4 EDGE rushers the Eagles should target before NFL Trade Deadline

The Philadelphia Eagles are walking down an untreaded path. There are a lot of questions surrounding the defending Super Bowl Champions after suffering back-to-back losses for the first time since the last two games to close out the 2023 season.

Now, with the sudden and unexpected retirement announcement of Za'Darius Smith on Monday, the Eagles' EDGE group is even lighter heading into their matchup against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 7.

Smith had 1.5 sacks in five games played with Philadelphia, leading the room in that category. The current and healthy group of EDGE rushers, which includes Jalyx Hunt, Joshua Uche, Azeez Ojulari, and Patrick Johnson, have just one sack this season, thanks to Johnson in last week's loss against the Giants.

On Monday, Nick Sirianni was asked about his confidence in the group moving forward.

"As far as my confidence in the guys there on that defensive line, a lot of confidence in them," Sirianni said. "A lot of guys that have played. Young guy in Jalyx who’s continuing to get better each and every week. My confidence in him is so high. And then you’ve got guys that have played a lot of football, and I’m excited about those guys and continuing to help them get better within our schemes."

Knowing Howie Roseman, he is working the phones to try and find a potential trade partner to improve the pass rush which ranks 27th in sack percentage (4.27%), tied for 25th in sacks per game (1.5) and tied for the seventh fewest sacks (9) in the NFL.

Here are some potential targets for the Eagles:

Trey Hendrickson, Cincinnati Bengals

This is the obvious clear-cut choice and would move the needle significantly. Prior to the season, there were rumors and hope from fans that Roseman would pay the high requested asking price of a 2026 first round pick and a young defensive player to acquire the four-time Pro Bowler. The Bengals and Hendrickson worked out a new, one-year, $29 million deal and he leads the team with four sacks but on what seems to be a lost season for the Bengals, perhaps they decide to move on.

The Eagles are still searching for production vacated by Milton Williams and Josh Sweat who combined for 13 sacks in the regular season while Sweat flirted with Super Bowl MVP consideration after recording 2.5 sacks and six tackles in the Super Bowl win.

It is noteworthy that Hendrickson did suffer a back injury forcing him to miss the game against the Green Bay Packers in Week 6. However, it appears that he avoided major injury and is day-to-day. When on the field, the 30-year-old has proven he is one of the best pass rushers in the league and there are other pass-rush needy teams that could get into a bidding war for the best player at this position.

Jermaine Johnson, New York Jets

Roseman swung and missed at the last pass rusher he acquired from the Jets in Bryce Huff, but Jermaine Johnson could be a different story. The former first-round pick in 2022 has dealt with injuries over the last two seasons, tearing his Achillies in Week 2 missing the rest of last season and most recently returned from an ankle injury this week that forced him to sit out the last three games.

Despite that, the 26-year-old's stock seemingly is rising as he looks to get back to his 2023 form where he turned in a Pro Bowl caliber season posting 7.5 sacks to go with 55 tackles and 11 for a loss. He returned to action this past Sunday and picked up a sack.

Like the Bengals with Hendrickson, the Jets could ask for a king's ransom in terms of draft picks and players in return for Johnson's services. New York did pick up the team option before the start of this season for $13.4 million and Johnson could be in line for a hefty extension.

There is a connection with Johnson and current Eagles' players Nakobe Dean, Jordan Davis, Nolan Smith and Ojulari with Johnson playing his first two seasons of college football at Georgia in 2019 and 2020.

Bradely Chubb, Miami Dolphins

Chubb seems like a more realistic target for the Eagles. The Dolphins are in a downward spiral at 1-5 and could be looking to clean house and stock up on draft picks. The Eagles certainly have plenty of draft capital.

Turning 30 next summer, Chubb still has two years remaining on his contract with no guaranteed money, which is appealing for the Eagles as they can restructure a new deal. Chubb can provide a veteran presence on this young defense while helping get to the quarterback.

Perhaps most appetizing for potential teams, including Philadelphia, looking to bolster their pass rush is that Chubb does not seem to be slowed down from his torn ACL, which forced him to miss all of last season. The veteran leads the Dolphins with four sacks and has 15 tackles with four tackles for loss.

He also played under Vic Fangio in 2023 where his 11 sacks were the second-most of his career only behind his 12-sack rookie campaign. He also had a career-best six forced fumbles.

Kayvon Thibodeaux, New York Giants

It would seem quite unlikely that the Giants would help their rivals in any capacity, especially after botching the Saquon Barkley sweepstakes, but if there is one player on the New York's young defense that could be expendable, it's Thibodeaux.

With Brian Burns leading the NFL with seven sacks to go with 20 pressures, per Next Gen Stats and rookie Abdul Carter being the third overall pick showing his ability to be versatile, the Giants may want to cash in on having the depth on the pass rush front to bolster other areas of their roster.

The fifth overall pick in 2022 by the Giants, Thibodeaux has 2.5 sacks on the season with eight quarterback hits and five tackles for loss in his fourth season in the NFL. The former Oregon product has racked up 23.5 sacks in 49 career games with a career-best 11.5 back in 2023. He had 5.5 sacks last season playing in just 12 games.

He has also been solid in stopping the run, something the Eagles have struggled with so far this season allowing 134.3 yards per game which is tied for the sixth-most in the NFL.