Few teams absorbed as much high-end veteran talent as the Philadelphia Eagles this offseason.
So it’s a testament that GM Howie Roseman’s roster is still among the deepest and most talent-rich in the NFL.
Pro Football Focus recently updated its strongest and weakest overall position groups following free agency and the 2025 NFL Draft, and the site ranked Philly No. 1 overall in three categories: Offensive line, linebacker and cornerback.
The Eagles have absorbed key losses at each of those spots. Let’s break it down:
Offensive line
Philadelphia needs a new right guard after 2024 starter Mekhi Becton left in free agency to join the Los Angeles Chargers. PFF projects Tyler Steen to step into that spot, but the group is elite across the board with left tackle Jordan Mailata, left guard Landon Dickerson, center Cam Jurgens and right tackle Lane Johnson anchoring the unit.
“Cam Jurgens posted a 65.6 PFF overall grade in his first campaign as Philadelphia’s center,” PFF’s Dalton Wasserman wrote. “They’ll have a competition at right guard, likely between Tyler Steen, Kenyon Green and Matt Pryor. Even if Pryor doesn’t start, he and fellow free-agent acquisition Kendall Lamm are both valuable swingmen. Philadelphia once again has a ton of talent and depth on its offensive line.”
Linebacker
The Eagles addressed their linebacker corps in the draft, landing Alabama star Jihaad Campbell in the first round and supplementing with Georgia’s Smael Mondon in Round 5. The team is preparing for life without starting middle linebacker Nakobe Dean, who tore his patellar tendon during Philly’s wild-card playoff win over the Green Bay Packers on Jan. 12.
Zack Baun is back, however, after his All-Pro season in 2024, and the Eagles have some intriguing young depth pieces in Jeremiah Trotter Jr. and Dallas Gant. “Led by Zack Baun, the NFL’s highest-graded linebacker in 2024, Philadelphia carried the NFL’s highest-graded linebacker unit by a wide margin,” Wasserman wrote. “Nakobe Dean emerged as a legitimate run defender. Dean’s knee injury could be a concern heading into 2025, but the team had the best linebacker in the 2025 draft class, Jihaad Campbell, fall right into their lap.”
Cornerback
Take a bow, GM Howie Roseman.
The Eagles are banking on 2024 breakout rookies Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean in 2025, as the team opted to cut ties with veteran Darius Slay Jr., and also allowed Isaiah Rodgers to leave for a cheap, two-year contract with the Minnesota Vikings in free agency. Philly is actually super unproven outside of Mitchell and DeJean, with veteran Adoree Jackson, third-year pro Kelee Ringo, rookie Mac McWilliams and the undrafted Eli Ricks all in the mix for reps in 2025.
“Cooper DeJean immediately reversed the Eagles’ fortunes in the slot, as his 86.3 PFF overall grade led all qualified cornerbacks,” Wasserman wrote. “First-round pick Quinyon Mitchell wasn’t far behind with a 79.2 PFF coverage grade that tied him for sixth among that same group. They’ll need to find a second outside starter after losing Darius Slay and Isaiah Rodgers in free agency, but Kelee Ringo and Eli Ricks have been developing behind the scenes. The team also brought in Adoree Jackson, whose 82.6 zone PFF coverage grade quietly fits in with Vic Fangio’s scheme.
As for honorable mention? The Eagles probably have an argument at both running back and wide receiver as well, but given all the turnover from their championship roster this offseason, Philly is clearly viewed among the NFL’s most formidable teams once again entering 2025.
