One Eagles Pass Rusher Could Flip Philadelphia’s Entire Defensive Outlook in 2026

The Philadelphia Eagles have a decision to make at defensive end. On one side, you’ve got the obvious choice. Jalyx Hunt, the third-round pick who stayed healthy in 2025 and made timely plays. He’s the safe bet, the guy everyone points to when they talk about a breakout in Philly’s front seven.

But ESPN’s Ben Solak went the other way. He picked Nolan Smith.

Smith is the former first-round pick who spent part of last season dealing with a triceps injury. He missed time during the regular season after rehabbing in the offseason. And now, with 2026 training camp starting July 28th, Solak thinks Smith might be the real breakout candidate for the Eagles.

Here’s the thing about Smith and Hunt. Their pressure numbers are almost identical. Smith posted a 16.3% pressure rate last season, right behind Hunt’s 17.3%. His quick pressure rate — that’s the stuff that actually kills drives — was 4.7%, which edged out Hunt’s 4.3%. On a snap-by-snap basis, these guys are trading punches.

Smith is also a freak athlete for his size. He’s 6-foot-2 and 238 pounds, which makes him an absurdly powerful run defender on early downs. Solak noted that gives Smith more viability on first and second down than Hunt. Both are good candidates, but Solak said he weighs Smith’s rare physical traits a little heavier than Hunt’s toolbox.

The other factor here is Jonathan Greenard. The Eagles brought him in as a starter on the opposite side. Smith is currently projected to start opposite Greenard, which means he’ll get every opportunity to prove why he was a first-round pick in the first place. It’s the kind of setup that either launches a career or confirms the doubts.

Smith has dealt with injuries since entering the league. The triceps issue was just the latest. But if he’s finally at full strength, the Eagles could have a legitimate bookend opposite Greenard. That changes the math for a defense that got bounced in the first round of the playoffs last year and is trying to get back to contention.

Training camp starts next week. That’s where these things start to get real. Smith can help himself by showing up ready. The Eagles need it. And if he delivers, nobody’s going to remember the curveball pick.