Philadelphia bolsters its pass rush by adding Za'Darius Smith, while also hosting seven players for a workout and signing Patrick Johnson to the 53-man roster. The front office then adds Montrell Johnson and Hollin Pierce to the practice squad, releasing Elijah Cooks from it. A surprising late move sends Tank Bigsby from Jacksonville to Philadelphia to deepen the backfield behind Barkley, Shipley, and Dillon, with Bigsby valued as a potential returner. The RB room now carries extra competition and cost-efficient control for next year, signaling a shift toward versatility and return-game upside.

The moves emphasize Philadelphia's bet on depth over a single-spot fix, with attention turning to Bigsby's kickoff return ability and the RB rotation in Weeks ahead. While Shipley recovers from a rib issue, Bigsby's role will be watched to see if he pushes Shipley or Dillon for touches or if Barkley remains the clear workhorse. In fantasy terms, the Eagles’ backfield dynamics and Bigsby’s special-teams potential create more volatile but intriguing weekly options.

Philadelphia traded a 2026 fifth- and sixth-round pick to Jacksonville for Tank Bigsby, bolstering the backfield and return game. In Week 1, Bigsby had five carries for 12 yards and a 20-yard kickoff return as Etienne carried the load for the Jaguars (16 for 143). In Philly, Bigsby should contribute on special teams and unleash as a complementary back behind Will Shipley (who’s nursing a rib injury) with AJ Dillon adding veteran depth. Auburn résumé shows 970 rushing yards and 10 TDs in 2022, but fumbling concerns and limited third-down value temper upside until he proves a larger workload is feasible.

Philadelphia trades for Tank Bigsby from Jacksonville for 2026 fifth- and sixth-round picks. Bigsby, 24, ripped 766 yards and seven touchdowns last season and even contributed as a kickoff returner, adding a multi‑purpose element to the Eagles’ backfield.

He joins Barkley, Shipley, and Dillon behind the star, while his return ability could shape weekly upside in fantasy. Jacksonville’s Etienne Jr. remains the lead back; Carolina was noted as Week 1 foe, and the deal isn’t official yet as rosters shake out.

Za'Darius Smith signs with the Philadelphia Eagles on a one-year deal, set to rekindle a playoff-caliber edge tandem and face his former team, Green Bay, in Week 9 on Monday Night Football at Lambeau. The move injects veteran sack-juice into a ferocious Eagles defense while teammate AJ Dillon lands in Philly, signaling a nuanced shift for the NFC juggernauts and a potential domino effect for fantasy IDP and defensive-streaming upside.

Smith peaked with double-digit sacks in two Pro Bowl seasons, but injuries muted his 2021, and unsigned status this offseason left questions. Philadelphia’s 2024 defense ranked among the league’s best, suggesting Smith could contribute immediately if healthy. Dillon’s arrival adds a contrasting backfield dynamic for the Eagles, widening the roster’s fictional fantasy value through more layered game plans and snap opportunities as the season unfolds.