The NFL Draft is supposed to be a time of excitement, optimism, and roster-building for the future. But for the Philadelphia Eagles, their tenth overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft has sparked more debate than celebration. The player, once seen as a future cornerstone of the defense and a potential edge-rushing terror, is now surrounded by controversy—and may not even see the field in the role he was drafted for.
So, what happened? Why is the Eagles’ top rookie pick under scrutiny? And how could it derail Philly’s pass-rush plans?
Let’s dig into the rising concerns, what’s being said inside the building, and how it could impact the Birds’ defense heading into 2025.
🦅 The Pick That Shocked Many
When the Eagles selected [Name Placeholder], a highly-touted edge rusher from a top SEC school, with the 10th overall pick, reactions were split. On paper, it made perfect sense:
Philly lost veteran pass rusher Brandon Graham to retirement
Haason Reddick was traded to the Jets amid contract disputes
The team needed fresh legs on the edge to pair with Josh Sweat and Nolan Smith
The draftee had all the intangibles: 6’5”, 265 pounds, blazing 4.58 speed, and a reputation for wreaking havoc in the backfield. He posted 11.5 sacks and 19 TFLs in his junior season and was expected to be a Day 1 contributor.
But in the weeks following the draft, things started to unravel.
❗ The Controversy: Work Ethic and Off-Field Questions
Reports began surfacing from anonymous scouts and team sources that the rookie’s work ethic was “inconsistent at best” during pre-draft interviews and workouts. According to ESPN insider Jordan Schultz, one NFC executive even said:
“He’s got top-5 physical tools, but top-50 motor.”
Now, post-draft, rumors from inside the NovaCare Complex suggest the player has struggled to adjust to the mental demands of the Eagles’ complex defensive scheme under new defensive coordinator Vic Fangio.
A report from The Philadelphia Inquirer added more fuel:
“There are early concerns about his focus, preparedness, and off-field decision-making. The coaching staff is considering limiting his reps to developmental packages only—at least to start the season.”
🔄 Depth Chart Shuffle: Other Players Taking Reps
With training camp approaching, the Eagles have quietly begun experimenting with alternate rotations at edge rusher. Second-year player Nolan Smith has reportedly bulked up and is taking first-team reps opposite Sweat. In some practices, even veteran linebacker Zach Baun has been spotted in pass-rushing roles.
The rookie? Working mostly with the second-team defense, often used as a stand-up rusher or even a rotational DE in 3rd-and-long packages.
Not quite what you’d expect from a Top-10 pick.
🧠 Scheme Fit Concerns
The Eagles’ shift under Fangio to a more hybrid 3-4/4-2-5 system puts a heavy emphasis on mental processing, gap integrity, and assignment discipline—areas where the rookie has reportedly struggled.
Some scouts even flagged this during the pre-draft process, saying he was more of a “reactive athlete” than a refined technician. Philly may have bet on upside, but right now, they’re dealing with a learning curve that’s steeper than expected.
👀 Fan Reaction: “Here We Go Again”
For many Eagles fans, this is triggering bad memories of past defensive picks who didn’t pan out, such as:
Marcus Smith (2014) – Never lived up to his first-round billing
Derek Barnett (2017) – Flashed early but became known more for penalties than production
Shareef Miller (2019) – Barely saw the field
Now, the fear is that the team may have reached again, ignoring red flags in pursuit of “high ceiling” traits.
Social media sentiment has shifted quickly, with posts like:
“Please don’t let this be Marcus Smith 2.0.”
“Top 10 pick and he can’t beat out Zach Baun?”
“We need a DOG, not a project.”
💬 What the Team is Saying (and Not Saying)
Officially, the Eagles are keeping it diplomatic.
When asked about the rookie’s development, head coach Nick Sirianni told reporters:
“It’s a process. We love his tools, and we’re going to put him in the best position to succeed. Some guys take longer to adjust. That’s normal.”
Behind the scenes, though, team insiders hint at a “wait-and-see” attitude. There’s no rush to start him. The hope is that with time—and strong veteran mentorship—he’ll settle in and become the force they envisioned.
But as every Eagles fan knows, “potential” doesn’t win games in December.
🧩 The Bigger Picture: Roster Implications
If the rookie can’t step into a pass-rush role immediately, it puts more pressure on:
Josh Sweat – Coming off an injury
Nolan Smith – Still proving he can handle starter snaps
Interior guys like Jalen Carter and Jordan Davis – Who will face more double-teams without edge help
The Eagles’ pass rush was already inconsistent last year. If the top pick isn’t part of the solution, it could become a real problem, especially in an NFC East that now features elite offenses in Dallas and a rising QB in Washington.
🚨 Could a Position Change Be Coming?
There’s even chatter about a positional switch. Some believe the rookie could eventually slide into more of a hybrid linebacker role, or even be molded into a situational pass-rusher rather than an every-down EDGE.
It wouldn’t be the first time Philly’s done this—Haason Reddick had a similar evolution earlier in his career. But it’s definitely not what you want to hear about your 10th overall pick.
🔚 Final Word: Early Bumps or Big Bust?
It’s still June, and plenty can change. But as it stands, the Eagles’ first-round pick is not locked in for the role he was drafted for. Between scheme concerns, reported focus issues, and the emergence of other players, his path to impact in Year 1 is anything but guaranteed.
This isn’t the outcome fans or the front office envisioned. But if he can grow through the controversy, respond to coaching, and lean on Philly’s veteran leaders, the story could still have a happy ending.
Until then? The doubts—and the headlines—aren’t going anywhere.
Stay tuned. The Eagles’ future pass rush might depend on whether this rookie turns the corner—or turns into yet another “what if.”
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