Should Philly Sign Yannick Ngakoue?

Whether the team wants to admit it or not, the Philadelphia Eagles are reeling after the season-ending injury to defensive end Brandon Graham.

Philadelphia’s longest-tenured football player in team history suffered a torn triceps injury during the Eagles’ 37-20 win over the Los Angeles Rams. While the organization moved quickly to sign unproven veterans to their roster, more moves are needed. 

Especially when you account for veteran edge defender Bryce Huff also landing himself on injured reserve with a wrist injury himself. 

There is one particular free-agent edge defender who would appear to be perfect for Philadelphia’s defense and to replace Graham as soon as possible.

Former third-round star of the Jacksonville Jaguars, Yannick Ngakoue.

As a 29-year-old journeyman, Ngakoue is a player who has been solid against the run, but one of the league’s more dependable edge rushers over his nine-year career. 

In a career that has seen him play for seven different teams since 2016, Ngakoue has recorded 70.5 sacks during his career and could be the kind of veteran presence the Eagles have lost with Graham now hurt. 

In 2023, Ngakoue recorded 1.5 sacks for the Baltimore Ravens and New England Patriots but only played in seven total games due to injuries. If he isn’t healthy, the whole conversation is moot. 

But for an organization sitting pretty at a 9-2 clip, the Eagles know they will need to address the edge defense over the next few weeks and a player like Ngakoue makes the most sense for everyone involved.