Hedging Edges

The Eagles on Monday bolstered their pass rush, inking former Giants edge defender Azeez Ojulari to a one-year deal reportedly worth $4 million, per ESPN.

The signing now gives the Eagles seven former Georgia Bulldogs, all on defense.

Ojulari, 24, appeared in 11 games (five starts) last season for the Giants, producing six sacks and 10 quarterback hits.

Injuries have plagued Ojulari, drafted in the second round in 2021, limiting him to 46 games (30 starts) over four seasons.

If he can stay healthy, he’s a solid signing for an Eagles team light on edge depth, especially at that price.

While the team is likely to add another pass-rusher via April’s draft, presumably one with one of its top two picks, it likely envisions Ojulari as the bookend to third-year pro Nolan Smith.

GETTY IMAGES: Eagles EDGEs Nolan Smith and Jalyx Hunt should see plenty of snaps next season even as the team adds bodies.

Smith, recovering from a torn triceps sustained in Super Bowl LIX, is expected to return in time for the 2025 season and fronts the unit. The ascending defender racked up 6.5 sacks and 11 quarterback hits over 16 games (10 starts).

Jalyx Hunt, the Eagles’ third-round pick from last season, started to come into his own late in the year. When injuries mounted down the stretch, Hunt became the third edge rusher in a three-player rotation.

Hunt’s play speed, confidence and pass-rush approach improved greatly, and the Houston Christian product likely opens training camp as the third edge rusher. Depending on what the Eagles do in the draft, Hunt could conceivably outplay Ojulari for snaps if he continues his rapid rise this offseason.

Josh Uche, signed last week to a modest one-year, prove-it deal, probably slots in at fourth on the depth chart. Undersized and deficient in run defense, Uche is best suited in a situational role with limited pressure and tempered expectations.

Though he has the tools, he’s strongest in obvious passing situations. He’ll need to perform consistently in camp to stick. But for now, he presumably slots in at fourth in the pecking order.

Then there’s the underwhelming Bryce Huff, signed last offseason to a three-year, $51.1 million contract.

A wrist injury, perhaps coupled with a steep schematic learning curve, hindered his 2024 campaign, limiting him to 2.5 sacks and four quarterback hits over 12 games (four starts). He logged just 285 snaps in his first season. For now operating under the assumption that he’ll remain, Huff has nowhere to go but up. And the Eagles believe the story has yet to be written on the almost-27-year-old.

The Eagles are most certainly banking on players like Ojulari and Uche to contribute, but for a relatively barren free-agent market for pass rushers, they’ve adequately furnished the cupboard, swinging for upside. And at this stage, that’s really all you can ask for.

– Andrew DiCecco (@AndrewDiCecco) is a Staff Reporter/Content Producer for InsideTheBirds.com