Iggles Blitz

by Tommy Lawlor

Finding An Edge

Posted April 17th, 2026 | No Comments »

Yesterday we talked about QBs. Today let’s focus on the guys who are supposed to go kill the QB, the pass rushers. When the Panthers overpaid for Jaelan Phillips it left the Eagles with a big hole in their defense. Maybe Jalyx Hunt is ready to step up and fill that spot. Nolan Smith should be healthy this year and his play should improve. Arnold Ebiketie and Joe Tryon-Shoyinka could be good role players. Still, you can never have enough pass rushers. The Eagles will take on in the draft. We just don’t know who and how early.

You would think they want a big guy to replace Phillips (6-5, 265), but those guys can be hard to find so the team is looking at a variety of rushers. Let’s talk about some players they have shown interest in.

TJ Parker could go in the first or early second round. DL coach Clint Hurtt went to his Pro Day. He has good size at 6-4, 263. Clemson used him in a variety of alignments, not all favorable to Parker. He lined up more directly over the OT or even OG than most edge guys. Parker is physical enough to do that, but you aren’t going to be as disruptive there. When they let him align wide, he showed he could fly off the edge and dip by OTs to pressure the QB. He did drop into coverage at times and looked okay. I’m sure the Eagles love his physicality. He has a good speed-to-power move that knocks OTs back. He can set the edge and is a good run defender.

If there is an insane run on OTs before 23, Parker is an option. The Eagles could also move back and see if he’s available a few picks later. I’m sure they love his versatility, physicality and athleticism.

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Dani Dennis-Sutton is a tough evaluation. His raw tools tell you he should go in the first round. His game tape is inconsistent and will make him a Day 2 pick. He has terrific size at 6-6, 256 and he’s got long arms. He runs 4.63 and had a vertical of 39.5 inches. His 3-cone time was an insane 6.90. That’s a rare combination of size and athleticism. You see that at times on the tape and can fall in love with the guy. But then he’ll disappear for a while. He gets stuck on blocks more than he should. One of my biggest issues is that I don’t think he consistently plays with a sense of urgency. The best pass rushers normally have that. He will hustle and chase the ball, so he’s not taking plays off. DDS just isn’t relentless. He has good competitive spirit. He worked out at the Combine, went to the Senior Bowl and played in Penn State’s bowl game when plenty of other prospects around the nation opted out. He’s good on STs, leading the nation with 3 blocked kicks. His versatility is a plus. He lined up at DE, DT and was good when dropping into coverage. He had an INT last year. There is a lot to like.

The Eagles brought him in for a visit so we know they have some interest. If they think Hurtt and Jeremiah Washburn can unlock his potential, you take DDS at 54. If you feel less certain, you see if he’s available in the third round. I do think he’s got tremendous upside.

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R Mason Thomas is undersized at 6-2, 241. His arms are just over 31.5 inches, which isn’t ideal. He’s not special athletically. But he’s got a real chance to be a second round pick. Why? He is a relentless pass rusher who plays with a chip on his shoulder. He’s convinced he’s the biggest, badded MF’er on the field. Watch him go against Kadyn Proctor. RMT won that battle. 241 vs 380 should favor the big dude. It didn’t. He is way more physical than you expect. He plays with legit power. I can’t recall a guy his size knocking OTs backward this much. Really impressive. He is a good run defender. He racked up 15.5 sacks and 4 FFs over the past two seasons. He also had 22 TFLs. He is disruptive. RMT might get blocked, but he won’t stay blocked. Chases the ball all over the field. Ran down a RB in the Auburn game 45 yards down the field. That kind of effort is what you want in an edge rusher.

The RT for Auburn is still probably having nightmares about RMT. Will he last to pick 54? If he does, I’d be just fine with the Eagles taking him. The Eagles had a zoom meeting with him. He’s not even 22 so there is still room for him to develop physically and as a player.

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Derrick Moore is a bigger edge at 6-4, 255. He is a tough, physical player. He loves to power rush and drive OTs into the backfield. Moore is athletic enough to get by OTs as well. He had 10.5 TFLs, 10 sacks and 2 FF last year. You love that kind of production. Team captain. Good run defender, disruptive pass rusher. Has a good motor. Moore had a good showing at the Senior Bowl, which is something the Eagles value.

The Eagles met with Moore at the Combine. They are bound to love his size, physicality and motor. His pass rush game needs to be refined, but there is definite potential. Would be good value in the third round.

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Romello Height was part of Texas Tech’s highly productive and disruptive DL. They were the best in the country. Height had 10 sacks and 2 FFs last year so he can get to the QB and make plays. He is smaller at just 6-2, 239. He’s got the Nolan Smith build. Height is a really good athlete. He can win with a variety of moves. He can fire off the edge. He’s got a wicked spin move. He’ll used speed to power. If the OT oversets he can shoot inside. Plenty of guys have these moves, but Height can win with them. That’s a big difference. Solid run defender who doesn’t play small.

He’s another player the Eagles brought to Philly.. He doesn’t have the size they prefer, but Height can get to the QB and that’s ultimately what matters. I have him rated as a third round pick. Height is already 25 and that is part of the reason he’s this low.

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This is just a small sample size of guys the Eagles are looking at. This is a deep class of edge rushers. There will be options on all three days of the draft. The Eagles could still make a deal for Jonathan Greenard. Things have been quiet, but there is some expectation he could be dealt next week (no idea of what team is most likely). You have to give up a pick for him and then redo his contract so this is far from a no-brainer, but it is a legit option for a proven pass rusher.

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