Eagles' defensive depth chart: Projecting the roster ahead of free agency

ASFN Admin

Administrator
Administrator
Moderator
Supporting Member
Joined
May 8, 2002
Posts
1,257,039
Reaction score
59
The Eagles were one and done in the playoffs, but it wasn't all bad for a team that finished the regular season 11- 6 overall. The first back-to-back NFC East Champion since the 2001-04 Eagles (four) over two decades ago, Philadelphia is the only NFL team to repeat as a division winner in 2025. The Eagles have won NFC East crowns in three of the last four seasons (also 2022 and 2024). Philadelphia is one of just two NFL teams with five consecutive postseason berths (tying a team record set from 2000-04), joining Buffalo (seven). The Eagles are also one of only three clubs to have advanced to the playoffs in eight of the previous nine seasons (along with Buffalo and Kansas City), representing the best nine-year stretch in franchise history.

After retooling the offensive coaching staff, the Eagles will decide on 22 free agents and make decisions on contract extensions for quarterback Jalen Hurts, defensive tackle Jalen Carter, and defensive tackle Jordan Davis, among others.

With the Super Bowl now complete and the new league year fast approaching, we're predicting the Eagles' offensive depth chart heading into free agency.

DL: 6​


Starter: Jordan Davis: $12,938,000

Starter: Jalen Carter: $6,938,331

Starter: Moro Ojomo: $3,624,446

Byron Young: $1,523,007

Ty Robinson: $1,263,917

Gabe Hall: $885,000

Edge: 2​


Starter: Jaelan Phillips (free agent)

Starter: Nolan Smith: $3,815,769

Jalyx Hunt: $1,536,282

The Eagles traded a 2026 third-round pick to acquire Phillips, who came to Philadelphia on the final year of his contract. The former Dolphins first-round pick finished with 28 tackles and two sacks in 8 games. Phillips didn't put up all-world sack numbers, but he put pressure on the quarterback, and his 73 were the 9th-best in the NFL according to PFF.Phillips played 819 snaps at edge rusher in 2025, while posting a 77.1 pass rush grade, 20th best in the NFL.

Phillips is essential because, while Jalyx Hunt is an outstanding pass rusher, there's no guarantee he'll develop into an All-Pro, and Nolan Smith's injury history is becoming a concern.

With Phillips in the lineup, the Eagles limited opponents to the league's lowest completion percentage (56.8%), their best since 2008 (54.1%). Philadelphia gave up a league-low 14 passing TDs this year, which were the fewest surrendered by an Eagles defense since 2001 (13). Philadelphia held opponents to the 2nd-lowest passer rating (75.4) in the NFL (Eagles' best mark since 2008, when they allowed a 72.9 passer rating), behind the L.A. Chargers (75.0). The rating included a 58.1 mark on third/ fourth down and a 64.6 mark in the red zone – both 1st in the NFL. Philadelphia ranked 5th in points allowed per game (19.1), trailing only Seattle (17.2), Houston (17.4), Denver (18.3), and New England (18.8).

LB: 6​


Starter: Zack Baun: $7,538,000

Starter: Jihaad Campbell: $3,387,176

Jeremiah Trotter Jr. $1,157,117

Smael Mondon Jr.: $1,103,865

Chance Campbell: $1,030,000

Jose Ramirez: $1,005,000

Ben VanSumeren: RFA

A versatile player with a bright future, Jihaad Campbell played in all 17 games and started 10, logging 80 tackles and one interception to go with a fumble recovery and one forced fumble. Campbell's 76.2 grade from Pro Football Focus was the 13th-best among 88 NFL linebackers, and his presence is the main reason the Eagles can feel comfortable allowing Nakobe Dean to depart in free agency.

CB: 8​


Michael Carter II: $10,120,000

Starter: Quinyon Mitchell: $4,041,299

Starter: Cooper DeJean: $2,531,897

Draft pick

Kelee Ringo: $1,350,232

Ambry Thomas: $1,162,500

Tariq Castro-Fields: $1,145,000

Jakorian Bennett: $1,145,000

Mac McWilliams: $1,116,030

Philadelphia has hit on the cornerback position in NFL drafts recently, and 2026 could present another opportunity to upgrade the cornerback spot opposite Quinyon Mitchell. In 2024, Cooper DeJean was expected to excel, but after an All-Pro season in 2025, he's now the best slot cornerback on the planet after DeJean led all NFL slot cornerbacks in PFF coverage grade (79.3), catch rate allowed (61.4%), passer rating allowed (55.4), and yards allowed per coverage snap (0.72) (min. 350 coverage snaps as a slot CB; min. 50 targets). DeJean has never allowed a passing TD as a slot cornerback. Will Vic Fangio keep DeJean in the slot or expose him to the difficulties of playing on the outside?

S: 4​


Sydney Brown: $1,829,261

Starter: Andrew Mukuba: $1,627,395

Free agent addition

Brandon Johnson: $1,005,000

Andre Sam: $1,005,000

Specialist: 1​


Jake Elliott: $4,893,000

This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: Predicting the Eagles 2026 starting defense ahead of free agency

Continue reading...
 
Top