The Philadelphia Eagles enter Week 15 riding a nine-game winning streak, and a big reason for their success is a star-studded roster devoid of any major weaknesses.
One position group that has thinned due to the attrition of the NFL regular season, however, is Philly’s group of EDGE defenders.
Bryce Huff and Brandon Graham are both on injured reserve, with Graham’s triceps injury ending his season. With Nolan Smith Jr., Josh Sweat, and rookie Jalyx Hunt healthy and in the mix, and recently-added veteran Charles Harris in reserve, the Eagles should have enough depth for this season’s stretch run. The 2025 offseason is another story, with Graham likely to contemplate retirement and Huff severely underperforming the $51 million contract he signed with Philadelphia last March.
EDGE figures to be on GM Howie Roseman’s radar, whether it be in free agency or the 2025 NFL Draft. Sports Illustrated’s Daniel Flick predicts the team will use a first-round pick to select Ohio State superstar J.T. Tuimoloau. Here was his take on Tuimoloau potentially landing in Philly:
The Eagles have won nine consecutive games in large part due to one of the NFL’s best defenses. Still, Philadelphia could use another piece off the edge, and Tuimoloau has been a first-team All-Big Ten player each of the past three years. Tuimoloau, a 6’5″, 269-pounder, sets a physical edge and should be an early-downs impact player to start his NFL career. He starred for the Buckeyes this season with 11.5 tackles for loss, six sacks, nine quarterback hits and 30 pressures.
Adding Tuimoloau, who has 17 career sacks at Ohio State entering the College Football Playoff, to the mix would make a ton of sense for Roseman and Co.
His presence would make Huff even more expendable, as the Eagles will likely seek exit plans from his current $17 million per year contract. With Graham and impending free agent Sweat also uncertain at this point, it would behoove the team to add a potential game-wrecking EDGE to pair with the ascending Smith Jr.
Tuimoloau has been a steady riser among NFL scouts for years, and likely would have been an early Day 2 pick this past April, had he opted to declare for the draft as a junior. For the Eagles, landing a productive, 21-year-old pass rusher with 51 college games of experience would be a major win.
Philly will have other positional needs to consider on Day 1. There could be a need at right guard, depending on what the team decides to do with Mekhi Becton’s contract. A succession plan to Lane Johnson at right tackle would be a prudent move. Analysts continue to scream “get another receiver” at Roseman, or anyone in the Eagles organization who will listen.
EDGE still projects as the team’s biggest need, and the Eagles could rediscover some of the production lost in the Haason Reddick trade by selecting an imposing force like Tuimoloau.
MORE: Forbes: Cowboys, Commanders, Giants and Eagles make up NFL’s most valuable division
