Howie Roseman has signed his share of big names as general manager of the Philadelphia Eagles, but he’s done even better with lesser-known players over the years.
Here are two that should be on his radar.
Safety Jordan Fuller
A sixth-round pick of the Rams in 2020, Fuller led the team with 113 tackles in 2021 on the way to winning Super Bowl LVI, but a hamstring injury in Week 4 cost him all but three games of the 2022 season.
He made up for the lost time in 2023 with 94 tackles, second most on the team, three interceptions, three forced fumbles and eight passes defended.
Thanks to his ability to track the ball, Fuller excels playing center field as a strong safety, but he also excels in run support with just six missed tackles last season.
Jordan Fuller gets a BIG interception! (via @RamsNFL)
pic.twitter.com/YzBg6t1Jgy— ESPN Los Angeles (@ESPNLosAngeles) October 29, 2023
He’s never been much of a blitzer, although seven of his nine career attempts did come last season. That won’t be a problem in Philadelphia where the Eagles blitzed on 22 percent of dropbacks, the 10th-lowest number in the league.
New defensive coordinator Vic Fangio blitzed even less as DC of the Dolphins last year, which should make Fuller an excellent, low-cost option for Philadelphia’s 31st-ranked secondary.
Safety DeShon Elliott
The 26-year-old played safety as well as nickel cornerback for Fangio’s Dolphins in 2023 while often being moved into the box for run support.
Like Fuller, Elliott has a reputation as a sound tackler, but he’s been used even less in blitz packages.
DeShon Elliott’s unlikely goal-line tackle led to a key Dolphins turnover VIDEO
— Joe Schad (@schadjoe) December 25, 2023
Elliott was originally a sixth-round pick of the Ravens and spent one year with the Lions where he had 96 tackles with a forced fumble and recovery before joining the Dolphins in 2023.
He had one interception in each of the past three years and finished last season with a career-high seven passes defended.
The Eagles can expect to pay around $4M per year for Elliott or Fuller, but neither should see long-term deals or much guaranteed money.
With only Reed Blankenship and Sydney Brown signed at the moment, Philadelphia could do worse than Elliott and Fuller.
