7 key Eagles who need to elevate their game in 2025
With Philadelphia's training camp fast approaching, we're looking at seven Eagles who'll need to elevate their games in 2025 for continued team success
The Eagles have one of the best rosters in the NFL with few holes or personnel deficits. Philadelphia suffered several losses in the secondary and defensive line, but managed to improve in the short term, while accumulating potential All-Pro talent in the draft. The first wave of free agency saw Josh Sweat (Cardinals), Milton Williams (Patriots), Kenneth Gainwell (Steelers), Mekhi Becton (Chargers), and Oren Burks (Bengals) all depart. Vic Fangio's defense saw Darius Slay (Steelers), Isaiah Rodgers (Vikings), Avonte Maddox (Lions), and James Bradberry (UFA) all depart a Super Bowl roster.
Nick Sirianni's team will need a mixture of veterans and rookies to step up, and we've identified seven players who need to elevate their games in 2025.
OLB Nolan Smith
Smith is looking to have a Von Miller-type impact for the Eagles in 2025 and attended the Pass Rush Summit this past week. While Jalen Carter has been a star since Day 1, Smith has quietly and intensely carved out a role in the NFL. As a rookie, Smith recorded 18 tackles and 1.0 sacks in 17 regular-season games.
Playing behind Haason Reddick and Brandon Graham, the former Georgia star linebacker didn't play more than eight defensive snaps in a game until Week 12. Smith's coming-out party came during the Eagles' postseason run, when the confident former Georgia star made plays in every game, including the Super Bowl 59 win. In Year 2, he became an every-down contributor for the Eagles, playing 755 snaps in 2024 and grading out better against the run (74.0) than as a pass-rusher (68.3), but still managed to generate 50 pressures according to PFF.
WR Jahan Dotson
The Eagles acquired Dotson from the Commanders last summer in exchange for a 2025 third-round pick, two seventh-round picks for Dotson, and a fifth-round pick. Dotson caught 19 of 33 targets for 216 yards in 17 regular-season games with the Eagles in 2024 after being acquired in a trade from Washington. He also rushed once for 13 yards. Despite his struggles, Dotson played 649 offensive snaps during the regular season for Philadelphia, working as a No. 3 receiver behind A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith.
OL Tyler Steen
The former third-round pick has lost out on the starting right guard job in the last couple of seasons, but the third time can be the charm, mainly while he competes with former first-round pick Kenyon Green.
DB Reed Blankenship
Blankenship has become a critical cog in the Eagles' Super Bowl history, and he's continuing to add honors to his resume. Blankenship logged 78 tackles (52 solo), six pass defenses (including four interceptions), and one fumble recovery in 15 regular-season games in 2024. Blankenship improved during the playoffs, logging 27 tackles (18 solo), one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery during the Eagles ' four-game run to the Super Bowl.
Blankenship signed a one-year, $3.58 million contract extension with the Eagles last April after leading the team in tackles and interceptions.
DT Moro Ojomo
Ojomo finished the 2024 season with 20 total tackles (six solo) in 17 regular-season games, but will have to elevate his game after the departures of Brandon Graham (retired), Bryce Huff (trade), and Milton Williams (Patriots).
Ojomo saw a significant increase in his role in his second season with the Eagles, logging 370 defensive snaps and 70 snaps on special teams.
RB Will Shipley
With Kenneth Gainwell leaving in free agency, Shipley will likely be the primary pass-catching back next year. Barkley and Gainwell didn't miss any time last season, so Shipley's opportunities were limited outside of blowout wins and a meaningless Week 18 game.
Shipley displayed solid hands in that regular-season finale, catching four passes for 35 yards. The former Clemson star running back will battle A.J. Dillon for the backup role behind Saquon Barkley.
DB Sydney Brown
With several looming contract decisions on the horizon, the Eagles traded C.J. Gardner-Johnson to Houston, opening up a void at the safety position. Philadelphia drafted Andrew Mukuba in the second round of April's NFL draft, but third-year safety Sydney Brown sits best positioned to replace Gardner-Johnson in the starting lineup immediately.
Brown is a physical, downhill safety, but he'll need to perform better in coverage and make plays when matched up one-on-one in space. Brown finished the 2024 season with seven total tackles (six solo), adding two passes defensed, one interception, and a forced fumble over 11 regular-season games. The safety missed the first five games of the year with a knee injury, limiting his upside early in the year.
Brown saw his role on defense diminish in his second season with the Eagles, and in 2024, he operated primarily as a special-teams option.
LB Jeremiah Trotter Jr.
The former Clemson star will get the first shot at replacing an injured Nakobe Dean. As a rookie in 2024, Trotter recorded 25 tackles (nine solo), including 0.5 sacks, and one pass defense while appearing in all 17 regular-season games. He added five stops (four solo) across four postseason games.
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