Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio and the Philadelphia Eagles have a preseason crisis on their hands.
If Philadelphia’s preseason opener against Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins and the Cincinnati Bengals is any indication of where the Eagles’ No. 2 cornerback situation sits opposite ascending star Quinyon Mitchell, the organization may need to make a major addition before hosting the Dallas Cowboys in Week 1.
Asante Samuel Jr., 25, remains a free agent with the kind of big-game experience that could elevate the Eagles’ cornerback room and perhaps the skills to beat out the likes of Kelee Ringo and Adoree’ Jackson who have yet to take the requisite steps Fangio has hoped during training camp and the preseason this summer.
Samuel Jr. is still working his way back from offseason neck surgery, but if he’s healthy, he’s the kind of player who should be on general manager Howie Roseman and Fangio’s radar.
If Samuel Jr. is cleared to return to action for Week 1, signing a cornerback with six interceptions, 37 pass breakups, and 176 total tackles through his first four seasons since being chosen by the Los Angeles Chargers in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft could be a move that upgrades the talent in the Eagles’ secondary.
The Eagles could always look to work Cooper DeJean in on the perimeter opposite Mitchell or continue to hope Jackson or Ringo seize the starting job, but if the organization is looking to add help from the outside, Samuel Jr. is a solid fit.
Moro Ojomo Surging up Eagles’ Depth Chart
Mitchell Leff | GettyPhiladelphia Eagles defensive lineman Moro Ojomo is a breakout star to watch.
Moro Ojomo has all the trappings of a breakout star in 2025, and is having the kind of summer that could make a September surge inevitable.
Ojomo has spent training camp wreaking havoc on the Eagles’ offensive line and in the backfield before making his presence felt up front against the Bengals in the exhibition opener. According to Eagles defensive line coach Clint Hurtt, Ojomo is carving out a significant role for himself along one of the premier defensive lines in the sport.
“He’s an every-down player,” Hurtt recently said, of Ojomo. “We don’t see him as a role guy.”
If Ojomo keeps up this pace, there will be no keeping him from the role previously occupied by Milton Williams who departed via free agency to sign with the New England Patriots.
Last season, Ojomo logged 31 pressures in 268 pass rush snaps, according to Pro Football Focus but could see significantly more playing time in 2025.
“His awareness as a football player to recognize blocking schemes, to communicate protections, where the games are, he’s at the point now where he can come to the sidelines and be able to tell me, ‘Hey, coach they are sitting on this, what about this?’ Hurtt explained. “Those [attributes] are you starting to turn into a coach on the field with his level of intelligence.”
