Edge rusher and defensive tackle being the strongest positions in the 2025 NFL Draft is a dream for Eagles general manager Howie Roseman, who likes to build through the trenches.
After losing edge rusher Josh Sweat and defensive tackle Milton Williams in free agency, the Eagles’ defensive line that wrecked Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes in its Super Bowl LIX victory is weaker.
Next season, the Eagles will count on third-year defensive tackle Moro Ojomo and second-year pass rusher Jalyx Hunt — both players thrived in the Eagles’ defensive line rotation this past season — to take on bigger roles.
But solely relying on Hunt and Ojomo to replace the production of Sweat and Williams is risky. And trusting edge rushers Azeez Ojulari and Josh Uche, who both signed one-year deals with the Eagles this offseason, to rejuvenate their careers might not be a smart bet.
Even though Roseman will have to address other needs in the draft, including safety, right guard and cornerback, he should take multiple defensive linemen with their premium picks.
In the 2023 draft, Roseman selected two defensive linemen in the first round — defensive tackle Jalen Carter and edge rusher Nolan Smith — and took Ojomo in round seven. Those three players became key contributors on Philadelphia’s championship defense.
One of the best ways to build upon a strength or to fix a need is to add multiple players at the same position.
Roseman made a dominant defensive line even better by drafting Carter and Smith in 2023 and fixed a weak secondary last offseason by drafting cornerbacks Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean with his first two picks.
This year, Roseman should spend two of his first three picks on defensive linemen to make Philadelphia’s defense elite again next season.
Due to the depth at edge rusher and defensive tackle, good prospects will slip to the Eagles’ first-round pick. Among the players who could fall to No. 32 are edge rushers Donovan Ezeiruaku (Boston College), James Pearce Jr.(Tennessee), Mykel Williams (Georgia) and Shemar Stewart (Texas A&M), and at defensive tackle, Ole Miss star Walter Nolen and Oregon’s Derrick Harmon could also be available.
Ezeiruaku, who is rising up draft boards, earning a first-round projection from many experts, has already taken a 30 visit with the Eagles, according to 94 WIP’s Eliot Shorr-Parks. He is on the smaller side at 248 pounds, which could be a concern for some teams, but Ezeiruaku has 34-inch arms, elite athleticism and an array of pass rush moves. During his final season at Boston College in 2024, the 21-year-old amassed 16.5 sacks and three forced fumbles.
Williams and Stewart have elite physical traits, but they have to develop more pass rush moves. Williams racked up 14 total sacks in three years with the Bulldogs, and Stewart finished with 4.5 total sacks in his three-year career with the Aggies. Eagles defensive ends/outside linebackers coach Jeremiah Washburn could help Williams or Stewart reach their potential.
At the beginning of the year, Pearce was considered a potential top-10 pick, but now he might fall to the late first round.
According to multiple reports this offseason, NFL teams have character concerns about Pearce, and that could be the reason he falls on draft day. NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah did not include Pearce in the first round of his latest mock draft, which is noticeable. Jeremiah predicted the Eagles will select Stewart, who he believes would be a good fit.
“Stewart has offered more disruption than production to this point in his career, but the Eagles made a similar move with Nolan Smith a couple years ago and it has paid off in a big way," Jeremiah wrote.
If the Eagles are comfortable with Pearce’s character, they could land one of this year’s biggest steals. Pearce is explosive, knocks bigger offensive tackles off their feet and can drop back into coverage.
Philadelphia lacks depth at defensive tackle, so they could take Nolen or Harmon over a top edge rusher. Nolen wins with strong hands, and Harmon beats interior offensive linemen with quickness.
On Day 2, the Eagles could target defensive tackles Omarr Norman-Lott (Tennessee) and Alfred Collins (Texas) or edge rushers Braydn Swinson (LSU) and Jared Ivey (Ole Miss), all of whom could be available with their second-round pick. Some options in the third round could include South Carolina edge rusher Kyle Kennard or SMU edge rusher Elijah Roberts, who has a 30 visit scheduled with the Eagles, according to Dallas Cowboys beat reporter Joseph Hoyt.
Eagles third-year defensive tackle Jalen Carter has developed into an All-Pro, and the Eagles need to surround him with more elite players. A couple of rookie defensive linemen could help Philadelphia get back to the Super Bowl next year.
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