Bradham could have every bit the impact of big-money free agents Rodney McLeod or Brandon Brooks, and Schwartz's scheme seems to be exactly the right fit. Bradham became a playmaker in '14 under Schwartz's guidance, and there are reasons to believe that was no fluke.
Begin with the size and athleticism. At 6'2", 241 pounds, Bradham is big enough to take on blockers, sort through the rubble at the point of attack and bring down the ball-carrier. And with 4.6 speed, he is fast enough to rush the passer, chase down runners in the open field or drop into coverage. He's a classic 4-3 outside linebacker.
Bradham has dealt with injuries the past two seasons, missing a total of seven games. There's also no guarantee he recaptures his 2014 form under Schwartz, but why not see? It's only a two-year deal, so regardless of money -- and the fact that it isn't reported yet suggests the numbers are team-friendly -- the risk is low. At worst, Bradham serves in a rotation or as depth as well as on special teams. Best case scenario, he wins a starting job outright and becomes a beast. Sometimes all it takes is the right fit to unlock a player's potential.
Grade: A+