From the archives: My top 25 Philadelphia Eagles players to watch out for in 2026 was never uploaded to readingeagle.com, so instead, Back Sports Page will get the honors instead.
Originally written before training camp, my outlook and opinions on some players and their impact have obviously changed, but for the most part, they were adjusted as we’re only one day from kickoff against the Washington Commanders.
Here are my defensive player breakdowns and some questions that should be asked before the helmets strap up.
CB Quinyon Mitchell (3rd season): 17 passes defended, First-Team All-Pro in 2025.
The former Toledo standout defensive back has quickly risen to the top of the cornerback rankings in the NFL alongside the likes of Patrick Surtain II, Derek Stingley Jr., and Christian Gonzalez.
Quinyon Mitchell is coming off First-Team All-Pro and Pro Bowl selections, and it certainly won’t be his last as he continues to shut down one side of the field week after week.
Despite not recording a regular-season interception through 32 NFL games, Mitchell has become a lockdown cornerback, allowing just a 43.9% completion rate when targeted, which ranked third in the NFL in 2025.
Ironically enough, in five playoff games, Mitchell has had sticky hands when it matters most, racking up four interceptions.
He intercepted Brock Purdy twice in the NFC Wild Card Round last season in a 23-19 loss to the San Francisco 49ers.
Mitchell had 17 passes defended last season, tied for sixth in the NFL, while teammate Cooper DeJean was just behind him with 16.
Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio has continuously praised Mitchell for his ability to learn the Eagles’ complex secondary schemes and for the maturity he has shown early in his career.
Mitchell excels in both man-to-man and zone coverage. Outside of lacking takeaways, it’s hard to identify a weakness in his game.
However, this season Mitchell will be without defensive backs/pass game coordinator Christian Parker, who left to become the Dallas Cowboys’ defensive coordinator.
Parker has coached and developed numerous All-Pros during his eight-year NFL coaching career, including Patrick Surtain II and Justin Simmons in Denver.
Will Parker’s departure have an effect on the Eagles’ secondary, or will that position group continue to run like a well-oiled machine?
Nonetheless, it’s highly doubtful we’ll see any drop-off from Mitchell anytime soon as he continues to improve and turn heads.
A record-breaking payday will be in the superstar cornerback’s future.
CB Cooper DeJean (3rd season): 16 passes defended, 2 INTs, First-Team All-Pro in 2025.
Another member of the Eagles’ stacked cornerback room, Cooper DeJean is one of the best nickel corners in the league.
Coming out of Iowa, there was plenty of discussion on whether his game would translate to the highest level. However, finding his niche in the slot, where he can use his athleticism while getting help from all angles when needed against smaller receivers, has become his bread and butter.
He is not the prototypical outside cornerback, covering No. 1 wide receivers down after down, but being able to dabble in a little bit of everything is what makes DeJean who he is.
With the departure of his “Exciting Whites” duo partner Reed Blankenship to the Houston Texans, DeJean will find himself playing more traditional safety while in base, with the Eagles’ current room being a little lackluster heading into 2026.
He’s viewed as a Swiss Army knife for Vic Fangio. He can match up on the outside when needed, fill gaps in the box, or sit back in zone coverage waiting to make a play.
Players like DeJean are highly coveted in today’s NFL. Having a player who can do multiple things at a high level, regardless of position or scheme, is a blessing for an NFL team, especially on defense, where he can be disguised as something he isn’t at the drop of a hat.
Through his first two seasons, DeJean has yet to allow a touchdown while playing in the slot.
A few more eye-popping statistics: He led all slot cornerbacks in catch rate allowed (61.4%), passer rating allowed (55.4), and yards allowed per coverage snap (0.72).
The former Hawkeye recorded 16 passes defended, two interceptions, and one forced fumble while starting all 16 games he played.
It’s evident that Howie Roseman and the Eagles struck gold in the 2024 NFL Draft with DeJean and Quinyon Mitchell, improving their secondary by great lengths.
DT Jalen Carter (4th season): 33 tackles, 3 sacks, Pro Bowl selection in 2025.
Another Philadelphia Eagle whose name seemingly is always being talked about in the media throughout the year, for better or for worse.
But, he four-year man out of Georgia earned himself a PAYDAY this offseason.
On Tuesday, July 28, the day the Eagles reported to their 2026 training camp at the Jefferson Health Training Complex, Carter signed a four-year, $152 million extension, worth up to $160 million, making him the newest highest-paid defensive tackle in NFL history.
