We’re getting close to Eagles training camp 2025 so we’re taking a look at some notable camp competitions.
The Eagles this offseason lost Josh Sweat to free agency, Brandon Graham to retirement and then they traded Bryce Huff to the 49ers after one disappointing season.
This is going to be a new-look edge rusher group in 2025. The one thing we know is that Nolan Smith returns in Year 3 as the No. 1 player at the position. He had a somewhat slow start to his career but really turned it on after the bye week last year with 10 1/2 sacks in his final 16 games (including the playoffs).
But after that? There are a bunch of players fighting for roles and roster spots.
Here are the candidates:
Jalyx Hunt
Age: 24
Experience: Year 2
Size: 6-3, 252
The 2024 third-round pick is likely going to be the other starter opposite Smith. While there’s some projection involved with Hunt, his ceiling is limitless and he showed immense growth as a rookie. He had 1 1/2 sacks the entire regular season and then had another 1 1/2 in four playoff games. The Houston Christian product began his rookie season as a healthy scratch in São Paulo and ended up being a difference-maker in Super Bowl LIX. This offseason, Lane Johnson said Hunt put on some weight and looked good. It’ll be exciting to see what Hunt can do in Year 2.
Azeez Ojulari
Age: 25
Experience: Year 5
Size: 6-3, 240
The Eagles this offseason mostly played the compensatory pick game but were willing to have one canceled out to sign Ojulari to a one-year deal. That makes him their most significant free agent signing of the offseason. Ojulari has been productive in his four-year NFL career with 22 sacks in 46 career games. But he has also struggled to stay healthy. After playing a full season as a rookie in 2021, Ojulari has played 29 of 51 games over the past three seasons. If Ojulari can stay healthy, he should factor in as a key member of the Eagles’ rotation.
Josh Uche
Age: 26
Experience: Year 6
Size: 6-1, 240
Another veteran free agent signing on a one-year deal, Uche spent the first 4 1/2 years of his career in New England before getting traded to the Chiefs last season. Uche was a healthy scratch against the Eagles in Super Bowl LIX. Uche’s best season came in 2022 when he had 11 1/2 sacks with the Patriots in 15 games. But he has just nine total sacks outside of that year. Johnson gave Uche a shoutout in the spring, which seemed notable.
Antwaun Powell-Ryland
Age: 23
Experience: Rookie
Size: 6-3, 258
The Eagles used a sixth-round pick to take APR out of Virginia Tech in April. Powell-Ryland was extremely productive in college and had 25 1/2 sacks over his final two seasons. But as a sixth-round pick, he’ll need to make the team as a backup and special teams contributor before eventually cracking the rotation.
Patrick Johnson
Age: 27
Experience: Year 5
Size: 6-2, 248
The Eagles lost Johnson early last season when they tried to sneak him through waivers to the practice squad and he was claimed by the Giants. Johnson is back this offseason. Johnson hasn’t played significant defensive snaps since his rookie year in 2021 but has been a big-time special teams contributor with 1,155 snaps in four years.
K.J. Henry
Age: 26
Experience: Year 3
Size: 6-4, 255
Henry was drafted by the Commanders in the fifth round out of Clemson in 2023 and has played for the Commanders, Bengals and Cowboys. Henry has 2 1/2 sacks in 14 career games. He signed to the Eagles’ practice squad in November.
Ochaun Mathis
Age: 25
Experience: Year 3
Size: 6-5, 250
Mathis was drafted by the Rams in the sixth round out of Nebraska in 2023 and has played in games for the Rams, Patriots and one game for the Eagles in 2024. Mathis has played in 14 career games and hasn’t yet had his first sack. At Nebraska and TCU, Mathis had 19 sacks and 35 1/2 TFLs.
Outlook
The Eagles should be very excited about Smith and Hunt. They both showed incredible growth in 2024 and should be even better in 2025. But it’s fair to question if the Eagles have enough at this position, especially because it’s hard to know exactly what they’re going to get out of the two free agent pickups. It seems like if the Eagles were to add another veteran, it could be an edge rusher to bolster this group.
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