Eagles’ Graham wouldn’t mind another pass rusher

Brandon Graham is OK with the prospect of the Eagles selecting a pass rusher in the first round of the NFL Draft next week.

If the player personnel executives want suggestions, Graham has Derek Barnett, DeMarcus Walker and Jordan Willis at the top of his list, and fellow Michigan alum Taco Charlton a bit south.

“I like Derek Barnett,” Graham said of the guy who broke the late Reggie White’s sack records at Tennessee. “I’ve been watching him. I’ve been looking at some of his highlights. I like Walker from Florida State. He’s pretty good. He beat us, Michigan, in the bowl game. I like Willis of Kansas State. For me, I think those three are who I’ve been really watching. Those are big guys, they’re relentless and they’re effort guys.”

Graham wouldn’t be shocked if the Eagles went pass rusher or defense in the first round as four defensive starters must be replaced, including end Connor Barwin (released) and tackle Bennie Logan (not re-signed). The Eagles also have openings for two cornerbacks.

“I want them to bring in whoever is going to help us win,” Graham said. “I’ve been here eight years. I want to be a part of something great, and that’s bringing a championship to Philly. And whoever they feel is a fit at that position I’m just ex-

cited to bring them in and welcome them. I want the guy they bring in to help us right away.”

Another part of Graham believes the Eagles have enough pass rushers to get the job done now. He thinks another year in Jim Schwartz’s defensive system should benefit everyone and is awaiting the unanticipated rise of another player or two already on the team.

“I feel like somebody’s that been here, that we’re not thinking about right now is going to step up,” Graham said. “Every year we always find out there’s a guy in Year Two or Year Three that kind of gets it. I’ve been through that. A lot of guys didn’t think I was going to pan out to where I did. It’s all about how hard they work.

“I’m just waiting for that next guy to step up.”

Graham thinks Marcus Smith, who has 4 sacks in three seasons, could be one of those unknown climbers.

Vinny Curry is in the conversation, too. Curry is coming off his least productive season since he was a rookie, as he notched just 2½ sacks last year and was beaten out for a starting job by Graham.

Newly-signed veteran Chris Long will vie with Curry for snaps. Long had 4 sacks with the defending Super Bowl champion New England Patriots.

“Vinny’s been working hard, I can tell just by his body,” Graham said. “He’s looking real lean, he’s looking ready. His mindset is a lot different than last year. He’s going into it with a positive attitude. For him, I think he’s going to make that leap that we’ve all been waiting for and that he’s been waiting for. I’ll be right there to cheer him on and make sure he continues to keep working hard every day.”

Graham led the NFL last season with 78 combined sacks, hurries and quarterback knockdowns according to Stats LLC, earning second-team All-Pro honors. Graham wore down last year — his first starting all 16 games — as four of his 5½ sacks came in his first six games.

“My next step is to make sure I get the quarterback down,” Graham said. “I think I missed a lot of sacks last year. I think for me it’s just making sure I work on my technique a lot better. When I look back on it sometimes when I missed it was just because I wasn’t as violent as I should have been at certain times. And I think it’s just working on my technique and making sure I do what I’m supposed to because the effort is there. It’s really just taking that next step of being a technician.”