No NFL team has spent less in free agency than the Philadelphia Eagles, who have committed less than $19 million in total contract value since the start of the new league year.
That means the Eagles could still be looking to add to a number of position groups, both in the upcoming 2025 NFL Draft and afterward in the latter stages of free agency.
As it stands, the Eagles have more glaring roster needs than they did at this time a year ago. Positions like EDGE, guard, safety, defensive tackle and cornerback could all be on GM Howie Roseman’s radar over the next couple of weeks, and if Philly is unable to draft one of the top EDGE defenders on its board, Mark Stolte of Pro Football Network predicts the team could pivot back to the free agent pool after NFL Draft Weekend.
Stolte sees the Eagles adding veteran Za’Darius Smith to their group of young EDGE rushers after the draft. Here was his take on how Smith could fit in with Nolan Smith Jr., Jalyx Hunt and Azeez Ojulari:
Believe it or not, the Philadelphia Eagles actually have plenty of cap space at the moment. While it is true that they will be forking up some money soon with all of the young talent that needs to be paid, they are still very much in a position to grab Za’Darius Smith. Adding a player of Smith’s caliber after losing Josh Sweat and Milton Williams would make for a seamless transition that will have opposing quarterbacks sweating at night just thinking about it. The Eagles are in a prime position to go back to back, and signing Smith would position them well for this opportunity.
EDGE remains a major need for Philly, especially after the team whiffed miserably on Bryce Huff and his $51 million free agent deal in 2024. The team hopes to mitigate the loss of Josh Sweat and Brandon Graham this offseason with the additions of Ojulari and Joshua Uche, but neither of those players currently project as the answer for this next iteration of Vic Fangio’s defense.
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The Eagles have been extremely cost-conscious this offseason, especially in regards to future years. Another one-year deal could definitely be on the table, and adding a proven producer like Smith could be well worth the money in 2025.
Smith was moved from the Cleveland Browns to the Detroit Lions at last year’s trade deadline, but that didn’t stop him from racking up nine total sacks. With Detroit, he racked up 40 total pressures and five sacks in nine games. He’s probably best deployed as a situational pass rusher entering his age-33 season, but a player like Smith could help fill the production void left by the team’s two top sack artists in Sweat and Graham.
It’s worth noting that Philly won’t be making another signing until after the 2025 NFL Draft, as moves after April 29 won’t count against the compensatory pick formula. The Eagles are currently projected to receive at least three comp picks for 2026.
This hypothetical will come down to the draft. If the Eagles land a top EDGE prospect who can contribute out of the chute, they’ll be pretty set at that position. But if they miss out on the top EDGE rushers, or have to deal with an injury during training camp, Smith could make a lot of sense as a late free agent addition.
