Report: Eagles sign veteran edge rusher ahead of training camp

Philadelphia is adding more competition at defensive end.

The Philadelphia Eagles are signing free agent veteran edge rusher Ogbonnia “Ogbo” Okoronkwo (o-BO-ny-uh o-kor-RON-kwo), according to a report from NFL insider Tom Pelissero.

Okoronkwo played college football at Oklahoma before being selected by the Los Angeles Rams with a fifth-round pick (No. 160 overall) in the 2018 NFL Draft. After missing his rookie season due to a foot injury, Okoronkwo logged 4.5 sacks, five TFLs, and 16 quarterback hits in 39 games played over the next three years.

Okoronkwo left LA after their Super Bowl LVI win to join the Houston Texans, where he produced five sacks, nine TFLs, and 11 QB hits in eight starts over 17 games. That performance earned him a three-year, $19 million contract with the Cleveland Browns.

In 30 games played over two seasons with the Browns, Okoronkwo posted 7.5 sacks, 17 TFLs, and 14 QB hits. Cleveland decided to cut him in late June, which our friends over at Dawgs By Nature described as a “surprising move.” More insight from them:

Although it may be seen as a shocking move to some, there was always a possibility that the team could part ways with Ogbo this offseason due to his contract structure. The Browns freed up an extra $3.4 million in cap space by doing so and were able to add multiple other versatile pass rushers this offseason.

Okoronkwo and his attitude will be missed in Northeast Ohio, but it’s safe to say that guys like Joe Tryon-Shoyinka, Mason Graham, and Maliek Collins should help soften the blow from an on-field standpoint, both inside and out.

Okoronkwo now has a new home in Philly. But will the 30-year-old actually make the Eagles’ regular season roster? It’s possible. The Birds aren’t exactly loaded with proven edge rusher talent. The team seemingly has high hopes for 2023 first-round pick Nolan Smith and 2024 third-rounder Jalyx Hunt. Both of them showed exciting potential down the stretch last season. Behind them, though? The Eagles took one-year free agent fliers on Azeez Ojulari and Josh Uche to see if they can contribute to the pass rush rotation. Okoronkwo finds himself in a similar boat to them, though arguably as a lower ceiling and higher floor option.

For what it’s worth, here’s how Okoronkwo finished in Pro Football Focus’s “Pass Rush Productivity” metric each of the last four seasons.

Rams 2021: 25th out of 122
Texans 2022: t-25th out of 126*
Browns 2023: t-55th out of 118
Browns 2024: t-89th out of 119

*For context, Josh Sweat ranked 22nd in 2022.

For what’s expected to be a low cost, it can’t hurt to take a chance on Okoronkwo. Solid signing.

Spider graph via Mockdraftable:

Pre-draft scouting report via NFL.com:

Okoronkwo doesn’t possess the height, weight and length teams usually want on the edge and he doesn’t have the bend or athletic traits to supersede his deficiencies. With that said, he’s solidly built and plays with good aggression and motor. He lacks the physical and athletic traits that would make him a more dangerous NFL rusher, but he flashes some explosiveness and has enough room for improvement that he should develop into a solid NFL backup with eventual starter potential.

Watch his highlights video: