3 Young Linemen Will Turn the Eagles’ 2025 Defensive Line Into a Nightmare in the NFL

The Philadelphia Eagles have done a perfect job building up what could be one of the best defensive lines in the NFL in just three years.

It all started with Jordan Davis getting selected in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft and becoming an instant contributor after his rookie season. The 2023 NFL Draft would bring in first-round pick Jalen Carter and seventh-round pick Moro Ojomo, as it was the same story for both players as it was with Davis.

This has been constructed to be the new starting lineup for the Eagles' defensive line entering the 2025 season. It's a line that some might consider to be one of the best, as the PFF grades will prove.

PFF's latest position rankings demonstrates the Eagles' dominance on the defensive line

The latest installment of the PFF position rankings focused on the interior defensive linemen. Trevor Sikkema took the reins on the article as he included three Eagles in the rankings, starting with Carter taking fifth as he proved to be one of the best pass-rushing interior linemen in the NFL.

"Carter’s 73.3 PFF overall grade from 2024 doesn’t jump out, but his 84.4 and 84.6 PFF pass-rush grades in each of the past two seasons with 125 total pressures certainly do. He’s not as well-rounded in run defense yet, but he’s already a game-wrecking pass rusher."

Carter has earned his spot in the top five after just two seasons in the NFL. He came in second in the voting for AP Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2023 and made the Pro Bowl and the AP second-team All-Pro in 2024. Last season, Carter accumulated 42 tackles, 16 quarterback hits, 12 tackles for loss, six pass deflections, 4.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles in 16 games.

Next in the rankings is Davis, who took a steep fall but still managed to be ranked 28th in the NFL. His consistency and pass-rushing abilities are what kept him in the top 32.

"Davis earned a single-season PFF overall grade between 70.0-72.0 (71.0) for the third straight season. The massive nose tackle actually graded better as a pass rusher (73.3) than a run defender (58.0) in 2024."

Statistically, Davis took a step down thanks to Carter's emergence, but still managed a strong season for Philadelphia. In 17 games, he racked up 27 tackles, three tackles for loss, two pass deflections, one quarterback hit, one sack, and one fumble recovery.

Last to join the list is a pleasant surprise for Eagles fans, as Ojomo gets some love, falling right at 32. His larger role last year gave him the chance to showcase his ability to pressure the quarterback.

"Ojomo was a good piece of the puzzle for an Eagles' defensive line that helped capture a Super Bowl this past season. He earned a 70.4 PFF overall grade with an 82.4 PFF pass-rush grade. Ojomo did not record a sack, but he did log 39 pressures. "

Ojomo made only one start, but played in all 17 regular-season games. He had 20 tackles and five quarterback hits during the season. His postseason play helped him capture some spotlight as Ojomo racked up seven tackles, two tackles for loss, one quarterback hit, and one sack in four games.

This offseason, several of the Eagles' top defensive linemen departed from the team. Josh Sweat and Milton Williams signed big free agent contracts elsewhere and Brandon Graham retired from football.

Philadelphia enters a new chapter in its defensive line, with all three of its projected starters being 25 or under. What's clear is the future is secure on the defensive line with Carter, Davis, and Ojomo, which should only make NFL offensive lines nervous.