Bag A Buc

The aggressive approach by the Eagles in free agency continued Thursday, as the team reportedly agreed to sign veteran linebacker Devin White.

ESPN reported that it’s a one-year deal worth up to $7.5 million for the 26-year-old former Buccaneers inside linebacker who was picked fifth overall in 2019 and made a Pro Bowl in 2021 but who’s play has since declined.

White, an LSU product, is expected to start alongside third-year pro Nakobe Dean, assuming Dean is fully recovered from foot surgery, unless the Eagles continue to upgrade the position.

GETTY IMAGES: New Eagles LB Devin White, the 2018 fifth overall pick, won a Super Bowl with Tampa Bay.

Dean and White give the Eagles some experience – although Dean has played just 22 games – with free-agent signing Zack Baun and second-year pro Ben VanSumeren also adding to the mix.

White, an analytics favorite because of his elite athleticism, won a Super Bowl with the Bucs in his second season and had his fifth-year option picked up for 2023  but never received an extension and was even benched last season for poor performance.

White’s a good blitzer – he had nine sacks in his second season – but the Eagles don’t typically blitz very much, a trajectory that should continue under new defensive coordinator Vic Fangio, a zone-reliant coach who usually leans heavy on four-man rushes.

White finished the 2023 season with a career-low 83 tackles – and his one-year, prove-it offer from the Eagles illustrates the NFL’s view of his abilities.

In White and Dean, the Eagles will have two linebackers who weigh in the neighborhood of 240 pounds, continuing the team’s typical approach to going light at the position.

White had two interceptions last year, the most of his career, but went three consecutive seasons without an interception after having one as a rookie.

White is the seventh player signed by the Eagles in free agency, along with running back Saquon Barkley, edge rusher Bryce Huff, safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson, linebacker Zack Baun, wide receiver DeVante Parker, and center/guard Matt Hennessy.

– Geoff Mosher (@geoffmoshernfl) is co-host of the “Inside the Birds” podcast and staff writer for InsideTheBirds.com.