Carter will remain in Philadelphia through the 2031 season with an annual salary of $38 million.
The extension erases all of the potential reporting and noise surrounding training camp, as it was, without a doubt, going to be the biggest talking point in Philadelphia.
Carter’s deal surpasses Titans defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons, who recently signed a three-year, $105.8 million extension. That deal was a point of reference for what Carter and his team would then use as a baseline, especially with Carter being four years younger at 25 years old.
At the time, conversations of whether Carter would get his payday or become a camp hold-in or holdout, the discussions translated to whether he was deserving of that kind of contract.
Since his days at Georgia, Carter has carried a reputation for letting his emotions get the best of him, whether it was the concerns that contributed to his slide to No. 9 overall in the 2023 NFL Draft or being ejected in last season’s opener against the Cowboys after spitting on quarterback Dak Prescott before even recording a defensive snap.
The talent and his ability on the field are undeniable, but what type of Jalen Carter are you getting for the next five seasons? One that has matured since being rewarded, or will we see the same character issues remain?
DT Jordan Davis (5th season): 72 tackles, 4.5 sacks in 2025.
Another player who was rewarded with a huge payday this offseason was fifth-year defensive tackle Jordan Davis out of Georgia.
Coming off career highs in tackles, tackles for loss, sacks, and quarterback hits, Davis signed a three-year, $78 million contract with $65 million guaranteed, proving he is an important part of the Eagles’ defensive future.
Prior to 2025, Davis was viewed as an average defensive tackle, able to fill gaps without making many splash plays that disrupted opposing offenses.
A big reason for Davis’ jump in production last season was his increased snap count.
Over his first three seasons, Davis played just 26%, 45%, and 37% of the Eagles’ defensive snaps before seeing that number jump to 61% in 2025 after losing a significant amount of weight, allowing him to stay better conditioned throughout games.
The former Bulldog made sure to make his presence known with a breakout season, becoming the highest-paid nose tackle in NFL history.
His most memorable moment came in Week 3 against the Los Angeles Rams.
Holding a late 27-26 lead, the Rams attempted a game-winning 44-yard field goal, but Davis wedged his way through the B-gap, blocked the kick with both hands, scooped up the football, and returned it 61 yards for his first career touchdown, securing the victory.
The 6-foot-6, 335-pound defensive tackle reached an impressive top speed of more than 18 mph on his way to the end zone.
Among all NFL interior defensive linemen, Davis ranked first in run stops (34), third in tackles (72), and tied for second in batted passes (six).
After earning his payday, Davis is expected to continue growing in Vic Fangio’s defense.
Alongside Jalen Carter, the opportunities to dominate should come in bunches throughout the season.
Davis has a great chance to make his first ever Pro-Bowl if he continues down this trajectory.
LB Zack Baun (7th season): 123 tackles, 3.5 sacks, 2 INTs, Pro Bowl selection in 2025.
Sneakily becoming one of the top linebackers in the NFL, Zack Baun has been a crucial part of the Eagles’ defensive success over the past two seasons.
In 2024, after spending four seasons in New Orleans, Baun earned First-Team All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors while finishing fifth in Defensive Player of the Year voting.
He recorded 151 tackles, 3.5 sacks, and five forced fumbles en route to a Super Bowl victory over the Kansas City Chiefs. During that playoff run, he also led the Eagles with two interceptions and 33 tackles.
Even with everything he has accomplished in such a short amount of time, Baun still seems to be one of the league’s more underrated and underappreciated players.
However, he has received recognition from those around the league. In a survey of NFL scouts, coaches, and executives conducted by ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, Baun was ranked as the fourth-best off-ball linebacker in the NFL.
Baun’s ability to play sideline to sideline, combined with his high football IQ, is what makes him so valuable.
Whether it’s pressuring the quarterback or dropping back into coverage, Baun has become one of the league’s most reliable linebackers.
He completely turned his career around after arriving in Philadelphia. During his four seasons with the Saints, he never recorded more than 30 tackles in a single season, serving primarily as a rotational backup.
At just 29 years old, Baun is still in his prime, recording back-to-back 100-tackle seasons.
It’ll be important for some of the Eagles’ young linebackers, including Jihaad Campbell, Nolan Smith Jr., and Jeremiah Trotter Jr., to learn from Baun as they continue to develop and take on bigger roles following Nakobe Dean’s departure in free agency.
Expect Baun to continue being a steady presence at the second level of the Eagles’ defense.
