Edge Funds

Presided over by legendary defensive mind Vic Fangio, the 2025 Eagles defense has a number of new faces stepping into prominent roles – including starting ones. As such, the young nucleus and the depth beyond will be tested, which bears monitoring throughout the summer.

But as it pertains to the EDGE position, the Eagles must make up for the free agent loss of Josh Sweat. Young risers, such as Nolan Smith and Jalyx Hunt, appeared primed to seize their opportunities, while a pair of veteran free agent additions are expecting to round out the rotation. There’s also an intriguing late-round rookie and veteran special teams ace in contention for a depth slot. Do they have enough at the position? We’ll find out soon enough, but I think they do.

GETTY IMAGES: The future of the Eagles’ edge rush is now for third-year pro Nolan Smith and second-year pro Jalyx Hunt.

With a host of new faces on the roster, and with competition in key areas at play, now is the time to begin brushing up on the various position groups.

Our position preview series continues with a comprehensive look at a recently restocked EDGE room.

Nolan Smith

Returning from a torn triceps suffered in Super Bowl LIX, Smith headlines the Eagles’ pass rush contingent entering this third season. The Georgia product last season collected 6.5 sacks and 11 quarterback hits playing more than 55% of the defensive snaps. He added another four during the postseason run. That Smith took such a notable leap within the past year suggests he’s only getting started. Bringing attitude, toughness, athleticism and leadership to the Fangio-led defense, Smith has become a player too talented to leave the field. He has double-digit sack potential.

Jalyx Hunt

Hunt’s rapid progression last season as a third-round pick out of Houston Christian has thrust the 24-year-old into the driver’s seat of a starting role. Hunt, who played 241 regular-season snaps as a rookie, picked up 1.5 sacks and equaled his total in the postseason. It was evident throughout the season that Hunt had a more refined pass-rush plan and was developing a broader rolodex of moves. He was flying to the football and playing with urgency against the run. Hunt always flashed in his opportunities. The second-year pro has been tasked this offseason with increasing his weight and has made strengthening his lower body a priority. Hunt is my pick for the Eagles’ defensive breakout player.

Azeez Ojulari

Signed to a one-year prove-it deal back in March, Ojulari brings with him four years of NFL experience, appearing in 46 games (30 starts) over that span. Ojulari, a second-round pick of the Giants in 2021, has registered 22 career sacks. Health and consistency will be determining factors in cementing his place in the pecking order, but as things currently stand, Ojulari projects to fill a pivotal role as the team’s No. 3 edge rusher. The Ojulari signing, in my opinion, will prove to be the Eagles’ best offseason signing.

Joshua Uche

Uche joined the Eagles in March, inking a one-year deal for an opportunity to generate production in a situational capacity. The 26-year-old Uche is a bit enigmatic, however, accumulating 11.5 sacks in 2022 and combining for five more in the years since. Still, Uche adds some juice as a pass-rusher and figures to slot behind Ojulari, furnishing a young room with experienced depth pieces. But Uche’s career has been anything but consistent to this point – and it’s unclear just how he’ll fit into Fangio’s defense. He must seize this opportunity to revive his career.

Antwuan Powell-Ryland

Drafted in the sixth round in April, Powell-Ryland combined for 25.5 sacks over his final two collegiate seasons. Powell-Ryland, who began his career at Florida before transferring to Virginia Tech, doesn’t boast a prototypical frame for the position (6-3, 258), but possesses heavy, violent hands, plays with leverage and brings juice off the edge. He will be pushed, but the Eagles invested a pick in Powell-Ryland. He’ll get his opportunities in practice and should play quite a bit during the preseason.

Patrick Johnson

A seventh-round pick in 2021, Johnson returns for his fifth summer in Philadelphia. Johnson, who made noticeable strides as a pass-rusher last summer, made the Eagles’ 53-man roster, but was waived in September. The Giants were awarded Johnson, who appeared in 12 games. But it wasn’t long before Johnson would reunite with his former team, signing a one-year deal with the Eagles early into free agency. A weapon on special teams, where he’s accumulated 1,729 career snaps, Johnson will not only have to dazzle in his third phase opportunities – he’ll also likely need to take his defensive game to another level if he’s to leap a draft pick like Powell-Ryland.

Ochaun Mathis

A sixth-round pick of the Rams in 2023, Mathis signed to the Eagles’ practice squad late last season. The 26-year-old has appeared in 14 career games – including one last season with the Eagles – and will enter camp with some familiarity with the coaching staff. The 6-foot-5, 260-pound Mathis has a lengthy frame and athletic qualities potentially worth developing, assuming he showcases enough promise in camp.

K.J. Henry

A fifth-round pick of the Washington Commanders in 2023, Henry signed to the Eagles’ practice squad right around Thanksgiving. Henry, 26, has appeared in 14 games (three starts) with three teams. He’s accrued 22 tackles (five for loss), 2.5 sacks and three quarterback hits on defense, while also adding 144 snaps on special teams over that span. Henry would appear to be on level playing field with Mathis, though both find themselves on the outside looking in.

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