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Lack of depth at linebacker improves chances for rookies on roster

There is little intrigue about who will start at linebacker for the Eagles – expect to see Mychal Kendricks and Nigel Bradham as outside linebackers, with Jordan Hicks in the middle. But the three combined to miss 15 games last season because of injury, and depth is a major concern at the position.

The only established backup linebacker is Najee Goode. Ty Powell and Deontae Skinner have NFL experience, but they'll need to play their way onto their roster. The Eagles spent a seventh-round pick on Joe Walker, but three of the team's five past seventh-round picks never played a down for the team. Walker is still a player to watch for the 53-man roster. And of any position on the roster, this is the one in which undrafted rookies might have the best shot.

When Howie Roseman spoke about the linebackers after the draft, he mentioned Walker and taking a shot on talent in the undrafted market with players "we had on our draft board that we were thinking about drafting."

The two undrafted rookies at the position are Myke Tavarres and Quentin Gause.

Tavarres, 23, is 6-foot-1 and 230 pounds and from the University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio. Defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz noted that Tavarres put the small school on his radar. Tavarres led the Cardinals in tackles (110) and sacks (8.5), and has played as a weak-side linebacker this spring. He'll likely try to beat out Skinner to back up Kendricks this summer.

"He's more going through the transition of moving back and being more coverage oriented," Schwartz said. "I think that's going to best fit his skill set. He can run, made a lot of plays in college, but he also went from junior college, cup of coffee at Arkansas to Incarnate Word, so he's got a big jump ahead of him. But he has the skill set to be able to do it."

Gause comes from Rutgers, where the 6-foot, 243-pound Rochester, N.Y., native was honorable-mention all-Big Ten last season. He is working behind Bradham and Goode at strong-side linebacker.

"I remember one of the scouts coming to me a couple weeks before the draft and asking me to look at him," Schwartz said. "Knowing we weren't going to have a whole lot of draft picks and we were going to have to hit on some of those free agents. …

"Those guys all have an opportunity. He's played inside and outside. He's strong. Like a lot of rookies, his head is swimming right now. They're working really hard to try to get ahead of the curve so that when camp comes, they can show their very best. He's on the right track, but he's got a long way to go."

Walker has been working as the backup middle linebacker this spring – an important position considering Hicks' injury history. Walker started 21 games at Oregon and led the Ducks in tackles last season. At 6-foot-2 and 236 pounds, he has the frame to play the position. But there is a major scheme adjustment coming to Schwartz's defense.

That's to be expected in the first month as a rookie, but these are all players to watch this summer. Because without much proven depth at the position and with starters who have injury histories, the rookies could become factors this season.