The list of still available veteran NFL free agents is massive, with potential impact players like J.K. Dobbins, Amari Cooper, Keenan Allen, Nick Chubb, Von Miller and others still in a state of limbo as teams open OTA workouts.
Contenders could still look to free agency to address problem areas on their roster, and the Philadelphia Eagles are a team to keep an eye on at EDGE rusher.
Philly has surprisingly stayed thin at that position, taking a step back this offseason from what was a questionable unit entering 2024. Nolan Smith’s breakout year, and the emergence of rookie Jalyx Hunt, helped the Eagles’ cause during last year’s Super Bowl run, but swapping Josh Sweat and Brandon Graham with Azeez Ojulari and Josh Uche could be playing with fire in 2025.
Despite what has been an extremely cautious and low-budget approach to free agency for Philly since the start of the new league year, Logan Ulrich of NFL Trade Rumors predicts the Eagles will ultimately add Miller this summer to bolster their young and still mostly unproven EDGE rusher group.
“If the Eagles get through camp and realize they need more juice in the room, Miller is a strong potential fit,” Ulrich wrote. “He played for DC Vic Fangio in Denver and knows the defense well. Philadelphia should also remain a quality contender in 2025, giving Miller a chance to chase a ring and augment his Hall of Fame case.”
Philly should definitely be looking at potential pivots at EDGE, but is Miller really their most realistic option? The guess here is a resounding no.
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At 36 years old, Miller doesn’t offer much outside of being a situational pass rushing specialist. The Eagles signed Uche to a one-year, $2 million deal to fill that exact role, so unless the former second-round pick struggles horribly in training camp, they’re probably comfortable rolling with him, at least to start the season.
The Miller-Fangio connection is also being overplayed here. Yes, Fangio coached Miller with the Broncos while he was still in his prime. The Broncos also traded Miller to the Los Angeles Rams during the 2021 season with Fangio still in charge as the head coach. These two were far from an inseparable pair during their time together in The Mile High City.
While still obviously thin at the EDGE rusher position, the Eagles have had success rolling with young players on defense in the recent past. Barring an in-season injury to Smith, Philly is better off leaning into that strategy once again in 2025.
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