CB Riq Woolen (5th season): 41 tackles, 12 PDs, 1 INT, Super Bowl champion with Seattle in 2025.
One of the more surprising and exciting free-agent signings across the league, fresh off a Super Bowl victory with the Seattle Seahawks, Riq Woolen joins what is now undoubtedly one of the best cornerback rooms in the NFL.
Standing at 6-foot-4, Woolen is a towering, lanky cornerback with the ability to smother bigger receivers. His long arms make him a nightmare in press coverage, and his ability to use his length to break up passes is something not many other corners can replicate.
The Super Bowl champion signed a one-year, $12 million deal with Philadelphia in March, making him one of the more highly sought-after corners on the open market.
Woolen lost his starting role in Seattle, and it was reported that there were issues within the locker room and with the coaching staff surrounding that decision.
He also struggled with allowing big plays due to mental mistakes, unnecessary penalties in crucial situations, and technical issues that needed refinement.
His footwork remains a major area of improvement in coverage, along with his ability, like many corners, to consistently step up and make tackles in the run game.
With a fresh start in Philadelphia, the Eagles are banking on a change of scenery allowing Woolen to return to the form he showed during his rookie season.
Woolen led the league with six interceptions in 2022, earning Pro Bowl honors in the process.
Since then, his production has taken a step back, but he has still recorded 12 interceptions and 53 pass breakups in 64 games while starting 53 of them.
Not having the pressure of being “the guy,” while also learning from the leadership of Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean, should only benefit Woolen in the long run.
From a career standpoint, he likely could not have landed in a better situation to get his career back on track.
There is no doubt the trio of Mitchell, DeJean, and Woolen will keep offensive coordinators up at night.
DE Jonathan Greenard (7th season): 38 tackles, 3 sacks in 12 games with the Minnesota Vikings in 2025.
One of the newest members of the Philadelphia Eagles, Jonathan Greenard was acquired in April from the Minnesota Vikings in exchange for two third-round picks and a seventh-round pick.
The 29-year-old then agreed to a four-year contract extension worth up to $98 million.
Greenard was brought in after the Eagles lost edge rusher Jaelan Phillips, who signed a four-year, $120 million contract with the Carolina Panthers after cashing in during free agency.
Desperately needing an edge rusher to fill that void, Greenard became the next best option for Howie Roseman, even after rumors linked the Eagles to stars like Myles Garrett and Maxx Crosby.
After recording back-to-back 12-sack seasons with the Texans and Vikings, which earned him Pro Bowl honors in 2024, Greenard took a step back in 2025, recording just three sacks in 12 games while making 10 starts.
Like Phillips before him, Greenard’s statistics may not always jump off the page, but the Eagles are hoping his overall impact will be felt throughout the defense.
After Phillips’ arrival midway through last season, the Eagles allowed a league-best 14.5 points per game, while their defensive EPA improved from 0.01 per play to 0.34. Phillips also recorded 41 quarterback pressures, ranking fourth in the NFL during that span.
All of that is to say Greenard will have big shoes to fill, and expectations around Philadelphia will certainly be high.
After undergoing shoulder surgery, Greenard is eager to return to double-digit sack production, and playing alongside an elite defensive front should only benefit him in Vic Fangio’s scheme.
Greenard brings a deep arsenal of pass-rush moves, and his relentless motor should quickly make him a fan favorite over the next four seasons.
The question now is, when will he return to the gridiron, and how productive will he be after missing the majority of training camp?
LB Jihaad Campbell (2nd season): 80 tackles, 1 forced fumble, 1 interception in 2025
The South Jersey native linebacker showed plenty of promise in Year 1, but there were definitely bumps in the road along the way.
Jihaad Campbell, the Eagles’ first-round selection in 2025, will step into a much bigger role this season following the departure of Nakobe Dean, who signed with the Las Vegas Raiders in free agency.
With the Eagles choosing not to extend Dean to a long-term deal, it points to the trust and confidence the organization has in Campbell moving forward.
The Alabama product played over 87% of the Eagles’ defensive snaps in every game through Week 8, but that number drastically dropped to under 40% from Week 9 through Week 16, outside of playing 50% of the snaps against the Packers.
From Week 10 through Week 15, Campbell played just 46 defensive snaps and was primarily used on special teams.
That was mostly due to Dean returning from a knee injury, which pushed Campbell into a smaller role during his rookie campaign.
Even through the benching, Campbell handled the decision with maturity, saying he still has a lot to learn and will continue to take his opportunities as they come.
