Philadelphia Eagles NFL Draft 2025 Positional Needs: Edge Rusher

While I have watched highlights from the Super Bowl every day since it happened, apparently a NEW season of football is still going to start in September. Before that can happen however, each team gets to select a number of former college standouts in the annual NFL Draft (April 24-April 26) which takes place in Green Bay, Wis. this year.

The Philadelphia Eagles will have the last pick in the first round, due to being the defending Super Bowl champs of course, and seven picks in rounds two through five, although Executive VP/GM/Wizard Howie Roseman has been known to make a deal or two on draft weekend.

2025 Picks:

1st round (PHI), No. 32
2nd round (PHI), No. 64
3rd round (PHI), No. 96
4th round (DET), No. 130
5th round (HOU), No. 161
5th round (CLE via DET), No. 164
5th round (WAS), No. 165
5th round (PHI), No. 168

2026 Picks:

1st round (PHI)
2nd round (PHI)
3rd round (PHI)
3rd round (NYJ)
4th round (PHI)
5th round (PHI)
5th round (HOU)
7th round (PHI)

AD

four compensatory picks too (3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th rounds)

Potential Team Needs (2025 free agents in parentheses):

EDGE (Josh Sweat, Brandon Graham)
LB (Zack Baun, Oren Burks, Ben VanSumeren; Nakobe Dean FA in 26)
OG (Mekhi Becton, Fred Johnson)
OT (Jack Driscoll; Darian Kinnard, Brett Toth FAs in 26)
TE (C.J. Uzomah FA; Dallas Goedert, Grant Calcatarra, E.J. Jenkins FA in 26)
CB (Isaiah Rodgers, Avonte Maddox FA; Darius Slay, Tristin McCollum, Eli Ricks, James Bradberry FAs in 26)

RB (Kenneth Gainwell)
IDL (Milton Williams; Jordan Davis, Thomas Booker IV FAs in 26)

Now that a number of free agent decisions have been made, we have a better idea of what the Birds might do during the draft.

The Eagles lost: Sweat (Cardinals), Rodgers (Vikings), Gainwell (Steelers), Williams (Patriots), Slay (Steelers), Burks (Bengals), Becton (Chargers), Maddox (Lions), Johnson (Jaguars), Graham (FA), Bradberry (FA)

The Eagles retained: Baun, VanSumeren

Undecided: Uzomah, Driscoll

AD

The Eagles signed free agents: LG Kenyon Green (Texans), EDGE Joshua Uche (Chiefs), RB A.J. Dillon (Packers), CB Adoree’ Jackson (Giants), LS Charley Hughlett (Browns), TE Harrison Bryant (Raiders), TE Kylen Granson (Colts), EDGE Patrick Johnson (Giants), PR/KR/WR/RB Avery WIlliams (Falcons), EDGE Azeez Ojulari (Giants)

With the way the Birds harassed Kansas City Chiefs star quarterback Patrick Mahomes in the Super Bowl, you’d probably think they were all set at EDGE rusher. Well, with Brandon Graham retiring and Josh Sweat signing with the Cardinals there are certainly some snaps available at the position in 2025.

Nolan Smith will be coming off a serious injury, Bryce Huff was a bit of a disappointment, and then there is some youth (Jalyx Hunt) and free agent signings (Azeez Ojulari; Josh Uche) to round things out. It probably wouldn’t be a crazy idea for Howie Roseman to try and bolster depth with a Day 2 EDGE player.

Let’s take a look at a trio of pass rushers the Eagles could draft this week to help to solidify their defensive line.

(Age listed is “age on first day of the season.” Height and weight is as listed on NFL.com draft profile.)

Princely Umanmielen, Ole Miss, 6-foot-4, 244 pounds, 5th year senior, 23 years old

• lightning quick around the edge and can bend past offensive tackles if they are even a split second late getting set
• graded as “elite” in composite explosion by RAS

Photo by David Rosenblum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

• he was used as a stand-up only pass rusher at Ole Miss, but has experience with his hand in the dirt from his time at Florida
• not particularly useful as a run defender, but he improved over his college career
• more useful than you’d think in pass coverage
• per Mock Draftable, his third most comparable player in terms of measurables is Jalyx Hunt (84.7%), who you may remember from sacking Patrick Mahomes in the Super Bowl back in February as a member of the World Champion Philadelphia Eagles
• you may remember him from Ole Miss’ loss to Florida (his former team) last year when he had to be held back from mixing it up with Gators fans after the game
• 2024 accolades: All-America Second Team (AFCA); All-America Third Team (Phil Steele); All-SEC First Team (coaches, USA Today); All-SEC Second Team (Phil Steele, CFN); CFN SEC Defensive Transfer of the Year
• 2024 stats: 37 tackles (19 solo), 13.5 TFL, 10.5 sacks, 14 QB hurries, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery, 1 touchdown
• Fun fact: originally from Lagos, Nigeria
• The Eagles should draft him in: 3rd round
• BGN’s Jonny Page says: “He’s the perfect fit for the Eagles if they want to add a dangerous pass rusher. He would give the Eagles a potential star as a sub rusher (something Bryce Huff was supposed to provide) but I have a feeling [defensive coordinator Vic] Fangio might hate his competitiveness on film and his physicality against the run is an issue. I would take the chance in the 2nd round, but not before.”

Kyle Kennard, South Carolina, 6-foot-4, 254 pounds, 5th year senior, 23 years old

• similar to Umanmielen, Kennard has NFL-level pass rush skills but will need to work on rounding out his game
• voted as a captain at South Carolina despite only being there for one season
• can be quickly neutralized by larger offensive tackles
• has fairly long arms that he can use to get in passing lanes
• BGN’s Jonny Page says: “I didn’t see enough talent to warrant a Day 2 pick. The Eagles already have some young EDGE talent, and Kennard could be another situational pass-rusher they could look to develop.”
• 2024 accolades: Bronko Nagurski Trophy Winner; SEC Defensive Player of the Year; First Team All-America (AFCA, Walter Camp, FWAA, SI.com, Reese’s Senior Bowl, Phil Steele); Second Team All-America (AP, Sporting News, CBS Sports, ESPN); Third Team All-America (CFN); First Team All-SEC (coaches, AP, USA Today, Phil Steele); Third Team All-SEC (CFN)
• 2024 stats: 28 tackles (8 solo), 15.5 TFL, 11.5 sacks, 10 QB hurries, 3 forced fumbles, 2 fumble recoveries
• Fun facts: has two adorable sons (aged 3 and 1); first South Carolina player to ever win the Nagurski Trophy (nation’s top defender)
• The Eagles should draft him in: 4th round

Tyler Baron, Miami (Fla.), 6-foot-5, 258 pounds, 5th year senior, 23 years old

• good size; very good athleticism
• 4.62 40-yard dash, giving him a 9.52 (out of 10) score based on RAS where he graded out “elite” in composite speed
• played with his hand in the dirt and as a stand-up pass rusher in college, providing solid versatility

Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images

• when he’s dialed in, he’ll chase running backs down across the field for a tackle…
• …the problem being he isn’t always dialed in.
• he has all of the tools to be a productive rotational piece in the NFL, but he’ll need help putting it all together; low risk/high reward Day 3 pick
• 2024 accolades: Honorable Mention All-ACC
• 2024 stats: 38 tackles (18 solo), 11 TFL, 5.5 sacks, 6 QB hurries, 1 forced fumble
• Fun fact: older brother (Woody Baron) has played the last seven years in the CFL
• The Eagles should draft him in: 5th round