During the 2024 regular season, the Philadelphia Eagles boasted the No. 1 ranked defense in the NFL, finishing with the fewest total yards and passing yards allowed. Behind the stellar play of All-Pros Jalen Carter and Zack Baun, as well as DROY finalists Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean, the Eagles stifled opposing offenses all season.
This included a dominant performance in Super Bowl LIX, in which the Eagles sacked Patrick Mahomes six times and forced three turnovers against the typically mistake-averse quarterback. After an impressive, championship-winning defensive showing against the Chiefs, the Eagles could use this year’s draft class to boost their stingy defensive unit even more.
This upcoming NFL Draft class is deep with impactful defensive linemen and edge rushers — two positions Eagles general manager Howie Roseman covets.
His affinity for investing in Philly’s offensive and defensive line is so renowned, in fact, that Chiefs HC Andy Reid made note of it during Super Bowl LIX media day.
“I’m a Howie Roseman fan,” Reid said, via Roel Ochoa of SB Nation . “I think he does a great job. The way he’s replenished this football team has been something to watch, for sure.”
Roseman said that he learned to emphasize the importance of the offensive and defensive lines from working alongside Reid in Philly early in his career, and Reid said they share that roster-building philosophy.
“He believes in the offensive, defensive line, you start there. If they’re not functioning right, your team’s not functioning right,” Reid said. “That’s the way he’s built that team and you can see that in their strengths.”
Should Roseman stick to his approach of investing heavily in the trenches, he may be rewarded with a talented crop of players in the 2025 NFL Draft.
NFL Network draft guru and former NFL scout Daniel Jeremiah recently released the first edition of his Top 50 prospects of the 2025 NFL Draft. Among the 50 prospects profiled, Jeremiah listed four edge rushers in the Top 20, including the draft class’ top overall player, Abdul Carter. Jeremiah’s Top 20 also included a pair of defensive tackles, highlighting depth along the defensive line in this year’s class.
Although the Eagles won’t be on the board until the last pick of the first round, Philly could still land an impact rookie at the NFL Draft in Green Bay.
Over the past two drafts, Roseman and the Eagles have drafted nine defenders, including five players selected within Rounds 1-3.
Should Philly invest heavily in the defense in the 2025 NFL Draft, Vic Fangio’s unit could be in store for another No.1 finish.
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