One of the biggest strengths of the Philadelphia Eagles during their championship run last season was their defensive line. With Milton Williams, Jalen Carter, and Jordan Davis leading the way, the Eagles were able to pressure Patrick Mahomes and defeat the Kansas City Chiefs in the Super Bowl.
While Williams and edge rusher Josh Sweat left in free agency, the Eagles’ cupboard is well-stocked in the trenches heading into next season. But general manager Howie Roseman is always looking for ways to evolve, and the next step could come during the 2025 NFL Draft.
With a crop of talented defensive linemen available, it could be tempting enough for Roseman to pull the trigger. That could make one of the cornerstones of the defensive line expendable once the draft concludes and gives Philadelphia an interesting trade chip in the coming weeks.
Eagles Could Look Into Trading Jordan Davis During NFL Draft
Davis is the one Eagle that could become expendable going into this year’s draft. A first-round pick in 2022, the 25-year-old has been a serviceable member in the trenches, appearing in 47 games and making 39 starts. The Georgia product had his best season in 2023, making 45 total tackles with 2.5 sacks, but his play dropped off in Vic Fangio’s scheme, with 27 total tackles and one sack.
Fangio may have had a different role for Davis compared to his first two seasons under Jonathan Gannon (2022) and Sean Desai (2023). But his role as a rotational player with 444 total snaps suggests the Eagles may not be willing to pick up his fifth-year option or negotiate a second contract as he enters the final year of his rookie contract.
This is where things get interesting. Williams was more productive (54 pressures and five sacks) and became the top defensive lineman in this year’s free agent class, but the Eagles weren’t willing to pay him, allowing the New England Patriots to sign him to a four-year, $104 million contract. Davis could get to that point with a big 2025 season, however, and leave Philadelphia in a similar situation.
In the case of Williams, the Eagles are projected to get a 2026 third-round pick according to Over The Cap’s compensatory tracker. But they can be proactive if they know they’re not going to trade Davis and get something in return.
This would benefit the Eagles in a few ways. First, Roseman could add to the eight picks he has in this year’s draft, allowing him to move up and down the board to get the players he wants. It could also allow the Eagles to select a prospect from this year’s class, which has seven interior defenders ranked in the top 50 on Pro Football Focus’s big board.
Finding a younger and cheaper alternative in the long run could help the Eagles continue to shuffle their deck ahead of next season and leave Davis looking for a new home, whether it be during the draft or after his rookie deal expires.