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It now looks more certain than ever that Philadelphia Eagles LB/DE Brandon Graham will go down in the books as just another first-round NFL bust.
Following an injury-plagued and generally disappointing start to his career, Graham finally looked like he was turning a page with the Birds last year, filling in brilliantly for ex-Eagles DE Jason Babin after the former All-Pro was axed midway through the 2012 campaign. Graham racked up a highly impressive 23 total tackles and four sacks in his five games in relief of Babin.
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Unfortunately, in what was supposed to be his prized comeback campaign in 2013, Graham has done absolutely nothing. And when I say nothing; I mean nothing.
Not only did Graham lose his assumed starting spot at defensive end to the combo of DEs Cedric Thornton and Fletcher Cox, but he is now a bonafide backup at outside linebacker to long-time Eagle Trent Cole, and first-year Birds-man LB Connor Barwin. Graham has hardly even seen the field this season, totaling a humiliating two tackles through five games in limited action.
The only chance Graham has at making any sort of impact on this Eagles’ D is if one of their d-ends or linebackers misses time due to injury. Otherwise, the fourth-year, former first-round pick will continue to rot on the bench of one of the league’s worst defenses.
It is common knowledge that defensive linemen are consistently the most bust-worthy NFL athletes, but that doesn’t make Graham’s demise any less embarrassing.
After he was the first defensive end drafted in the 2011 NFL Draft at 13th overall, and a highly-touted professional prospect out of the glorious University of Michigan, Graham is now just one misstep away from being banished from the NFL forever.
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