Eagles receive most unsurprising ranking with defensive line imaginable

Usually, when a rankings article comes out, it's about what's wrong with it, but rarely is a reaction piece about how they got it right. Pro Football Focus appears to be on point with the defensive line ranking for the Philadelphia Eagles.

PFF writer Zoltán Buday ranked every defensive line group in the NFL, with the Eagles making it at number two, just behind the Pittsburgh Steelers. Buday points out that despite the losses in free agency, they remain strong on the line.

"Philadelphia's defensive line was arguably the deepest in the league last season. As a result, even after the departures of Josh Sweat and Milton Williams in free agency, the unit remains one of the best in the NFL.

On plays without a blitz in 2024, the Eagles generated pressure 36% of the time, which was the fifth-highest rate in the NFL. Jalen Carter’s 84.4 PFF pass-rush grade ranked fourth among interior defenders, and Moro Ojomo’s 82.4 figure placed sixth at the position."

Not surprising to hear how elite Eagles' defensive line is

Any Eagles fan could have told the media how good the line is. With Jordan Davis, Carter, and Ojomo as the projected starters, the defensive line looks to be in great shape for the regular season.

PFF has already praised this line throughout the offseason, as they put all three defensive linemen in their top 32 individual linemen in the NFL. Carter was fifth, Davis was 28th, and Ojomo was 32nd.

The edge rushers haven't been mentioned, even with some in the media questioning the position. Sweat is gone, but Nolan Smith Jr. is ready to take the top spot in 2025 after his 6.5 sacks a season ago. Jalyx Hunt appears to be the other projected starter after the departure of Bryce Huff.

This is a defensive line that was middle of the road in sacks, ranking 15th in the NFL with 41, but they knew how to generate pressure. They were also 10th in the league in run defense, allowing 104.2 yards per game.

Last year's number one defense has many strengths, despite the numerous questions surrounding the loss of several key players. The thing the league should be worried about is how good this defense is about to be for a long time thanks to the youth of the defense.