It was reported recently that newly crowned ArenaBowl champions WR Darius Reynolds and DL Jake Metz would be working out for the Eagles on Monday. The honeymoon continues for Metz who is reportedly set to sign with the Eagles following his workout today.
Breaking: @Eagles are signing @AFLarenaball DL of the Year, Jake Metz to a contract following his workout today!
☝🙌 @soulfootball @jawsespn— Coffee Jones (@AFLCoffee) August 29, 2016
The 25-year old possesses a 6’6, 265 pound frame that screams explosiveness..something he demonstrated emphatically this season in the AFL. Recording 29 tackles, eight sacks, forcing two fumbles and a further three pass breakups in 2016 was enough for Metz to be named the AFL’s Defensive Lineman Of The Year. He also led the league in tackles for a loss.
Metz also played a huge role in the team’s ArenaBowl victory, stripping the ball away from Rattlers QB Nick Davila at a vital point in the game.
Schwartz wants raw pass rushers who can burst through the trenches..and Metz ticks every box on the list and now has a shot to prove himself at the NFL level. An undrafted free agent in 2014, Metz worked out with several NFL teams prior to committing to the AFL. At College, Metz shattered the Shippensburg single season record for sacks.
With the Eagles surprisingly releasing Mike Martin yesterday, who was slated to occupy the backup DT spot..Metz could potentially be looking to sneak his way onto the depth chart to either compete for the new vacancy or earn a role as the fourth DT on the roster.
Depth at Defensive End is also fairly light, the versatile Metz who played DE at Shippensburg could also be seeing a few snaps on the outside in the Eagles final presason game on Thursday. Versatility seems to be the name of the game for the Eagles Defense..and Metz may just have a few tricks up his sleeve.
