Keenan

Clayton

Clayton tallied 31 tackles in 14 games last season. The large majority of his snaps in Oakland should come on special teams.

Brian Rolle will stay on the weak side, leaving Akeem Jordan as the odd man out. Chaney will likely give way to Casey Matthews or Keenan Clayton on passing downs, limiting his production in IDP formats. Chaney expects to be recovered from neck surgery by training camp.

Expected to get “more of an opportunity” last season, Clayton instead saw all of four snaps on defense. With the Eagles in the process of revamping their linebacker corps, Clayton will need to turn in an extremely strong preseason to be assured of a roster spot.

A safety at Oklahoma, Clayton’s speed and athleticism should help prevent the kind of fourth-quarter comebacks that have plagued the Eagles. He’ll slot in next to three-down backer Jamar Chaney in pass-heavy situations. Rolle will remain in the “Buffalo” package used for short-yardage and goal-line situations.

A fourth-round pick in 2010, Clayton ended up appearing in only 21 games in two years, and saw just four defensive snaps in 2011. His fourth-round pedigree could lead to a waiver claim, but Clayton won’t be more than a special teamer in 2012.

The recovery timetable for sports hernia surgeries can vary greatly. Clayton won’t be guaranteed to be fully recovered in time for training camp. With the additions of DeMeco Ryans and Mychal Kendricks, his role in nickel packages figures to decrease regardless.

Clayton underwent the surgery in late May, so it wasn’t a given he’d be ready. With DeMeco Ryans and Mychal Kendricks now in tow in Philadelphia, Clayton will need a strong camp and preseason to hold his roster spot.

A fourth-round pick of the Eagles in 2010, Clayton fell out of the league last year. The nickel linebacker is a poor bet to survive final cuts with the Cardinals.

A strong-side linebacker prospect, Clayton converted to “SAM” in Bob Stoops’ defense for his senior year after originally playing safety. At 6'1/221, he projects as a Keith Ellison-type nickel ‘backer with some punch, forcing two fumbles in 2009. Clayton will back up Moise Fokou and play special teams in Philadelphia. He’s not a realistic long-term solution.

Limited to a reserve role in 2010, Jordan tallied just 26 tackles in 16 games. He could beat out Keenan Clayton for the Eagles’ starting weak-side linebacker gig this season, but it’s unlikely he’ll make much of an IDP dent.