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.