The Philadelphia Eagles have had so many issues on defense during the 2025 NFL season that they are often hard to keep track of. Of course, Nick Sirianni would have fans believe that recently fired defensive coordinator Vic Fangio is solely to blame. But it only took one game to prove that he’s not.
Sirianni’s quarterback, Jalen Hurts, has been under constant pressure due to a lackluster pass rush, as have the play of the defensive line and the run defense. Coincidentally, Sirianni’s trusted assistant, Jonathan Gannon’s influence lingers in the scheme, yet he has been absolved of any wrongdoing. Go figure.
Sure, the coaching hasn’t been great, and the overall defensive product has been, well, just that: defensive in the worst way. But Philadelphia also has a major talent issue up front, and if they ever want to get this unit off the ground, they’ll need to invest in it heavily this offseason, in both free agency and the NFL Draft.
Eagles promote EDGE Nolan Smith in bombshell depth-chart shakeup
Most analysts have urged the Eagles to chase high-profile free agents or draft picks for the defensive line. Fansided.com’s Alicia de Artola, however, highlighted that Philadelphia is shaking things up internally by boosting Nolan Smith to a starting role in her latest analysis.
“The Eagles could look at outside help here, but let’s be honest: No defense is going to succeed without unleashing their young talent as currently constructed,” de Artola wrote. “So this feels like a good time to elevate a top-of-the-line edge prospect. Ideally, Smith becomes a franchise pass rusher. At worst, he projects as a steady rotational piece. Either way, he’d greatly help Philadelphia.”
There has been a bit of concern about whether Smith can handle a full-time starting role at the NFL level, or if he’d be better suited as a situational pass rusher. Luckily for him, it doesn’t matter how he starts, as he’d practically be a guaranteed upgrade on the Eagles’ defensive line in any capacity.
With Josh Sweat expected to anchor the edge spot for at least a few more years, Smith can either play opposite him and push Bryce Huff into a backup role while he learns the ropes from the veteran, or he can get his feet wet at the professional level by getting a bit more help in sub-packages.
Smith is a powerful player who is a certified quarterback disruptor, and he has found his footing a bit more at the edge position as the year has gone on. He also has incredible instincts for a young player, as he’ll be just 24 years old during this crucial stretch.
At 6-foot-2 and 238 pounds, Smith has drawn comparisons to players like Haason Reddick, Montez Sweat, and Brian Burns, which puts him right on the fringe of being an NFL star edge or versatile linebacker. Again, he’d make an impact in Philadelphia no matter where he lines up.
Only after the Eagles’ defensive line is improved can the rest of the defense follow suit. Promoting Smith might go a long way in that development, as he starred in his early seasons for the Bulldogs, and he could do the same thing again in Philadelphia as a 24-year-old breakout star this winter.