Now, heading into 2026, Campbell is expected to be that guy alongside Zack Baun on the second level.
As mentioned, he truly showed promise whenever he was on the field, earning a 76.2 overall defensive grade from PFF, which ranked 14th among 88 qualified linebackers.
One thing Campbell did exceptionally well was pass coverage. He showed the ability to flip his hips and carry receivers downfield while looking natural doing so, a big factor in succeeding in Vic Fangio’s defensive scheme, which, to put it lightly, is one of the more complicated defenses to learn in the NFL.
Many analysts believed Campbell would transition to edge rusher at the NFL level, but he was at his best as a blitzer when holes were created by the Eagles’ elite defensive line, generating 14 quarterback pressures during his rookie season.
Where Campbell will need to improve is processing run plays. Too often he got caught up in traffic and taken out of the play.
He has all the physical intangibles to become an exceptional NFL linebacker, and 2026 will be a huge year for his development.
LB Nolan Smith Jr. (4th season): 31 tackles, 3 sacks in 12 games in 2025.
Another former first-round selection for the Philadelphia Eagles, Nolan Smith Jr. falls in line with players like Jihaad Campbell as young players expected to make a bigger impact in 2026.
Smith Jr., who missed five games last season due to a triceps injury that originally occurred in 2024, will have a magnifying glass on him heading into 2026.
The Eagles exercised Smith’s fifth-year option, giving him one more season to prove he’s worth extending in Philadelphia or allowing him to hit the open market after the year.
Smith has had issues staying on the field throughout his career, playing under 60% of the defensive snaps over the past two seasons, which has made it difficult for him to show his full potential.
Being a prove-it year for Smith, things have already gotten off to a rough start.
On May 15, Smith was arrested for driving 135 mph in a 70 mph zone in Georgia and was charged with speeding and reckless driving. He posted bail and was released the following day.
That’s not the type of headline an organization wants to see in a prove-it season.
On the field, Smith was outplayed by teammate Jalyx Hunt, who recorded 6.5 sacks and 52 tackles off the edge.
With the addition of Jonathan Greenard, it’ll be interesting to see how Vic Fangio rotates his edge rushers, and who ultimately earns the starting spots, but Smith is going to need to elevate his game.
Smith has the ability to get to the quarterback quickly with his explosive first step against slower offensive tackles. He generated 33 pressures in 2025 but finished with only three sacks, showing there’s still room to improve his ability to finish plays.
There will be plenty of pass-rushing opportunities with the Eagles’ defensive tackles consistently drawing double teams, but Smith will need to prove he’s worthy of earning his next payday.
S Andrew Mukuba (2nd season): 46 tackles, 3 PDs, 2 INTs in 11 games in 2025.
The former Texas Longhorn enters his second season in Philadelphia.
Andrew Mukuba’s rookie campaign was cut short after suffering a broken ankle against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 12.
Prior to the injury, Mukuba had really started to come along, improving week by week while playing every defensive snap at free safety in five of 12 contests.
However, according to PFF.com, he ranked 76th among 98 qualified safeties, including 84th in coverage. His run defense was the bright spot, earning an 81.0 grade, which ranked 13th.
In just his second NFL game, he intercepted Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes late in the fourth quarter, giving the Eagles a red-zone stop that quickly turned into six points on the other side in a 20-17 victory.
When targeted in coverage, Mukuba allowed a 117.7 passer rating to opposing quarterbacks.
That goes without saying, Mukuba has to improve in pass coverage.
With fellow safety Reed Blankenship leaving in free agency to join the Houston Texans, Mukuba is expected to take a leap.
Safety is already considered the weak link of what has the potential to be a top-five defense in 2026, so there will be added pressure on that group to hold its own.
Veteran Marcus Epps will also get his fair share of snaps and could even earn the starting role.
Vic Fangio has stated that, in base packages, Cooper DeJean will occupy the strong safety spot before rolling down into the slot in nickel packages.
So, in those packages, Mukaba and Epps will share the field together on the back end.
Most of this offseason, Mukuba has been rehabbing his ankle but should be ready for the start of the season.
Ironically enough, even with how talented the Eagles’ defense is, there are still plenty of young players who have to prove themselves in 2026, and Mukuba’s name belongs on that list.
DE Jalyx Hunt (3rd season): 52 tackles, 6.5 sacks, 3 INTs in 2025.
Did anyone predict that Jalyx Hunt would lead the Philadelphia Eagles in sacks AND interceptions in 2025?
