By Paul Bowman, Sports Talk Philly Editor 
Many fans were upset with Howie Roseman following the draft. Roseman only selected one defensive player this year and the team’s biggest needs seemed to be linebacker and safety.
The team did get an excellent player in Wisconsin’s TJ Edwards as an undrafted free agent and they did add LJ Fort, but, other than Nigel Bradham, the team lacked any idea of who their starting linebackers would be.
On Friday, the team signed themselves another starter in Zach Brown.
Roster Move: #Eagles have signed LB Zach Brown to a one-year contract.#FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/PKFXroU2io
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) May 3, 2019
Brown has spent time with the Titans, Redskins and Bills. He made the Pro Bowl in 2016 – his only season in Buffalo.
His new deal is reported to be for one-year, $3 millon. While this might be a concern to some fans, Brown was released by the Redskins, so his signing will not count against the compensatory pick formula.
2019 Eagles Compensatory Pick Chart
| QB Nick Foles | Jacksonville Jaguars | $22,000,000 | 3 | ||||
| WR Golden Tate | New York Giants | $9,350,000 | 4 | ||||
| G/C Stefen Wisniewski | Unsigned | – | – | ||||
| RB Jay Ajayi | Unsigned | – | – | ||||
| WR Mike Wallace | Unsigned | – | – | ||||
As for Brown, he should be a productive player in Jim Schwartz’s defense as he will be allowed to use his aggresive nature, much like Nigel Bradham.
If you place any stock in Pro Football Focus, you’ll be happy to note that Brown was rated as the third-best linebacker in 2018, according to the site. And he was suffering from an oblique injury throughout the season.
Over his seven seasons in the league, Brown has compiled 632, seven interceptions (two of which he returned for touchdowns), six forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries and 17.5 sacks. Add his 20 career defensed passes and the fact that he allowed only 27 catches on 347 coverage snaps last season, and he looks to be the type of player who can do it all behind the Eagles massive defensive line.
Brown figures to be the type of player the Eagles re-sign should he work out the way they hope, much like they did with Nigel Bradham.
