The 2025 NFL Draft is quickly approaching as free agency has slowed down significantly. While the Philadelphia Eagles have patched a few holes along their roster ahead of the event, there are still several questions remaining that Howie Roseman will have to answer this offseason.
In the latest edition of my Eagles mailbag, I’ll discuss Philadelphia’s underrated weakness at cornerback, potential options at linebacker and how to handle a possible tush push ban.
@EaglesXsandOs asked, “Is CB an under appreciated need for the Eagles?”
Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean have cemented themselves as foundational players at cornerback in Philadelphia. Yet outside of their dynamic duo, the Eagles don’t have much else to rely on moving forward. While many are already crowning Kelee Ringo as a starter, I’m not quite there just yet.
Ringo couldn’t beat out Isaiah Rodgers as the top backup cornerback last season, as he played just 75 total defensive snaps outside of a meaningless game in Week 18. If the Eagles truly thought as highly of Ringo as they said they do, he would have played more in 2024. At the end of the day, actions speak louder than words.
Adoree’ Jackson provides the Eagles with starting experience on the outside, yet his best days are clearly behind him and ideally he wouldn’t start at all. Therefore, I believe the Eagles could (and should) address cornerback in the 2025 NFL Draft. Philadelphia has already hosted Kentucky cornerback Maxwell Hairston on a top 30 visit, who would help form an intriguing starting trio alongside Mitchell and DeJean for years to come.
@JJtheman2007 asked, “Do you think the Eagles need another linebacker and if so, who should they try to get whether it’s draft, trade or signing?”
Linebacker is absolutely a position of need for the Eagles right now. While Zack Baun re-signed to remain in Philadelphia, Oren Burks departed in free agency and Nakobe Dean is recovering from a major knee injury. The Eagles will have to make an addition or two at the position.
The 2025 NFL Draft feels like the perfect opportunity for the Eagles to add another linebacker to their roster. Philadelphia has already shown interest in several linebacker prospects throughout the pre-draft process, including California’s Teddye Buchanan, who could be an ideal target on day three of the event.
@CMPXMV asked, “Last year we only had about Qunyon Mitchell’s top 30 visit basically on draft day. Any chance Howie Roseman is actively hiding top 30 visits or using those as a decoy since his habits are basically well known?”
It feels like there was a shift in Philadelphia’s thinking regarding top 30 visits over the last few years. The Eagles are using these premium interactions for players that they’re truly interested in selecting and they don’t care who knows. The change has resulted in a great success rate for the Eagles, as they’ve hit on several key selections.
While it’s natural for a handful of top 30 visits to remain unknown leading up to the NFL Draft, I’m not sure that it’s done on purpose. These visits often leak in a variety of ways, either through reporters via agents, the players themselves posting pictures on social media, etc.
I don’t believe Roseman is actively hiding any of Philadelphia’s top 30 visits. The Eagles have figured out a successful way to maximize the usage of these limited interactions and now it’s up to the rest of the NFL to figure out how to handle Philadelphia’s plan of attack.
@devinweber796 asked, “Who are some of your “red star” players in this draft?”
Roseman revealed what the Eagles qualify as a “red star” player in 2023, as he stated “that’s a guy who kind of exemplifies what it means to be an Eagle, so it’s great character, captain, testing numbers, intelligence, plays the way it should be played, practices the way it should be played.”
While it’s hard to gauge a player’s character and their practice habits from the outside, there are a few players that I’d passionately go to bat for in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Mason Taylor, TE, LSU: NFL bloodlines, looked smooth in on-field drills at the NFL Combine and complete TE with significant blocking experience
Tate Ratledge, OL, Georgia: Three-year starter with the “dawg mentality” that Nick Sirianni talks about and tested at an elite level athletically
Cobee Bryant, CB, Kansas: Despite weighing just 180 lbs., Bryant plays bigger than he’s listed at and has the alpha mentality needed to succeed at CB in the NFL
Antwaun Powell-Ryland, EDGE, Virginia Tech: “APR” knows how to utilize a pass rush plan with a plethora of initial moves and counters, he also looks to punish players with strong tackles
Teddye Buchanan, LB, California: Ideal combination of size and athleticism at LB with experience playing both off the ball and on the edge, similar to Zack Baun’s role in Philadelphia
@richie60193 asked, “With the report that the tush push ban is gaining traction, how will the Eagles adjust to being on a even playing field?”
I believe that the Eagles will remain on track to succeed in short-yardage situations regardless of what happens with the tush push. Prior to implementing the play, Philadelphia had a ton of success utilizing the standard quarterback sneak.
From 2016 to 2021, Carson Wentz converted 47 of 53 quarterback sneak attempts for a first down. That’s a success rate of 88.7%. Philadelphia’s success rate on the tush push was 81.2% last season.
Therefore, it’s safe to say that Sirianni and the Eagles will likely remain aggressive and successful in short-yardage situations in 2025 and beyond.
Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
