Philadelphia will look to fill leadership voids after Jason Kelce and Fletcher Cox retire, while Kellen Moore and Vic Fangio look to be upgraded over Brian Johnson and Sean Desai. General manager Howie Roseman may splash signings in free agency, adding Saquon Barkley and C.J. Gardner-Johnson, among others.
The NFL draft saw the Eagles add Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean to the defense, along with Jeremiah Trotter Jr. With the offseason program in full swing, we’re identifying ten players that could make the most improved list.
OL Cam Jurgens
Dec 25, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles center Cam Jurgens (51) against the New York Giants at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
Jurgens was solid during his one-year stint at right guard, but he was drafted by the Eagles after starting 31 games, including 18 straight at center, to end his college career at Nebraska. Kelce’s hand-picked successor, Jurgens, can make the list by solidifying the Eagles’ offensive line up the middle.
OL Tyler Steen
Aug 17, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles guard Tyler Steen (56) looks on in a game against the Cleveland Browns at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Jurgens was picked in Round 2 in 2022 as the successor to Jason Kelce at center. Tyler Steen was drafted in the third round last year to replace Jurgens at guard when that position switch happens.
Steen played 71 offensive snaps as a rookie and struggled in pass protection during a 28-23 win over Dallas.
TE Albert Okwuegbunam Jr.
DENVER, COLORADO – AUGUST 26: Tight end Albert Okwuegbunam #85 of the Denver Broncos catches a pass in the second half of a preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams at Empower Field at Mile High on August 26, 2023 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)
After being an afterthought in 2023, Okwuegbunam was re-signed to a one-year contract extension through the 2024 season.
Okwuegbunam (6-5, 258 pounds) was acquired by the Denver Broncos in a trade on August 29 for a sixth-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. The Eagles also acquired a 2025 seventh-round pick in the deal.
The fourth-year tight end saw action in four games with the Eagles last season, playing 57 snaps on offense. In 30 career games (7 starts), Okwuegbunam has registered 54 catches for 546 yards and four touchdowns but could see an increased role in Kellen Moore’s offense.
DT Jordan Davis
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – OCTOBER 15: Jordan Davis #90 and Brandon Graham #55 of the Philadelphia Eagles celebrate after a sack during the second quarter in the game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on October 15, 2023 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Dustin Satloff/Getty Images)
In the first seven games of the 2023 season, Davis logged 2.5 sacks, 5 QB hits, and 19 tackles (2.7 per game). In the final ten games, Davis registered 0 sacks, 0 QB hits, and 28 tackles (2.5 per game), wearing down later in the season. After seeing a dramatic jump in his snap totals from 224 (26%) as a rookie to 519 (45%) in his second season, Davis will be counted on even more with Fletcher Cox retiring.
DT Jalen Carter
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – DECEMBER 18: Jalen Carter #98 of the Philadelphia Eagles warms up before a game against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field on December 18, 2023 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
Like Davis, Carter saw his play dip down the stretch after a blistering hot start.
Carter finished his rookie year with 6.0 sacks, 33 tackles, two forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery (which he returned for a touchdown) in 16 regular-season games.
The No. 9 overall pick started just one game and played just 51 percent of the Eagles’ defensive snaps, but his six sacks ranked third on the Eagles and fifth among all rookies.
DT Milton Williams
Dec 3, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Milton Williams (93) reacts after a defensive stop during the second quarter against the San Francisco 49ers at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Williams set a career-high in tackles (42) but a career low in sacks (0.5) in his third NFL season, playing 16 regular-season games for the Eagles.
The 2021 third-pick started ten games in 2023 after a combined two in his first two years in the league, though his snap share (46 percent) did increase from previous years.
Williams will enter the final year of his deal as the most-tenured player at defensive tackle with Fletcher Cox retired.
LB Nolan Smith
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – AUGUST 17: Nolan Smith #3 of the Philadelphia Eagles looks on prior to the preseason game against the Cleveland Browns at Lincoln Financial Field on August 17, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
Smith recorded 18 tackles and 1.0 sacks in 17 regular-season games during his rookie season.
Playing Haason Reddick and Brandon Graham, the former Georgia star linebacker didn’t play more than eight defensive snaps in a game until Week 12.
His season in snaps played was 21, but with Haason Reddick traded away, Smith could see his role increase immediately.
LB Nakobe Dean
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – NOVEMBER 05: Nakobe Dean #17 of the Philadelphia Eagles reacts during the second quarter in the game against the Dallas Cowboys at Lincoln Financial Field on November 05, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
Dean will enter Year 3 with growing expectations after rehabbing a foot injury that forced him to miss Philadelphia’s final seven games last season. Dean logged 30 total tackles, including 0.5 sacks, in his five appearances in 2023 but will face competition from Devin White and 2024 fifth-round pick Jeremiah Trotter Jr.
LB Ben VanSumeren
Dec 31, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Ben VanSumeren (57) in a game against the Arizona Cardinals at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
VanSumeren ended his rookie season with 13 tackles. Last summer, the former Michigan State linebacker had an outstanding training camp, logging 17 tackles in the preseason finale before He was released with final cuts.
After the Eagles finally signed VanSumeren to the 53-man roster on Nov. 30, he made an impact with 131 special teams snaps in six games down the stretch.
CB Isaiah Rodgers
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – OCTOBER 16: Isaiah Rodgers #34 of the Indianapolis Colts runs against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the first half at Lucas Oil Stadium on October 16, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
A phenomenal special teams standout, Rodgers became just the sixth rookie in Colts history to return a kickoff for a touchdown, earning PFWA All-Rookie honors during the 2022 season.
Rodgers has averaged 27.0 yards per kickoff return in his career and will undoubtedly be a factor for the Eagles.
TE Dallas Goedert
Jan 15, 2024; Tampa, Florida, USA; Philadelphia Eagles tight end Dallas Goedert (88) scores a touchdown against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after a reception during the first half of a 2024 NFC wild card game at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports
Goedert is one of the highest-paid tight ends in the NFL, but he’s never posted a 1,000-yard season during his seven years in Philadelphia. He’s approaching 30 and needs a dominant season to avoid being a potential cap casualty in 2025. Goedert is one of the NFL’s most talented pass catchers, but a 14-game, 1,000-yard season could put him back among the elites.
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