Somewhat surprisingly, the Philadelphia Eagles passed on the top EDGE prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft.
The only selection the Eagles made on a true exterior pass rusher was Virginia Tech’s Antwaun Powell-Ryland at pick No. 209 overall in the sixth round.
GM Howie Roseman added some veteran depth, however, by signing both Azeez Ojulari and Josh Uche in free agency. The Eagles continued to add competition on Wednesday, extending a rookie minicamp invite to undrafted North Carolina pass rusher Kaimon Rucker.
None of this is great news for Bryce Huff, Philly’s $17 million per year EDGE who got off to a brutal start in Philadelphia in 2024.
Still among the team’s highest-paid defensive players (he was No. 1 prior to Zack Baun’s extension), Huff’s future with the Eagles remains questionable at best. His trade market is likely in the cellar thanks to his poor 2024 production and brutal contract, and the Eagles can’t really justify releasing him financially until after this upcoming 2025 season.
While the Eagles passed on some of the projected top EDGE targets in the draft, like Boston College star Donovan Ezeiruaku and Tennessee’s James Pearce Jr., they did take an intriguing talent in Alabama’s Jihaad Campbell with the 31st overall pick. Campbell profiles as an off-ball linebacker in the NFL, but with Baun manning that position at an All-Pro level, there figures to be plenty of buzz surrounding Campbell and a potential move to EDGE rusher during training camp.
Again, Huff had a rough debut season with the Eagles, and it had little to do with his mid-season wrist injury. He was struggling to stay on the field on early downs at the start of the season, and wound up getting passed on the depth chart by rookie Jalyx Hunt in the playoffs. Huff was a healthy scratch in Super Bowl LIX, as the team gambled on Brandon Graham’s recently torn triceps over the former free agent they signed to a three-year, $51 million contract in March of 2024.
The money aside, defensive coordinator Vic Fangio wasn’t afraid to play young guys over Huff as he struggled to find his footing in Philly’s system. If he’s able to stick around into training camp — which feels increasingly likely now with rookie minicamp just around the corner — he’ll have increased competition and a ton to prove before regaining his spot in the team’s EDGE rotation.
