The Linc - The Eagles’ X-factor for the 2025 season

The Linc - The Eagles’ X-factor for the 2025 season
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Philadelphia Eagles news and links for 5/30/25.

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2025 NFL Roster Rankings: Strengths, weaknesses and X-factors for every starting lineup - PFF
X-factor for 2025: EDGE Nolan Smith. Philadelphia lost longtime contributors Josh Sweat and Brandon Graham this offseason, which puts third-year man Nolan Smith in the spotlight off the edge. Smith posted a solid 68.3 PFF pass-rush grade last season as he began to earn more playing time. In Philadelphia’s four postseason games, he racked up 19 pressures and four sacks. If he can produce at that level for a full season, the Eagles will have no problem replacing their departed stars.

Eight young NFL players whose development could propel their teams in 2025 - NFL.com
NOLAN SMITH: There’s been a lot of speculation about the factors that could keep the Eagles from repeating as Super Bowl champions, and most of it tends to revolve around the losses along their defensive front. Along with the departure of defensive end Milton Williams in free agency, the Eagles also watched edge rushers Josh Sweat and Brandon Graham (retired) leave the franchise. That means new faces must emerge to impact the quarterback, and Smith will be one of the most important pieces on the outside. He’s always had the talent, as his 4.39-second time in the 40-yard dash at the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine helped turn him into a first-round pick that year. Last season, Smith showcased his ability to transform potential into production. He went from playing a limited role as a rookie to amassing 6.5 sacks and 24 quarterback pressures in his second year. Smith also had four sacks in three playoff games leading into Super Bowl LIX before adding a couple of quarterback hits in that win over Kansas City. Smith has spent the last two seasons playing behind more accomplished pass rushers. This is the season when he must take that next step and prove he’s more than just a nice rotational weapon. Philadelphia’s schedule is filled with prolific offenses and athletic quarterbacks, both outside the NFC East (like Mahomes, Buffalo’s Josh Allen and Green Bay’s Jordan Love) and within it (Washington’s Jayden Daniels and Dallas’ Dak Prescott). The Eagles’ ability to defend those opponents won’t just come down to their strong secondary. They’ll need more disruptive players up front, and that’s where Smith needs to deliver.

Philadelphia Eagles will open significant salary cap space this weekend - BGN
The Philadelphia Eagles have been busy coming off their Super Bowl victory, reworking their roster and making a flurry of moves to move salary cap space around. Two of those moves involved designated post-June 1st releases of veteran cornerbacks Darius Slay and James Bradberry. With June 1st right around the corner, Philadelphia will finally be able to realize the cap savings provided by these moves. If you aren’t familiar with the “post-June 1st designation”, we’ve got a detailed breakdown for you here. The short version is that after June 1st, releases are...