Falcons Roster Review: Philip Wheeler, surprising linebacker

Every now and then, a team will make a canny midseason acquisition that improves the team, despite the odds against finding someone capable midway through the year. Philip Wheeler wasn't fantastic, but after joining the team seven games through the 2015 season, he made his mark nonetheless.

Wheeler is not as speedy as he was when he was younger, but he's still one of the team's fastest linebackers, and that added a needed element to the Falcons' defense. It's little surprise that the team may be interested in bringing Wheeler back.

2015 Season

Wheeler was a player I always liked, but considering he was a street free agent who fared terribly in Miami, it was a bit odd to see the Falcons' interested in him. But Wheeler wound up with 29 tackles, a sack, and some special teams value before all was said and done, which was more than we had a right to expect.

2016 Contract

Wheeler is a free agent, as you might have expected.

2016 Outlook

Wheeler seems likely to re-join a crowded linebacker depth chart, and while he's certainly not going to be a starter unless there's injury, he can provide value for a team that doesn't have a ton of talented linebackers. Expect him back.