Daniel

Te'o-Nesheim

Te’o-Nesheim died after a night of heavy drinking, and it was revealed he had alcohol and pills in his system. Brain doctors believe Te’o-Nesheim suffered “approximately 100 concussions, all from contact sports, 10 with loss of consciousness.” He was a third-round pick of the Eagles in 2010.

The No. 86 pick in the 2010 draft failed to make the Eagles’ roster in September after a disappointing rookie season. With underwhelming size and speed, Te’o-Nesheim projects as no more than a situational pass rusher in Tampa.

A third-round bust by the Eagles back in 2010, Te’o-Nesheim is a major downgrade from Clayborn. At just 263 pounds to Clayborn’s 280, Te’o-Nesheim can be exploited in the run game.

That would mean teams would have to give up a first-round pick in order to sign Te’o-Nesheim. He was thrust into the starting lineup at right end in Week 3 after Adrian Clayborn was lost for the season with a knee injury and racked up 40 tackles and four sacks. With LE Michael Bennett slated for free agency, Te’o-Nesheim will compete with Clayborn and Da’Quan Bowers for snaps, but the Bucs need to find some pass rush help.

It’s good business by the Bucs. Te’o-Nesheim posted four sacks last season, but is better suited to a nickel or dime pass-rushing role, and no team is going to try to sign him at the third-round compensation price. Te’o-Nesheim was the 86th pick in the 2010 draft. He’ll be a solid bet for a roster spot in Tampa.

Te’o-Nesheim was thrust into the starting lineup at right end in Week 3 after Adrian Clayborn’s season-ending ACL tear, and the soon-to-be 26-year-old went on to rack up 40 tackles and four sacks. He’s best suited for a reserve role.

It could just be a motivational ploy from frustrated coach Greg Schiano, but either way, Bowers took the hint. “Of course that will push me,’’ Bowers said. “If that’s his way of pushing me, I acknowledge that and I’m trying to do something about it.” Bowers is long on talent, but seemingly short on a lot of other things. The Bucs’ pass rush will be in trouble if he doesn’t take a step forward.

A four-year starter in the Pac-10, Te’o-Nesheim was a productive college pass rusher with underwhelming size and speed numbers. Though he’s a try-hard player, Te’o-Nesheim will struggle against NFL tackles. He’ll start out on special teams for the Eagles.

It’s Darren Howard’s old role. At 6'3/263, Te’o-Nesheim would be too small for a defensive tackle in most schemes, but the Eagles are willing to use undersized rushers on the interior. We’d expect a marginal year-one impact.

An undersized if explosive pass rusher, Te’o-Nesheim led the Washington Huskies in sacks (11) and fumble recoveries (2) last season while popping loose an impressive five forced fumbles. In Philadelphia, Te’o-Nesheim is ticketed for inside blitzing duties in the nickel. It’s Darren Howard’s old role.