The Philadelphia Eagles boast one of the deepest and most talented rosters across the NFL, and according to ESPN have the brightest future of any team in the league, but that doesn’t mean major worries aren’t lurking over the horizon.
This summer during training camp and the preseason have shone a light on the lack of depth at cornerback, opposite ascending star and former first-round draft choice Quinyon Mitchell.
According to former NFL executive and current ESPN NFL analyst Louis Riddick, cornerback depth is just one worry that the Eagles should be concerned about in 2025, and beyond.
“What concerns me is the depth along the defensive line,” Riddick writes for ESPN. “A unit that dominated last season, with the departures of Milton Williams and Josh Sweat via free agency. Furthermore, do they have a long-term answer at outside cornerback opposite phenom Quinyon Mitchell?”
The Eagles seem optimistic about defensive lineman Moro Ojomo‘s strong summer as a potential replacement for both Milton Williams‘ role and production, but cornerback remains an open question.
Mitchell already has flashed the traits of being an elite player at the position, and Cooper DeJean is a versatile playmaker in the secondary, but it remains to be seen if he is an ideal fit on the perimeter.
Philadelphia has the pieces to make several runs at the Super Bowl over the next three seasons but how general manager Howie Roseman and staff continue to replenish the talent along the lien of scrimmage and upgrade at cornerback could determine how wide the Eagles’ window is open.
Ogbonnia Okoronkwo Rising for Eagles
Sam Hodde | GettyOgbonnia Okoronkwo could be rising up the Philadelphia Eagles’ depth chart and may make an impact on Vic Fangio’s defense this season.
The Eagles’ pass rush is a source of significant confidence for coordinator Vic Fangio and Philadelphia’s defense, but an unheralded signing could be rising up the depth chart and potentially become an unexpected contributor.
While Moro Ojomo’s training camp has been generating buzz, and both Nolan Smith and Jalyx Hunt figure to play marquee roles, Ogbonnia Okoronkwo is also turning some heads.
According to NBC Sports Philadelphia Eagles reporter Reuben Frank, Okoronkwo may even be pushing for quality snaps.
“A below-the-radar pickup just before training camp began was Ogbonnia Okoronkwo,” Frank writes. “An edge rusher who has played 80 games with 13 starts with the Rams, Texans and Browns. Okoronkwo, at 30 years old, is one of the oldest Eagles, and he’s had some production in his career with 14½ sacks over the last four years.
“Okoronko was with the Browns until late June, when they released him. He didn’t sign with the Eagles until July 26, a few days after training camp began. But he’s flashed lately. He’s got some slick pass rush moves and some athleticism at 6-2, 250.”
Frank believes that Okoronkwo could be ahead of Azeez Ojulari in the Eagles’ edge rusher hierarchy.
Last season, Okoronkwo posted three sacks and 24 hurries, while garnering a 55.4 pass rushing grade from Pro Football Focus.
It will likely take a committee to replace Josh Sweat‘s production, after the veteran signed with the Arizona Cardinals in free agency, but it sounds like Okoronkwo may be pushing to be a key part of the mix.
