Eagles' young defensive duo ready for mammoth 2025 (but it's not who you think)

The positive aspect of the 2025 Philadelphia Eagles' defense is its youthfulness and the potential that comes with it. It could also be the scariest part about them.

Philadelphia's young unit already boasts superstars, including Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis, Zack Baun, Nakobe Dean, Quinyon Mitchell, Cooper DeJean, and Reed Blankenship. All the credit needs to go to Eagles general manager Howie Roseman for bringing them in and defensive coordinator Vic Fangio for coaching them up.

The number one defensive unit in the NFL last year now comes into the season with a mix of high expectations and questions on whether they're too young. They need their more inexperienced players to step up in bigger roles and take over. Two of them have been popular picks for potential breakout stars in 2025.

Moro Ojomo and Jalyx Hunt get recognized again as top young players ready for bigger roles

CBS Sports writer Jared Dubin examined each NFL division to identify which young player from each is poised for a larger role in 2025. Dubin decided to pick two from the NFC East, with Moro Ojomo and Jalyx Hunt being selected.

"We're already cheating here by using two players from one team. But Ojomo and Hunt are definitely going to take on increased importance for the Eagles up front after the departures of Milton Williams, Josh Sweat and Bryce Huff, among others. 

Ojomo played 37% of the defensive snaps last season and totaled 20 tackles and five quarterback hits, but he had a strong playoff run with seven tackles, two tackles for loss and a sack. 

Hunt only played 25% of the snaps and had 22 tackles, one tackle for loss and 1.5 sacks during the regular season, then picked up 10 tackles, one tackle for loss and 1.5 sacks (including half a sack in the Super Bowl) in four playoff games. 

They should get up closer to half the defensive snaps or more this season, assuming they're able to handle the increase in responsibility. Knowing how the Eagles develop players up front, they should be up for the challenge."

Ojomo hasn't played much after two seasons, but his little time on the field has already had him recognized by Pro Football Focus as one of the best interior defensive linemen in the NFL. PFF ranked him at 32 in their top 32 best interior defensive linemen list.

Hunt had a stellar postseason, recording 1.5 sacks that helped the Eagles decide to trade Bryce Huff away, thereby opening the starting job up to him. While Josh Uche and Azeez Ojulari still in the picture, Hunt's experience in Fangio's defense gives him an advantage.

Projected starting lineups feature Ojomo and Hunt, despite the two combining for just three years of NFL experience. With Ojomo's ability to stuff the run and Hunt showing great potential off the edge, these two might be the defensive duo everyone should be talking about instead of Carter/Davis or Mitchell/DeJean.

At least, Ojomo and Hunt might be the most crucial defensive duo on the Eagles. Why? They are more unproven, and the Eagles need them to start taking over games to take the pressure off the other defenders.

Philadelphia is taking big chances on young players, but the potential for them to pay off is too great to pass up. Every fan will have their eyes on Ojomo and Hunt in 2025.