NFL Free Agency Rumors: Eagles interested in Nick Fairley

The Philadelphia Eagles are one of a few NFL teams interested in free agent defensive tackle Nick Fairley, according to a report from NJ.com. Twitter user @AllbrightNFL, who allegedly broke Fairley to the Rams last offseason, also says the Eagles are a finalist for Fairley.

These rumblings aren't hard to believe. The Eagles have already shown a great deal of interest in former Jim Schwartz players this offseason. The Birds ended up signing three of Schwartz's players from Buffalo: linebacker Nigel Bradham, cornerback Leodis McKelvin, and cornerback Ron Brooks. Signing Fairley, whom the Lions drafted with the No. 13 overall pick in 2011, would only extend that pattern.

The 28-year-old Fairley measures in at 6-4, 308 pounds. He's started 30 games in 61 career appearances. In his five year NFL career, Fairley has managed to rack up 84 tackles, 14 sacks, five forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries, and one touchdown. He only had 0.5 sacks in 2015 with the Rams.

Fairley wouldn't be a full-time starter for the Eagles. The Birds already have young talents such as Fletcher Cox and Bennie Logan on the interior defensive line. He would provide much-needed depth, however. He could make an impact as a rotational player. With limited cap space to work with, the Eagles will need to be able to get him at their price in order to make it happen.