Devin White is available on the market for the second time in just seven months.
On Tuesday, the Philadelphia Eagles announced the release of the veteran linebacker, who had signed a one-year contract in March. White did not appear in any games for Philadelphia, having lost a position battle to former Georgia standout Nakobe Dean.
New England Patriots executive vice president of player personnel, Eliot Wolf, should consider reaching out to White.
White spent his first five seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where he emerged as a key player on their defense. He earned Pro Bowl honors in 2021 and was named a second-team All-Pro in 2020. During the 2020 season, he recorded a career-high 140 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, and nine sacks. Over a three-year span in Tampa Bay, he averaged 130 tackles per season.
Selected fifth overall in the 2019 NFL Draft, White is still just 26 years old.
New England is in need of a talent boost, particularly at linebacker, after losing captain Ja’Whaun Bentley to a season-ending injury. Linebackers Jahlani Tavai and Raekwon McMillan have struggled to fill Bentley’s role, showing weaknesses both against the run and in pass coverage. Tavai performed better when playing off the edge before Bentley’s injury.
White could be a valuable addition.
Not long ago, he was a reliable tackler in the middle of the Tampa Bay defense. He has demonstrated his ability to pressure quarterbacks (with 23 sacks) and create turnovers (nine forced fumbles).
The Patriots cannot afford to pass on talent. They need to take chances on potential, especially when those opportunities come at no cost on the open market.