Doubtful, but the three-year man from Memphis, Tennessee, did just that, putting his name on notice for the future.
Carving out a role for himself, Hunt had a 38% jump in snap percentage last season as a second-year pro.
He became a guy that Vic Fangio simply has to play because when he is on the field, he is making plays.
Outside of leading the team in sacks and interceptions, as a defensive end, Hunt recorded 55 pressures off the edge, a physical trait that will only continue to trend upward.
With new teammate Jonathan Greenard joining him on the edge, it may reduce his role slightly, with Nolan Smith Jr. also fighting to start on the opposite side.
Regardless, Hunt will have his opportunities and even impressed Greenard before wearing the same colors.
Greenard complimented Hunt, calling him a “freak.”
Vic Fangio has echoed the same sentiment in the type of player Hunt is and could become, with a ton of room to grow as an edge rusher.
A gifted natural athlete standing at 6-foot-4, he played safety early in his college days and has the ability to bend the edge to rush the passer while also having the natural instinct to drop back in coverage and snag three interceptions at the line of scrimmage.
The sky is the limit for someone like Hunt, who possesses such unique traits at a premier position.
Having an edge who is more than just a pass rusher is a blessing for any defense, and it’s someone who the Eagles will have a hard time taking off the field for more than a breather.
Safe to say, put some stock in Jalyx Hunt in 2026.
DT Moro Ojomo (4th season): 38 tackles, 6 sacks in 2025.
The Nigeria native has progressively improved his play season by season, and he has made a name for himself as one of the Philadelphia Eagles’ rotational defensive tackles.
Starting just one game in his first 25 appearances over his first two years in the NFL after being selected in the seventh round of the 2023 Draft, Ojomo started nine games and appeared in 66% of the defensive snaps in 2025.
His six sacks were the second-most on the team, trailing only Jalyx Hunt, who recorded a half-sack more.
Ojomo replaced some of the production lost when Milton Williams left in free agency for the New England Patriots, recording 49 pressures and 12 quarterback hits.
Eagles defensive line coach Clint Hurtt has talked about Ojomo’s work ethic and his commitment to the game in all aspects, both on and off the field.
And that’s key for a young, late-round selection while trying to find playing time alongside two of the league’s best interior linemen in Jalen Carter and Jordan Davis.
The depth Vic Fangio possesses on the interior is something most defensive coordinators dream of.
The saying goes, “It all starts up front,” and the Philadelphia Eagles are true to that.
Players like Ojomo make everyone else’s job at the second and third levels that much easier.
With the way Ojomo has developed over the course of his three-year career, it’s likely he’ll continue to create more playing time and opportunities for himself.
But if he does stay on the track of getting better, having more sacks, pressures, tackles for loss, etc., it’ll be that much harder for Howie Roseman and the front office to give him his deserved payday as he enters the final year of his rookie deal.
It’s hard to imagine the Eagles paying three interior defensive tackles serious money if Carter gets paid as well next offseason.
K Jake Elliott (10th season): 20-of-27 on field goals in 2025.
The second-longest tenured Philadelphia Eagle is coming off his second consecutive down season.
In 2024, Jake Elliott connected on 77.8% of his field goal attempts, including a career-worst 1-for-7 from 50-plus yards.
Prior to that season, Elliott was regarded as one of the more reliable kickers in the league, converting 168 of his 195 field goal attempts (86.2%) over eight seasons. Only five kickers with at least 100 games played had a higher career percentage.
In 2025, Elliott connected on 74.1% of his field goal attempts, the second-worst mark of his career.
The one-time Pro Bowler was perfect inside 40 yards but finished just 11-for-18 from beyond that distance.
Kicker is one of the most mental positions in all of sports. Once you start getting into your own head, that’s when the misses can come in bunches.
The position demands incredible mental toughness, knowing three points can decide a football game while having an entire fan base ready to criticize you after one miss.
It’s easy to say, “Block out the noise and clear your head,” but when it comes down to it, kicking is one of the most stressful jobs in sports.
There is obvious concern heading into 2026 about whether Elliott can return to being the reliable kicker he once was.
As of now, the Eagles have not brought another kicker into the building to challenge Elliott for the job, but that doesn’t mean they won’t if training camp doesn’t go as planned.
That leads me to say this: Elliott will be under the microscope in 2026 because the organization’s leash will only be so long if he can’t become a reliable kicker once again.
For more NFL content, follow me on Twitter @MontaltoJared, on TikTok @JarSportsTakes, and on YouTube @PickSwapMedia.
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