During the dead period of the NFL calendar, as we did in 2015 and in 2016, we'll be comparing each of the Eagles' rookies to current or retired NFL players. Today, we'll take a look at fifth-round linebacker Nate Gerry.
In case you missed the first six entries of this series, you can find them here:
• First round: DE Derek Barnett
• Second round: CB Sidney Jones
• Third round: CB Rasul Douglas
• Fourth round: WR Mack Hollins
• Fourth round: RB Donnel Pumphrey
• Fifth round: WR Shelton Gibson
At Nebraska, Gerry was a safety who will convert to linebacker in the pros. Gerry was something of a ball hawk in college, picking off 13 passes his last three years.
The question likely won't be whether or not Gerry can cover well enough at the pro level from his linebacker spot. It will be whether he can hold up physically as a linebacker at 218 pounds. Throughout OTAs and minicamp, Gerry showed good instincts in coverage, as you might expect from a former safety. During OTAs and minicamp, he picked off at least two passes in media-attended practices. He has also put on about 10 pounds since he weighed in at the Combine.
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A player who made a similar transition from safety to linebacker was Cato June, who played safety at Michigan, but was mostly used in the pros as an athletic cover-2 linebacker for the Colts and Buccaneers.
June's and Gerry's measurables are very close:
| Measurable | Nate Gerry | Cato June |
| Height | 6'2 | 6'1 |
| Weight | 218 | 218 |
| 40 yard dash | 4.58 | 4.61 |
Gerry was drafted 184th overall, June 198th overall, both coming from Big Ten schools.
June was a starter in the NFL for five years, picking off 12 passes and breaking up 26 passes during that span. His best season, by far, was 2005, when he picked off five passes, two of which were pick-sixes. That earned him an oddball Pro Bowl berth, although he was not what you would consider a "Pro Bowl player" over the course of his career, as he was not always the best run defender:
Gerry could have a role in the Eagles' defense in sub-package sets, where he can cover tight ends and running backs. Ideally, he will be a more complete player who is not a liability against the run.
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