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The Eagles pass rush took a step forward this past season but could lose some of its punch this summer. Trent Cole may be a cap casualty and Brandon Graham is headed toward free agency. The Eagles had some interest in free agent pass rushers last season, so they could fill holes with veterans this offseason.
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Jason Worilds was reportedly targeted by the Eagles last offseason and could get another look this March. He has played in a 3-4 defense that is similar to that of the Eagles and he looks like a great fit on paper.
NFL Career
A second round pick out of Virginia Tech, the Steelers selected Worilds in the 2010 NFL Draft. As a rookie, Worilds played in 14 games and collected 17 tackles and two sacks. In his second season, he played in 12 games (seven starts) and collected 38 tackles, three sacks and a forced fumble.
In 2012, Worilds played in all 16 games (three starts) and produced 23 tackles, five sacks and two pass breakups. In his fourth year, he played in 15 games (11 starts) and had 63 tackles, eight sacks and two forced fumble. He received the franchise tag during the offseason, which kept him in Pittsburgh.
Last season, Worilds started all 16 games. He produced 59 tackles, 7.5 sacks, an interception and a forced fumble.
Appeal to the Eagles
The Eagles would have another outside linebacker with 3-4 experience in Worilds. He would come to Philadelphia after spending his entire career in a similar 3-4 defense. He played under Billy Davis' mentor, Dick LeBeau, and likely knows a lot of the defense's terminologies. If Cole or Graham or both are gone, Worilds is a veteran that could step in right away and allow Marcus Smith to stay inside or continue to learn the outside position. The Eagles seemed very interested in him last offseason, so it wouldn't be a stretch to predict interest this time around.
Appeal to Worilds
A Rahway, NJ native, Worilds heading to Philadelphia would bring him closer to home. The Eagles have a lot of cash to spend and Worilds could get a nice contract here. LeBeau is gone, Worilds may want to leave as well. It might be a safe bet if you were to say that a transition tag was only thing that kept him in Pittsburgh this past season.