As the Saints make changes to their defensive tackle group, another contributor will depart. The Eagles agreed to terms with veteran Kentavius Street on Thursday, per the team. It is a one-year deal.
Street, 26, has settled into a backup role in recent years, but the North Carolina State alum has made interesting contributions in New Orleans and San Francisco in that span. The Eagles will see what the experienced pass rusher can do in Sean Desai‘s defense.
Injuries, most notably the ACL tear suffered during a pre-draft workout five years ago, limited Street early in his career. But the former fourth-round pick has played 17 games in each of the past two seasons. After a three-sack finale in San Francisco, Street totaled 3.5 as a New Orleans backup last season. The 287-pound defender tallied a career-high eight QB hits with the Saints and has combined to total 11 tackles for loss over the past two seasons. Street played a career-most 518 defensive snaps last season.
Playing on a Wolfpack defensive line that housed Bradley Chubb, B.J. Hill and Justin Jones, Street was viewed as a Day 2 draft prospect before the March 2018 ACL tear. His college years offered a preview of NFL versatility; Street played full seasons as both a defensive tackle and defensive end. After beginning his NFL career as a 49ers D-end, Street primarily played inside with the Saints, who have lost he and David Onyemata this offseason. New Orleans, however, has added Nathan Shepherd and Khalen Saunders in free agency.
The Eagles, who lost Javon Hargrave to a monster 49ers deal, will likely view Street as a second-stringer capable of likes of Fletcher Cox and Jordan Davis. But the team still has Milton Williams and Marlon Tuipulotu at D-tackle. Street’s ability to play inside and outside stands to serve him well in an attempt to crack Philly’s two-deep. Robert Quinn is out of the picture at present, after the Eagles redid his contract post-trade. That transaction removed 2024 from the edge rusher’s deal.
another decent depth signing by Sir Howie! I won’t lie, I hate all these 1yr deals cause if they have a good/ big year your gonna have to try to resign them for a lot more. That’s why we have to do the same thing every single off-season. With that said I do think this is a good depth signing that can’t hurt cause I’m sure it can’t be for more then $2mil or so
They have a lot of draft capital coming up so these contracts bridge the gap until the young guys are ready. Also these guys are hungry to prove their worth to earn a new contract in 2024 and maybe they’ll be worth resigning.
It’s the best way to add depth to an already talented roster. You get guys that are willing to play for a high profile team for a relatively cheap one year deal, in the hopes of some team giving them a multi year deal after. In return, your team gets to add a talented depth piece for cheap to help rotate in and out, keep your starters fresh, and/or to help your overall depth in case you suffer an injury.
The 49ers have been doing it for a couple years now, filling out their roster by taking gambles on cheap depth signings or former first rounders that didnt quite live up to their draft pedigree, but then they play well on a contending team and some other team comes and overpays for them when their deal is up.
It is a bummer watching them leave and getting priced out of what your team can afford, but you just have to trust your coaches and your GM that they’ll be able to.find another cheap diamond that just needs some polishing around the edges.
Every team is going to have to make some tough decisions and let some of their stars go, but along with drafting well ahead of needs, this helps contending teams stay competitive year after year. This also allows your team to typically pay more of their homegrown stars, pr go put and get that extra free agent they might need that doesn’t come so cheap.
BALL OUT FOR FUTURE COMP PICKS!!!!!!
GO BIRDS! GO HOWIE!
Watched him heavily when he was drafted. As a Niners fan we buy into a lot of injured players because of the comeback story. Street was no different. He turned his rookie contract years into enough to catch the eyes of others. We all saw something over here in SF. Not sure he’s actually hit his ceiling