BETHLEHEM, PA. (AP) - The Philadelphia Eagles signed free agent defensive lineman Cullen Jenkins to a five-year contract on Saturday and traded former defensive tackle Brodrick Bunkley to the Cleveland Browns for a fifth-round pick in next year’s draft.
Jenkins is the fifth major acquisition for the Eagles, who signed free agent cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha on Friday.
“This is a guy who we didn’t think we’d have the opportunity to acquire,” Eagles general manager Howie Roseman said. “The way things have worked out here in the past few days, when the opportunity came at us, we jumped on it.”
Jenkins started 66 games in seven seasons with the Green Bay Packers. He had a career-high seven sacks in 11 games with the Super Bowl-champion Packers last year.
Roseman said Jenkins will fill a variety of roles in the Eagles’ newly structured defense under first-year coordinator Juan Castillo. But his main role will be as an inside pass rusher.
“On third-down, he rushes from inside,” Roseman said. “We think he makes a difference in that role. In this defense and in this scheme, it really utilizes all his talents.”
Bunkley was picked 14th overall in the first round of the 2006 draft.
The Eagles also re-signed unrestricted free agent linebacker Akeem Jordan.
Since Thursday the Eagles have added four likely defensive starters in Jenkins, Asomugha, defensive end Jason Babin and cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie. They also signed quarterback Vince Young.
“It’s exciting,” Roseman said. “It’s really exciting to put it all together, and we want to see them out here out on the field and get going.”
Roseman said he’s hearing from agents that their players want to be Eagles.
“People want to come to Philadelphia because of the organization, having Coach (Andy) Reid and having a quarterback like Michael (Vick) and the players we have here,” he said. “I think they’re all great selling points. When you talk to agents, people want to come to Philly.”
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