The Philadelphia Eagles faced a daunting offseason, watching two key defensive linemen—Josh Sweat and Milton Williams—walk away in free agency with contracts totaling nearly $200 million. Sweat signed a 4-year, $76.4 million deal with the Arizona Cardinals, while Williams inked a 4-year, $104 million contract with the New England Patriots. Together, the duo accounted for 18.0 sacks in the 2024 regular season and playoffs, including 4.5 in the Eagles’ dominant 40-22 Super Bowl LIX victory over the Kansas City Chiefs. Yet, despite the loss, the Eagles remain unfazed, and their confidence may rest on a towering fourth-round rookie: Ty Robinson.
A Formidable Defensive Core Remains
The Eagles’ optimism stems from their robust defensive front, anchored by NFL All-Pro Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis, and edge rusher Nolan Smith—all former first-round picks. Carter and Davis provide a dominant interior presence, while Smith, coming off a 2024 season with 10.5 sacks across the regular season and playoffs, solidifies the edge. This talented trio gives Philadelphia a foundation to weather the departure of Sweat and Williams, but the team’s draft prowess may have delivered another gem in Robinson.
Ty Robinson registers a 4.83u 40 at 6’5″ and 288 pounds 🔥
📺: #NFLCombine on @NFLNetwork
📱: Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/IwvDRYFvhx— NFL (@NFL) February 27, 2025
Selected in the fourth round (No. 111 overall) of the 2025 NFL Draft, the 6-foot-5, 288-pound defensive lineman from Nebraska is poised to make an immediate impact. NBC Sports Philadelphia’s Dave Zangaro highlighted Robinson as a potential solution to fill the void left by Sweat and Williams, noting his ability to slot into the Eagles’ defensive rotation alongside promising youngster Moro Ojomo and the stout run-stopper Davis.
“After losing Williams, the Eagles have to hope that Moro Ojomo, Jordan Davis, and rookie Ty Robinson are able to be strong in that rotation,” Zangaro wrote on June 16. “Ojomo has shown a ton of promise, but Williams is leaving big shoes to fill. Davis has been a solid run-stuffer but still hasn’t realized his potential as a pass rusher. And Robinson is an intriguing prospect but is a fourth-round rookie.”
Ty Robinson: A Breakout Star in the Making
Robinson’s rise to prominence began with a stellar 2024 season at Nebraska, where he earned All-Big Ten honors. He set career highs with 37 tackles, 7.0 sacks, 13 tackles for loss, and 4 pass deflections, showcasing his versatility and disruptive potential. His momentum carried into the NFL Scouting Combine, where he turned heads with a 4.83-second 40-yard dash—an impressive feat for a man who slimmed down from his college playing weight of 310 pounds to a leaner 288.
Ty Robinson showed insane bend at 310 pounds.
At the combine, he was nearly 20 pounds less than his playing weight in college.
Sky-high potential as a pass rusher pic.twitter.com/zNtjxSXgWv
— Eagles Eric (@EaglesXsandOs) April 28, 2025
NFL draft analyst Lance Zierlein described Robinson as a “bully with a roughshod playing style that forces blockers to match his physicality.” Zierlein praised Robinson’s versatility to play in both odd and even fronts, noting, “He’s first into contact with his hands and mitigates average knee-bend with brute force in his upper half … Robinson might not be a star, but his effort, strength, and demeanor could make him a productive pro for years to come.”
A Perfect Fit for Philadelphia
Robinson’s skill set aligns seamlessly with the Eagles’ defensive philosophy. His physicality and relentless motor make him an ideal candidate to learn from Carter, Davis, and Smith while stepping into the rotational role previously occupied by Williams, who started just 19 games in four seasons with the Eagles (17 in the last two years). Robinson’s ability to disrupt both the run and pass games could allow him to thrive without the pressure of being a full-time starter, much like Williams did.
The Eagles’ confidence in their draft process and talent evaluation has already paid dividends with players like Carter, Davis, and Smith. Now, Robinson represents the next piece of that puzzle—a player who could help fans move past the loss of a $104 million star. If his college production and combine performance are any indication, this “bully” in the trenches might just make Philadelphia forget about Milton Williams in an instant.