After highlighting a dire need for special teams depth throughout the offseason, it seems as though the team wanted to tick that box before the dawn of a Super Bowl defending effort.
The Eagles claimed former Seahawks linebacker D.J Alexander, according to Jeff McLane.
#Eagles claimed LB D.J. Alexander from the Seahawks.
— Jeff McLane (@Jeff_McLane) September 2, 2018
The Eagles had the 32nd priority in the waiver process, but the team obviously feel as though Alexander slipped through the cracks and it’s easy to see why.
Drafted in the fifth-round back in 2015 by the Kansas City Chiefs, Alexander was traded to Seattle in 2017. This does mean that Alexander spent time with Doug Pederson during his time with the Chiefs.
Although his stats don’t jump off the page, notching eight tackles, a forced fumble and a safety in 44 games, Alexander brings plenty of upside to another area; special teams.
After leading the Chiefs with 11 special teams tackles tackles in 2015, he followed up on his rookie success by doing the exact same one year later, earning a pro bowl nod. In his lone season with Seattle, he finished second in that same category. Kamu Grugier-Hill led the team in special teams tackles this year, but the Eagles lost several of their top performers, as aforementioned (minus Corey Graham now).
Alexander is young enough to still develop and grow under both Dave Fipp and Jim Schwartz and will bring a sense of reliability to a unit that has lost it this offseason. The Eagles special teams efforts have long been known as some of the most prolific in the NFL and Alexander’s presence will go a long way in solidifying that reputation for another year.
Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
