The Eagles are 6-2 and on a four-game winning streak, and a significant factor in the improvement of a much-maligned defensive unit starts with the law firm at linebacker. During the NFL off-season, the Devin White signing was supposed to transform Philadelphia’s defense. At the same time, Zack Baun was labeled a low-budget signing that could translate into the former Saints pass rusher having a hybrid and versatile role for Vic Fangio’s unit.
Fast forward to Week 10, and White spent the first month of the season as a healthy scratch before getting released and signing with the Texans. Baun hit the ground running and has been a high-value signing that could become a long-term extension. Nakobe Dean started the season off slow after rehabbing from a foot injury. After a few weeks of terrible tackling, he’s looked like the player Philadelphia and other teams coveted coming out of the University of Georgia.
This season, Baun is ranked first among NFL linebackers in Defensive stops (37), and he’s second in passer rating allowed (73.3).
Since Week 6, Baun has posted 36 tackles (23 solo) with one tackle for loss, one interception, and one forced fumble. During that same stretch, Nakobe Dean has combined for 34 tackles (20 solo), three tackles for loss, 2.0 sacks, one interception, and one fumble recovered. In Week 9 vs. Jacksonville, Baun and Dean became the first Eagles linebacker duo to each record an interception in the same game since Carlos Emmons and Jeremiah Trotter in the “Pickle Juice Game” during the 2000 season at Dallas.
