Philadelphia’s season-opening win spotlighted a glaring roster hole: a shaky No. 2 outside corner opposite Adoree' Jackson. The Eagles promoted Patrick Johnson and added Tank Bigsby, signaling shift in the backfield depth amid Will Shipley’s rib injury. Za'Darius Smith joined to bolster the pass rush, but the secondary remains the focal point as the team pushes for quick fixes to avoid costly setbacks in big games.

Draft-day pivots aside, the organization's latest moves emphasize a two-pronged approach: shore up the edge with Smith and strengthen the outside corners with Jackson and Bennett, while preserving a stable RB room with Bigsby. If the secondary isn’t stabilized soon, even a win like Week 1 won’t excuse a recurring matchup problem against sharper offenses.

Patrick Johnson and Marcus Epps were elevated by Philadelphia for the home opener vs Dallas, adding edge rush help and safety depth as the Eagles shuffle a veteran-heavy group for a prime-time clash. With Tanner McKee sidelined, Kyle McCord wasn’t activated, leaving Hurts to lead and Sam Howell as backup in a game plan that leans on the run game and special teams.

Britain Covey could handle punt returns while DeJean or Dotson take returns, and the trio of Blankenship, Sydney Brown and Drew Mukuba anchors the safety corps. Fantasy angles tilt toward Hurts as the clear centerpiece; Johnson and Epps provide depth more than direct Week 1 value.

Eagles should resist veteran signings after rosters are set. Isaiah Simmons’ release by Green Bay suggests caution with aging names; Philly should prioritize internal depth over high-priced reclamations. The path to pressure is through development, not nostalgia.

The LB corps—Nakobe Dean, Smael Mondon, Jeremiah Trotter Jr., Zack Baun and Jihaad Campbell—offers youth and upside, with Dean aiming for action by Week 5. Patrick Johnson’s release reinforces a depth-first approach. Rumors of Gilmore or Clowney are noted, but Travon Walker from Jacksonville stands out as a potential, long-term edge option rather than a quick fix.

Bottom line: avoid big-name past-prime deals; lean into the current group and smart, cost-effective additions that preserve chemistry and ceiling for fantasy value.

Okoronkwo has surged ahead of Powell-Ryland for a spot on the Eagles’ edge, elevating Philadelphia’s veteran presence on a depth chart that could carry five or six rushers. Nolan Smith, Jalyx Hunt, and Patrick Johnson round out the top five, with Okoronkwo driving pressure in the Jets game and Powell-Ryland facing a likely practice-squad path. Howie Roseman’s mix of youth and veteran upside gives the defense a flexible, high-ceiling pass-rush plan as the 53-man roster debates unfold.

Rosters aside, fantasy players should watch how the rotation settles. Okoronkwo’s proven hit-rate offers steady sack potential, while Powell-Ryland’s lack of standout camp play points to a later start. The Eagles’ early-season edge pressure could hinge on Okoronkwo’s consistency and the ability of Smith and Hunt to absorb reduced snaps if the five-man group holds, with Uche’s injury detail swelling the intrigue.

Patrick Johnson’s bid to stay on the Philadelphia Eagles’ 53-man roster centers on a rare blend of pass-rush flair and elite special-teams value. The seventh-round Tulane pick has shown enough to be considered over deeper depth pieces, with preseason strip-sacks and a string of hustle plays underscoring his potential as a rotational edge and key special-teams contributor.

With Nolan Smith, Jalyx Hunt, and Josh Uche delivering reliable pressure, Johnson’s fate hinges on more than flash plays—coaches like Vic Fangio weigh floor vs. ceiling, and the Giants game tape plus a clutch Ravens outing provide a blueprint for how he could fit Week 1. The debate isn’t whether he can play in the NFL; it’s whether the cost of keeping six edge players, versus other roster decisions, is worth the add. Either way, his track record on special teams is hard to ignore and keeps him in the conversation for Philly’s opening lineup.