Moro Ojomo
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Philadelphia Eagles defensive lineman Moro Ojomo.
After Milton Williams turned the game of his life in Super Bowl LIX into a $104 million contract with the New England Patriots this offseason, many could wonder who the next man up will be along the interior of the defensive line to replace his production.
Well, one NFL analyst believes there is a leading candidate to have a breakout season along the Philadelphia Eagles‘ front four unit in 2025.
Eagles DT Moro Ojomo Named Team’s ‘X Factor’ Entering the 2025 NFL Season
Benjamin Solak of ESPN acknowledged that Milton Williams had a breakout year, but that Eagles DT Moro Ojomo flew under the radar with a solid 2024 campaign — which makes him a strong candidate to be the X factor for this Philadelphia defense in 2025.
“Many next-guy-up options were available here. Edge rushers Nolan Smith Jr. and Jalyx Hunt must replace the lost snaps of Josh Sweat and Brandon Graham, while guard Tyler Steen must step into Mekhi Becton’s shoes. But I chose Ojomo, who has to replace the outgoing Milton Williams at defensive tackle, because Ojomo has the best chance to become a sudden star,” wrote Solak. “Ojomo is fresh off his best NFL season, which went underreported behind the career year from Williams. Ojomo’s game is better against the run, and while he had solid pressure production (9.3% pressure rate on 248 pass rushes as compared with Williams’ 12.9% on 271 rushes), Ojomo did not bring down the quarterback (zero sacks as compared with Williams’ five).”
On paper, Ojomo’s 20 total tackles with no sacks and no forced fumbles didn’t have a huge impact according to the box score. Yet, Solak touches on his film telling a compelling enough story that the Eagles didn’t address the loss of Williams in free agency in a meaningful way this offseason.
Solak added, “But Ojomo’s film was enough that the Eagles made almost no additions behind him on the depth chart, only bringing in fourth-round rookie Ty Robinson. That implies Ojomo will get all of Williams’ third-and-long opportunities beside Jalen Carter. If Ojomo can turn his pressures into sacks at a league-average rate, expect him to start getting the same hype Williams did last season.”
Ojomo was understandably buried on the depth chart behind the aforementioned Williams, Jalen Carter, and Jordan Davis along the interior of the defensive line. But an expanded role in year three could give Ojomo a chance to emerge as an impact player in 2025.
How Will the Losses on the Defense This Offseason Impact This Unit in 2025?
Milton Williams wasn’t the only quality player the Eagles lost this offseason. Darius Slay, C.J. Gardner-Johnson, and Josh Sweat all finding new homes ahead of the upcoming year. These losses could lead to an adjustment period early in the season while these new parts all gel together in defensive coordinator Vic Fangio’s scheme.
In true Howie Roseman form, the Eagles reloaded defensively by landing prospects like Jihaad Campbell, Andrew Mukuba, and Ty Robinson in the 2025 NFL Draft.
The Eagles have one of the youngest defenses in the league and still managed to play at an elite level in 2025. Even with the departures, the Eagles don’t appear to be entering the season with any glaring weaknesses on the defensive side of the football.