Nolan Smith: Time to Move On? The Eagles Edge Rush Problem

Let's have an honest conversation about Nolan Smith. The Eagles used the 30th overall pick in the 2023 draft on the Georgia edge rusher, and heading into Year 4, the results have been — let's be generous — underwhelming. At what point does Philly admit this isn't working and move on?

Watch the full analysis: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hXo_PC1VHAM

The numbers tell the story. Through three NFL seasons, Smith has accumulated just 8.5 sacks. For context, the league average for a first-round edge rusher through three years is around 15-18. Micah Parsons had 13 sacks in his ROOKIE year alone. Nick Bosa had 9 as a rookie. Smith hasn't matched a single-season number from elite edge rushers in his entire career combined.

Now, the defenders will point to his role. Smith has been used as a rotational player, a situational rusher, and even dropped into coverage at times. Vic Fangio's defense doesn't always feature traditional edge rushing the way other systems do. Fair enough. But at some point, good players produce regardless of scheme. The best pass rushers in football find ways to get to the quarterback no matter what you ask them to do.

See the clip breakdown: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YuAUapN3zFc

The edge rush problem in Philly goes beyond just Smith. The Eagles have been searching for a consistent pass rush threat opposite their starters for years. Brandon Graham's retirement left a void that hasn't been filled. Josh Sweat has been solid but not spectacular. Jaelan Phillips showed flashes before his injury history became a concern. The cupboard isn't bare, but it's not exactly overflowing either.

This is where the 2026 draft becomes critical. This class has legitimate edge rushing talent — Cashius Howell out of Texas A&M, Keldric Faulk from Auburn, and Dani Dennis-Sutton from Penn State are all first-round caliber. If the Eagles are serious about fixing the pass rush, they need to invest premium capital again and hope they get it right this time.

The question with Smith isn't whether he's an NFL player — he is. He's athletic, he plays hard, and he's a good teammate by all accounts. The question is whether he's a first-round-caliber contributor, and the answer through three years is clearly no. He's a rotational piece on a team that needs a difference-maker.

Trading Smith now would yield minimal return — maybe a fourth or fifth-round pick. His value is at its lowest point. Some would argue you keep him as depth and hope for a breakout Year 4. That's not unreasonable, but it also feels like the definition of insanity — doing the same thing and expecting different results.

The smartest play might be to keep Smith on his rookie deal (he's still relatively cheap), draft an edge rusher in the first two rounds, and let competition sort it out. If Smith rises to the challenge, great — you've got depth. If the rookie outplays him immediately, you have your answer and can move Smith for whatever you can get at the trade deadline.

The Eagles' defensive line has been the identity of this franchise for years. The Brandon Graham and Fletcher Cox era set a standard that the current group isn't living up to. Fixing the edge rush isn't optional — it's existential for a team with Super Bowl aspirations.

Nolan Smith was supposed to be part of the solution. Three years in, he's part of the problem. It's time for the Eagles to acknowledge that and act accordingly.