No team is perfect. That's just how things are set up. The NFL won't allow it as it prides itself on parity. If league offices had their way, the Philadelphia Eagles and every other franchise would enter Week 18 of every regular season with an 8-8 record or something in that area.
A salary cap, annual draft, and free agency promote an even playing field. So does the theory that every team has a chance. Pro football has tried all it can to infuse its teams and their respective fan bases that nothing is predictable.
But, it kind of is...
We've lived long enough to know the NY Jets won't be a contender, and the Carolina Panthers won't win the NFC South. Maybe football isn't any different than any other conglomerate. Some franchises just handle their business better than others.
Thankfully, we've devoted our loyalty to one of the NFL's better-run organizations. The Eagles have suffered losses, but thanks to some low-risk, high-reward signings, a successful title defense isn't out of the realm of possibility.
Expect a few of the newer Eagles to outperform their price tag during the 2025 NFL season.
So, about free agency and the draft... Each component of the roster-building process allows for improving each team's chance at winning. There's also some cap juggling involved. Each team tries to land the best talent possible without venturing into 'overspending'.
Few do this better than Howie Roseman. Through ingenuity, he, year after year, blends high-paid players with bargain signings. Year after year, because of such, guys outplay their price tag and put themselves into position for decent paydays, whether with the Birds or another organization.
EDGE Azeez Ojulari
2025 cap hit: $1,672,000 Most felt the Birds would enter the 2025 offseason with EDGE being their top need. Brandon Graham announced his retirement before the season. Josh Sweat was expected to leave (and, he did).
Bryce Huff underperformed and lost Vic Fangio's trust, so Howie responded by adding two edge rushers, one being Azeez Ojulari. He'll earn plenty of opportunities in Philly's rotation, so we're expecting a solid if not spectacular season.
Cornerback Adoree' Jackson
2025 cap hit: $1,355,000 Some believe the New York Giants moved on from Adoree' Jackson mostly because his best years were behind him, but that was also what the G-Men believed about James Bradberry, Saquon Barkley, and Ojulari.
Say what you will about James. He played very well during his first season in midnight green. We expect Jackson will as well. That may not earn him an extension in the City of Brotherly Love, but it will earn him an opportunity elsewhere.
EDGE Joshua Uche
2025 cap hit: $1,320,000 Much of what we said about Ojulari can be copy and pasted under Josh Uche's name. EDGE was where Philly needed the most help, so Philly's new edge rushers can be expected to be plugged into the defensive gameplan swiftly.
Uche has appeared in 64 games with four starts. 86 tackles, 20.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles have been the result of his efforts. Playing in a rotational role with Philly will keep him fresh. Being a role player removes unnecessary pressure.
Our bold prediction? We're looking for around five sacks from this young man, making his addition a successful offseason acquisition.
RB A.J. Dillon
2025 cap hit: $1,197,500 Saquon Barkley toted the rock a league-leading 345 times during the regular season. Then, he led all tailbacks with 91 carries during the NFL Playoffs.
Yeah... He could use some help.
A.J. Dillon is here presumably to lessen the workload by shouldering some of those 'tough carries'. He's making less than $1.2 million, but that's a small price to pay for extending Saquon's shelf life and keeping him fresh through the regular season and, hopefully, Philly's title defense.
Final thoughts: After seeing some impactful seasons from new acquisitions like Mekhi Becton and Zack Baun last season, we expect to see much of the same from the guys on this list. We're looking forward to big things.
