Za’Darius Smith joins Philadelphia, bringing a veteran, violent edge presence to an already deep group. His nine sacks last year and proven ability to win with power should upgrade the third-edge role and provide a cushion for Nolan Smith’s youth. The move signals a smarter, deeper rotation and could unlock more interior pressure as Philadelphia retools its pass rush.

Nolan Smith and Josh Uche gain a steadying influence, Aziz Ojulari’s upside remains high, and Jalen Carter’s development gets a clearer path with veteran heft around him. Expect Philly to lean into more stunt work and inside-out pressure looks, raising the floor for the defense and giving fantasy streaming options for the unit and its edge players.

Zadarius Smith joins the Eagles on a one-year deal, instantly upgrading the team’s edge depth as Nolan Smith and the young rotation look to take bigger steps. Smith’s pedigree—69 career sacks and three Pro Bowls—gives Philadelphia a trusted answer on the outside as they balance a roster focused on young talent with veteran punch. Early expectations suggest a measured ramp, with a handful of snaps to legitimize the fit before a fuller rollout.

The discussion circles around when Smith can contribute after his street signing, the ceiling for usage, and how this shapes the rest of the depth chart, including roles for Nolan Smith, Josh Sweat, and the rest of the pass-rush group. Week 1 versus the Chiefs could test how quickly he can blend into a defense that needs juice on rushes, especially with question marks at edge depth and the development timeline for the younger players.