As the free agency market has slowed and the combine and pro-days have concluded, excitement for the NFL Draft has been building with the anticipation about who the first pick will be, who will be the next star quarterback, and even who everyone’s favorite team will select. Many controversial opinions regarding the draft have been swirling, and some are not as crazy as many think. One of these beliefs is that the Philadelphia Eagles will not use their 32nd pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, and rather trade it in the draft for a proven defensive player.
After winning the Super Bowl in commanding fashion, Philadelphia lost five defensive starters, and a crucial loss was edge rusher Josh Sweat, who signed for the Arizona Cardinals. They also lost Brandon Graham to retirement, another big loss at the outside linebacker position. The Eagles have a huge hole to fill at both positions. With that, there are two names being thrown around at the moment that the Eagles may be able to trade for.
One is New York Giants outside linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux. The former 5th overall pick in the 2022 Draft has been seen as a bust in New York. Why might the Eagles have a chance at him? The Giants hosted Abdul Carter on April 14, and it seems likely they will take him with the third overall pick. This is due to both teams in front of the Giants most likely taking quarterbacks, and the Giants will most likely not leave PFF’s number two prospect on the board. The former Oregon Duck would pair up perfectly with current linebacker Nolan Smith. The current asking price for Thibodeaux is unclear but rumored to be between a second and fifth-round pick.
The other is current Pittsburgh Steeler TJ Watt. This move would not only cost the Eagles a lot, but it would also shake the entire NFL. Watt has been unhappy with how contract negotiations have been going. They have been deemed “disrespectful” by Athlon Sports. This deal will most likely not happen for the Eagles, since the 49ers and Steelers are in negotiations to send 49ers starting QB Brock Purdy to the Steelers in return for Watt (also per Athlon Sports and Yahoo Sports). This price would be steep for the Eagles, but Howie Roseman, the Eagles’ general manager, has pulled off crazier stunts for less. We could potentially see the Eagles trade Bryce Huff and their first-round pick for Watt. In the wise words of many Eagles fans on social media, including offensive lineman Lane Johnson: “It’s Howie SZN.”
Will the Philadelphia Eagles be able to pull some stunts off to pull a new edge rusher, or will they draft a hidden gem? The city of Philadelphia and the surrounding communities will anxiously be awaiting that answer on April 24.
Will Cunningham 
Jeff Day