The Philadelphia Eagles have plenty of star power on both sides of the ball going into the 2025 season. Despite losing some key talent from their Super Bowl winning roster in 2024, the Eagles still have enough on the team to be considered a title favorite once again.
With so much All-Pro talent, it's easy to sometimes forget which players are the most important to the organization's success. For example, right tackle Lane Johnson's record on the field is incredible for the team compared to when he is off it.
PhillyVoice's Jimmy Kempski broke down the most important players to the Eagles going into the 2025 season. And while Jalen Hurts topped the list as the team's quarterback, the player who came in second as a non-QB was their best defensive player.
That would be All-Pro defensive tackle Jalen Carter.
"Carter is the Eagles' best defensive player, and he is quickly becoming one of the best players in the NFL," Kempski said. "He faces constant double teams, and yet finds ways to make plays anyway, while allowing his defensive line teammates to capitalize favorable matchups.
"He make everyone's job on the defense easier, and was the key to the Eagles' No. 1 defensive ranking in 2024."
Carter was hand-picked by future Hall-of-Famer Aaron Donald to be his symbolic replacement as the best defensive tackle in the game. So far, while Carter's numbers haven't been exactly what Donald was able to put up, he's still been a highly impactful player. ...
And one that the Eagles defense cannot be without going into the 2025 season.
So long as Carter plays, Philly's defense should remain among the elites - because Carter is so elite.