Eagles Camp Star Joining Jalen Carter & Jordan Davis on D-Line?
While Javon Hargrave developed into one of the better defensive tackles in the NFL during his three seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles, there's optimism that new defensive coordinator Sean Desai will be able to overcome his departure to the San Francisco 49ers in free agency.
For the second time in as many years, general manager Howie Roseman used a first-round pick on a former Georgia defensive tackle, reuniting Jalen Carter with Jordan Davis. But it's another defensive tackle -- third-year man Milton Williams -- that Bo Wulf of The Athletic believes is a legitimate breakout candidate.
"The Eagles have used a first-round pick on a defensive tackle in each of the past two drafts, but their 2021 third-round pick might be best positioned to surprise in the team’s quest to replace Javon Hargrave’s production," The Athletic wrote. "Defensive tackles typically take time to develop, and the 24-year-old Williams has looked good as a rotational player with six total sacks and 12 QB hits across his first two seasons."
A third-round pick out of Louisiana Tech in 2021, Williams has 66 combined tackles and 15 tackles for a loss to show for his first two NFL campaigns. If the 24-year-old is indeed able to take a major step forward in 2023, that would be a scary proposition for the rest of the league, especially if Carter and/or Davis make the impact that the Eagles expected when they took them in the top-half of the first round in their respective drafts.
Additionally, six-time Pro Bowler Fletcher Cox is back for his 12th season with the Eagles. While Cox may no longer be the All-Pro player he was at the height of his powers, the 32-year-old did still record 14 quarterback hits, seven tackles for a loss and seven sacks.
Of any team in the NFL, the Eagles were probably best set up to lose a defensive tackle as productive as Hargrave. Whether they'll be able to run against Hargrave when the Eagles host the San Francisco 49ers on Dec. 3 will perhaps be another story.
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