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)

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

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

• 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 Draftabl