The Philadelphia Eagles are sitting near the top of the NFC at 4-1, but their defense has looked far more ordinary so far this season than it did just last year.
Through five games, Vic Fangio’s unit has recorded only seven sacks, with two of those coming in their Week 5 loss to the Denver Broncos. The injury bug deserves much of the blame, as the defensive line has been hit hard. A promising season for edge rusher Nolan Smith was derailed by a triceps injury that landed him on injured reserve in September, and the timeline for his return remains unknown.
Things worsened when veteran Ogbo Okoronkwo suffered a torn triceps of his own, a blow that will likely sideline him for the rest of the season. Even star defensive tackle Jalen Carter popped up on the Week 6 injury report with a heel issue that raises some legit questions about what Philly’s D-line could look like Week 6.
With several defensive ends currently out, the Eagles decided to kick the tires on a potential reinforcement. On October 8, Philly brought in former San Francisco 49ers second-round pick Drake Jackson for a workout.
More on Philadelphia Eagles Hosting DE Drake Jackson for a Workout
Jackson, still just 24, flashed serious upside early, with 6.0 sacks over his first two seasons. He hasn’t played since a torn patellar tendon ended his 2023 campaign, however. He was waived by San Francisco this past spring.
Now a free agent, he’s been making the rounds and is also set to work out for the Commanders, Jets and Ravens.
Before entering the NFL, Jackson built an impressive résumé at USC that made him one of the most intriguing edge prospects in the 2022 draft. Across three seasons with the Trojans (2019–2021), he racked up 103 total tackles (25 for loss), 12.5 sacks and a pair of interceptions in 28 games.
Signing him would be a bit of a gamble, of course. But even if he’s eased in as a rotational piece or practice squad addition, he’d offer fresh legs and developmental upside at a position desperately thin on both.
Eagles DEs not Contributing to Pass Rush in Meaningful Ways Yet
“The production or the sack numbers are what [they are],” Fangio said on October 7 when asked why he thinks sack totals are down for his unit. “I do think the ball is coming out fairly quick a lot. I think the sack numbers, when you eliminate the big games that some teams have, are down overall in the last few years. The guys have been rushing good enough. We just haven’t gotten there.”
Veterans like Za’Darius Smith and Azeez Ojulari have had flashes, but neither has provided the steady presence this defense badly needs. Smith currently is the only defensive end on the team with more than one sack (he has 1.5).
“Obviously the game’s not too big for him,” Fangio said about Smith. “He’s been out there a lot in his career. [He] made a critical sack last week, which pushed [Denver] out of field goal range. I think he’s getting better and better every week.”
Whether they add Jackson or someone else to help harass opposing quarterbacks, expect the Eagles to continue to look for ways to bulk up their pass rush.
