Kony

Ealy

Oakland has the NFL’s weakest pass rush by a considerable margin, but failed former second-round pick Ealy probably won’t fix it. The 26-year-old journeyman has been bounced after recent stints with the Cowboys, Jets, and Patriots.

Ealy spent just a week with the Raiders last month before being waived. His stay should be longer this time. Ealy was a second-round pick by the Panthers in 2014.

There are no surprises here. Signed on Monday, Ealy should be active once he gets up to speed.

Ealy was signed just last week, and he was inactive for last Sunday’s game against the Chargers. It’s not a great look for the defensive end, who has bounced from team to team since being selected in the second round of the 2014 NFL Draft.

The Dolphins need defensive line depth in the worst way after losing William Hayes and Andre Branch to injury. Ealy is still only 26 years old.

Ealy is widely credited for attracting all of the attention from opposing offenses that allowed less-talented teammate Michael Sam to post a high volume of sacks. He’s NFL Network draft analyst Mike Mayock’s No. 2 defensive end prospect, behind only Jadeveon Clowney. Mayock projects Ealy (6'4/273) as a 4-3 left end, not unlike St. Louis’ Chris Long. Long is a bit more athletic, however.

He missed less than a week. The Panthers are counting on Ealy to take another step forward following his five-sack sophomore campaign. He’s markered in as Carolina’s starting right defensive end opposite LE Charles Johnson.

Ealy took a helmet-to-helmet shot at Saturday’s practice session. It was the first time Carolina practiced in full pads since camp opened on Thursday. Ealy is coming off a monster performance in Super Bowl 50 and should have a major pass-rushing role this year if he can shake off his concussion.

Following the retirement of Jared Allen, Ealy is expected to take over at right end. The 2014 second-rounder has had an up-and-down career, but he shined in the Super Bowl with three sacks, an interception, and a forced fumble. If Ealy takes an expected leap this year, he would become an extension candidate next offseason.

Just a couple days after taking a low-cost shot on Dwayne Allen, the Patriots are at it again. With a picked-over market at pass rusher, acquiring a former second-round pick by moving down only eight spots in the draft is another piece of smart business from New England. That said, Ealy has been a below-average player outside of a memorable Super Bowl 50 performance. The Patriots still have work to do on the defensive line.