Rookie Could Fill Hole for Eagles Left by $104 Million Free Agent

While most teams may have been left with some sense of anxiety after watching 2 players on their defensive front exit for almost $200 million in free agent contracts, the Philadelphia Eagles didn’t seem to bat an eye.

Part of that confidence is because the Eagles still have defensive tackles like NFL All-Pro Jalen Carter and Jordan Davis still in the fold — both former first round picks. Part of that is because they have Nolan Smith back as an edge rusher after he had 10.5 sacks in the regular season and playoffs combined and is another former first round pick.

Another part of it is the Eagles have confidence in how they approach the NFL draft and how they evaluate talent — a process that brought them massive defensive lineman Ty Robinson in the fourth round (No. 111 overall) of the 2025 NFL draft.

NBC Sports Philadelphia’s Dave Zangaro singled out Robinson, 6-foot-5 and 288 pounds, as a player who might be able to step in and fill the void on the defensive front left by free agents Josh Sweat and Milton Williams as the Eagles try to defend their Super Bowl title.

Eagles Saw Almost $200 Million Exit in Free Agency

Sweat, who led the Eagles in sacks in 2024, left for a 4-year, $76.4 million contract with the Arizona Cardinals. Milton signed a 4-year, $104 million contract with the New England Patriots.

Sweat and Williams combined for 18.0 sacks during the regular season and playoffs in 2024, including 4.5 sacks in the 40-22 win over the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX.

“After losing Williams, the Eagles have to hope that Moro Ojomo, Jordan Davis and rookie Ty Robinson are able to be strong in that rotation,” Zangaro wrote on June 16. “Ojomo has shown a ton of promise but Williams is leaving big shoes to fill. Davis has been a solid run-stuffer but still hasn’t realized his potential as a pass rusher. And Robinson is an intriguing prospect but is a fourth-round rookie.”

What Robinson Brings To Table For Eagles

Robinson capped his college career at Nebraska with a breakout season in 2024, finishing with career highs in tackles (37), sacks (7.0), TFL (13) and pass deflections (4) on his way to All-Big Ten honors.

He doubled down on his big year with a bravura performance at the NFL scouting combine, where he ran the 40-yard dash in 4.83 seconds and had slimmed down considerably from his previous playing weight of 310 pounds.

“Bully with a roughshod playing style that forces blockers to match his physicality,” NFL draft analyst Lance Zierlein wrote. “Robinson is built for the trenches with the versatility to play in odd or even fronts. He’s first into contact with his hands and mitigates average knee-bend with brute force in his upper half … Robinson might not be a star, but his effort, strength and demeanor could make him a productive pro for years to come.”

Robinson might be the perfect player to fill in for Williams and learn from Carter, Davis and Smith. He could also end up thriving without having to become a full time starter. Williams only made 19 starts in 4 seasons with the Eagles, with 17 of those starts coming over the last 2 seasons.