The Philadelphia Eagles will look to repeat as Super Bowl champions in 2025, but the team still has some needs that could be addressed, including edge rusher.
Philadelphia lost Josh Sweat to the Arizona Cardinals in free agency and Brandon Graham to retirement, so the pass-rushing group will look different this year. Though they did sign Azeez Ojulari to pair with Nolan Smith Jr. and Bryce Huff, the Eagles need more help on the defensive line, which is why Pro Football Network's Richard Janvrin believes general manager Howie Roseman should sign free-agent edge rusher Za'Darius Smith.
"The Eagles' depth chart is a bit stuffed, especially after drafting Ty Robinson, but Smith in a rotation would provide the Eagles with even more pass rush," Janvrin wrote.
Smith was released by the Detroit Lions before the start of free agency. The veteran did have a solid 2024 campaign, totaling nine sacks and 63 quarterback pressures in 17 games.
Smith was traded to Detroit from the Cleveland Browns during last year's trade deadline and saved the team's pass rush after Aidan Hutchinson went down with a season-ending leg injury in Week 6.
Though the Eagles may be comfortable with their edge rusher room, signing Smith does no harm. The 32-year-old will be incredibly cheap to sign and post adequate production in a rotational role for Vic Fangio's defense. Additionally, the Kentucky product will bring valuable leadership and experience to a defense that did lose a vocal leader in Graham.
There's no such thing as having too many capable pass rushers. Philadelphia's elite front seven was a pivotal piece to their Super Bowl-winning squad in 2024, so they should look to replicate that formula once again and add Za'Darius Smith to the edge rusher group.
MORE DETROIT LIONS NEWS
Lions record predictions see Detroit taking enormous step back in 2025
Aidan Hutchinson could prevent Lions from trading for Trey Hendrickson