While significant recent turnover has hit the Philadelphia Eagles on the offensive side of the ball, the defensive unit looks built not only to last, but to bully the opposition once again.
Currently the youngest defense in the league (24.66 years old, average age amongst starters), the returning core was capped last year by surrendering the fifth-fewest points(19.1 ppg., fifth in points allowed), after previously fueling the team's Super Bowl LIX triumph with an utterly dominant display.
Three starters have since moved on, but the talent brought in to replace them could form an even more imposing unit moving forward. Gary Davenport with Bleacher Report broke down his power ranking for the NFL's top 10 defenses, slotting the Eagles in at number five.
"Eagles general manager Howie Roseman stockpiles defensive linemen—the team was in on the Myles Garrett sweepstakes but balked at including star tackle Jalen Carter in the deal. But the team did add veteran edge-rusher Jonathan Greenard in a draft day trade to a room that already included the likes of Jalyx Hunt and Nolan Smith Jr. At linebacker, the team has an in-house replacement for the departed Nakobe Dean in youngster Jihaad Campbell, who will start opposite Zack Baun. The Philadelphia secondary is a strength as well—Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean have rapidly become two of the NFL's top young cornerbacks, and the Eagles signed Riq Woolen away from the Seahawks in free agency. The Eagles did lose a starter at safety in veteran Reed Blankenship, but deep safety Andrew Mukuba is an ascending talent. Philly's defense is easily the class of the NFC East."
Eagles' young defense is ready to feast
A move for Garrett would have been seismic for sure, as Davenport listed the Los Angeles Rams atop his power rankings. Regardless, this Eagles group boasts vast strength in numbers, with each level of the defense presenting challenges for opposing offenses.
While the loss of Phillips at edge initially left the edge group light, the draft weekend move for Jonathan Greenard now ushers in a veteran force, not only in the pass rushing phase but also in run support. Greenard does an excellent job against the run in setting the edge with authority, and a year two leap by Campbell inside, who brings more size to the position than Dean, should also help bolster a much-improved run defense.
In the secondary, the duo of Epps and a fully healthy Mukuba, now entering Year 2, patrols a unit, brandishing a lethal group of corners. Woolen, DeJean, and Mitchell should provide opposing wideouts with minimal breathing room on the perimeter and in the slot, while two more ascending front seven members, Jalyx Hunt and Nolan Smith, will join Greenard at edge.
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With a fully intact defensive line featuring Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis, and Moro Ojomo, this unit has all the ingredients for Vic Fangio to serve up some exquisite defensive dishes this upcoming season.
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