When the Eagles signed Javon Hargrave this past offseason to a three-year, $39 million deal in March, it gave the team numerous options when it came to combinations in the middle of the defensive line.
Malik Jackson is coming off a Lisfranc injury he suffered early in the 2019 season, resulting in his placed on injured reserve, ending his season. Jackson can be very effective when he is healthy and can shift to a number of different spots along the defensive line.
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Defensive line coach Matt Burke spoke to reporters last week about the options available on the defensive line and what it is like to have Jackson in the fold with Fletcher Cox and Hargrave. Burke said although it is still early in camp, he excited about the potential for the trio.
"I'm excited about all those guys. To have the closest path of the quarterback is the A-gap, and you can get interior pressure with those guys," Burke said. "That tends to affect quarterbacks a lot. To have three-plus accomplished guys that have shown they can win in those interior rushes is going to be huge."
Since 2017, Jackson is fifth in the NFL among defensive tackles in sacks, compiling eight. His ability to rush the passer and create pressure could make it difficult for quarterbacks to step up in the pocket and make life easier for defensive ends.
Jackson is also able to line up at defensive end, making him a viable asset against the run.
“I think just the versatility is going to allow us to move guys around to create different matchups and put the right bodies on the field,” Burke added. It may look different week to week, or even within the games, as we’re as we’re making adjustments with the more pass rushers we have at all spots.”
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