The Philadelphia Eagles were dealt an unexpected blow by Za'Darius Smith on Monday that increased their need to add to their pass rush rotation. The team was already low on quality depth on the EDGE, and losing a competent veteran contributor makes things harder for Nick Sirianni and Vic Fangio. Fortunately for them, they may have some new options on the trade market that could give them the boost they are looking for.
Sirianni would be wise to take a look at the bottom of the AFC and give the Titans a call. After a 1-5 start, Tennessee decided to move on from Brian Callahan, which should accelerate their rebuilding process. With the trade deadline only three weeks away, it would behoove the Titans to be sellers so that they can acquire valuable draft capital for the future. Therefore, any veteran with any trade value should be considered to be on the trade block.
Dre'Mont Jones Could Be the Pass Rush Upgrade the Eagles Need
Enter Dre'Mont Jones. The 28-year-old pass rusher signed a one-year, $10 million deal with the Titans in the 2025 offseason and has been a solid contributor for them all season. He has been healthy, durable, and consistent, playing over 68% of the team's defensive snaps, the highest number in the last three years. In these snaps, he has registered a sack, two tackles for loss, and two QB hits. As a result, he has received a 66.0 defensive grade on Pro Football Focus, his highest grade since the 2020 season with the Broncos, placing him as the 53rd-best EDGE in the league among 108 qualified players in the position.
Since Jones hasn't been with the team for very long and he is only on an expiring contract, the Titans should be willing to listen to trade offers instead of letting him walk in free agency. For the Eagles, it gives them a chance to see what the veteran defender can do for the team in the second half of the season and make a determination about his future with the team. This should also lower the asking price for Jones as we approach the trade deadline.
The Eagles currently have Jalyx Hunt, Josh Uche, Azeez Ojulari, and Patrick Johnson as their only healthy pass rushers ahead of Week 7. When Nolan Smith returns from injury, things will fall in place, but there is obviously not enough depth in the rotation, even with Uche and Ojulari playing above expectations so far. Whether it's Jones, another Titans pass rusher like Arden Key, or someone else, the Eagles need to be aggressive in their pursuit of an upgrade.