Philadelphia has always valued defensive line talent above all else.
Eagles general manager Howie Roseman has made it a yearly tradition to fortify the front, keeping one of the league’s deepest and most dynamic defensive line rotations intact.
As the 2026 NFL Draft pre-draft process begins to ramp up, there’s a new wave of edge talent that fits the Eagles’ mold -- length, twitch, motor, and versatility.
Here are three pass rushers, one from each day of the draft, that Eagles fans should start to get familiar with.
Day One: Joshua Josephs, EDGE, Tennessee
Josephs looks like the next in line for the Eagles’ edge pipeline. At Tennessee, he’s been a breakout force, ranking inside the top 15 nationally among all edge defenders in pressure rate through nine weeks.
He’s explosive off the snap, with excellent pop in his hands and a refined pass-rush arsenal that shows advanced polish for his age. Josephs can line up with his hand in the dirt or play from a stand-up role on the perimeter, giving Vic Fangio flexibility in both even and odd fronts, as well.
Philadelphia’s defense, featuring young ascending players like Nolan Smith and Jalyx Hunt, would benefit from another edge with that type of juice.
Day Two: R Mason Thomas, EDGE, Oklahoma
At 6-foot-2, 250 pounds, Thomas might not hit the ideal size metrics scouts love, but turn on the film and you see power, flexibility, and relentless effort.
He’s become one of the centerpieces of Brent Venables’ Oklahoma defense -- a system that demands discipline, physicality, and intelligence from its edge players. Thomas already plays in all three phases, holding up well against the run while showing the bend and torque to threaten the edge as a pass rusher.
His best football still lies ahead, but the foundation is strong: violent hands, excellent leverage, and an instinctive feel for attacking angles.
For the Eagles, who have long blended young athleticism with power and strength across their defensive front, Thomas could be the type of high-upside rotational player who develops into a long-term starter.
Day Three: Mikhail Kamara, EDGE, Indiana
If the Eagles want to find a late-round gem, Kamara from Indiana checks all the boxes. A standout in the Big Ten after following HC Curt Cignetti over from James Madison, Kamara has remained one of the most overlooked defenders nationally.
He could have declared for last year’s draft and likely been selected, but returning to play under Cignetti has only boosted his stock.
Kamara thrives as both a run defender and in attacking signal-callers. His compact frame gives him natural leverage at the point of attack, and his production over multiple years (161 career pressures) fits exactly what Philadelphia covets in its mid-to-late-round prospects: proven, experienced, and consistent.
Read more: From Ivy League to EDGE: Jalyx Hunt’s rapid rise in Year 2 with Eagles
In a league built on disrupting timing and collapsing pockets, the Eagles’ investment in edge talent is their blueprint for sustainability. Whether it’s the upside of Josephs, the all-around polish of Thomas, or the seasoned production of Kamara, Philadelphia’s front office will have no shortage of options to keep its pass rush among the NFL’s elite.