Brandon Graham returns to Eagles: Impact on pass rush, trade deadline plans

PHILADELPHIA — Determined occasions name for determined measures. 

Brandon Graham is returning to the Philadelphia Eagles seven months after the 37-year-old, two-time Super Bowl champion retired from the league. Graham made the official announcement on Tuesday morning, after being in discussions with the Eagles about coming again to assist a move rush that’s in dire want of assist, because the Eagles ranked twenty ninth within the NFL in sack proportion (4.3%) and twenty sixth in sacks (11.0). 

The sting rushers have mixed for 3.5 sacks by seven video games, with Za’Darius Smith the chief within the clubhouse with 1.5 sacks. Smith retired from the NFL final week after solely taking part in 5 video games with the Eagles, and he wasn’t on the roster Week 1. Josh Uche and Patrick Johnson are the one different Eagles edge rushers with sacks (1.0 every), showcasing how depleted the place is. 

To make issues worse, the Eagles have loads of accidents at edge rusher. Nolan Smith and Ogbo Okoronkwo are on injured reserve with triceps accidents with Okoronkwo dominated out for the season. Azeez Ojulari additionally left Sunday’s win over the Minnesota Vikings with a hamstring harm.

For these counting at dwelling, the Eagles have simply three wholesome edge rushers on the roster: Uche, Johnson and Jalyx Hunt. They want Graham again only for depth, even when he isn’t the reply to a much bigger drawback. 

What led Graham to coming again?

Graham admitted on his podcast he by no means actually wished to retire when he introduced his retirement in March, however he felt the Eagles have been located at defensive finish. That did not transform the case because the Eagles misplaced Josh Sweat in free company, whereas including Uche and Ojulari to compensate the loss.

Previous to Sunday’s win over the Vikings, Uche and Ojulari mixed for zero sacks (Uche had a sack on Sunday) — and Ojulari was a wholesome scratch within the first 4 video games of the season. The Eagles additionally took a blow at edge rusher with Smith abruptly retiring, however Graham was planning on a return to the Eagles even with Smith on the roster. 

Graham’s agent mentioned a return with Howie Roseman early within the season, however the Eagles signed Smith — already having a veteran presence in that locker room. Smith’s retirement opened the door for Graham to return, as Graham admitted the Eagles referred to as him a few potential return final week. 

As for his availability for Sunday’s recreation towards the Giants? Graham is anticipated to play in that recreation, however that shall be finalized in the course of the week of apply. Graham was anticipated to return in the course of the Eagles’ bye week (Week 9), however that timeline was accelerated given the Eagles’ depth at edge rusher. 

What can Graham truly present for Eagles? 

Briefly, who is aware of? Graham performed by a torn triceps harm in Super Bowl LIX, the identical harm he suffered in November of what was his closing season. Graham will not be judged on his efficiency on the sector, however what he brings to the locker room in veteran expertise.

The Eagles had that with Za’Darius Smith previous to his sudden retirement, as Smith truly occupied Graham’s locker. With that locker vacant, Graham will fill the function as veteran mentor and chief. 

“His locker shall be prepared,” stated Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts to reporters following his press conference after Sunday’s win over the Vikings. 

The Eagles simply want our bodies at edge rusher at this stage of the season till Nolan Smith returns, which is anticipated to be someday after the bye week (Week 9). They’re depleted on the place, so Graham returning and taking snaps on Sunday towards the New York Giants can be a web constructive. 

Graham popping out of retirement after a Super Bowl championship the place he may stroll into the sundown is unorthodox, however not unprecedented. The Eagles may use one other participant on the sting simply to assist out what they presently have on the energetic roster.

Including Graham does not imply the Eagles are finished at edge rusher. Removed from it. 

Who can Eagles goal at edge rusher?

There are definitely some edge rushers who shall be out there on the commerce deadline, and the Eagles have loads of premium draft capital to accumulate one. The Eagles have 10 draft picks out there within the 2026 NFL Draft.

Eagles’ 2026 draft picks

The Eagles have 5 picks within the first three rounds and 7 within the first 4 rounds, permitting them to afford parting methods with a choose or two to get a premium edge rusher. Whereas the Eagles would favor to maintain their picks for future belongings, the purpose of getting premium draft picks is to make a Super Bowl contending roster higher on the commerce deadline.

That is what the Eagles should do in the event that they want to repeat as Super Bowl champions, because the move rush performed a serious half in successful Tremendous Bowl LIX. What the Eagles presently have at edge rusher is not slicing it, so listed here are some candidates who may fill a void. 

Trey Hendrickson is the premier edge rusher out there, and the Bengals aren’t out of the AFC North race as of but. Cincinnati might not truly commerce Hendrickson until they get a suggestion they cannot move up. Hendrickson has a 14.5% stress charge with 4.0 sacks on the season, and he is coming off consecutive 17.0-sack seasons. 

Including Hendrickson would arguably place the Eagles as the very best group within the NFC, even with their struggles on either side of the ball. 

The Dolphins are in a free fall as they’ve already had conversations about Mike McDaniel’s future. They are going to be sellers on the deadline, and have just a few gamers out there. Jaelan Phillips is within the fifth-year possibility of his rookie deal, so he’ll be a free agent after the season. 

Phillips has a 16.7% stress charge this season with 2.0 sacks and 22 pressures. He can be bolstered depth for an Eagles move rush that wants good gamers. Phillips has additionally performed one season beneath Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio, having 27 pressures, 6.5 sacks, and a 13.6% stress charge in eight video games in 2023. 

One other Dolphins participant out there on the deadline, the 29-year-old Bradley Chubb has an 11.5% stress charge with 4.0 sacks and 15 pressures in seven video games. A younger move rush (even with the addition of Graham), may use a veteran like Chubb — who had 11.0 sacks, 70 pressures, and a 15.7% stress charge in his yr with Fangio. 

Chubb has two years and $61.7 million in cap cash left on his deal, so buying him can be troublesome. He nonetheless would profit going again in Fangio’s scheme, as he additionally performed for the Eagles defensive coordinator with the Denver Broncos.