The Eagles are going to try to fill in the spot in 2025…
The Philadelphia Eagles unfortunately lost Milton Williams this offseason, but that doesn’t mean the franchise’s interior is going to take a massive hit.
Williams is a great player and had the best season of his career in 2024. He racked five sacks, 24 total tackles, and 10 quarterback hits in the regular season. He played in all 17 regular season games, but made just seven starts. He was great in the Super Bowl and had two sacks, but he ended up being way too expensive to keep.
Williams signed a four-year, $104 million deal to join the New England Patriots. With New England, he’ll immediately will walk into a significant role. He was a big piece for the Eagles, but was a role player for most of his stint in town.
It will be interesting to see how the Eagles plan to replace him, but NFL.com’s Gennaro Filice thinks third-year defensive tackle Moro Ojomo can be that guy and called him Philadelphia’s “most underappreciated” player.
Enter Moro Ojomo: The Underrated Beast
Step forward, Moro Ojomo, a 2023 seventh-round pick who NFL.com’s Gennaro Filice has dubbed Philadelphia’s “most underappreciated” player. While Ojomo has only logged 456 defensive snaps in his young NFL career, his potential is undeniable. In 2024, he played all 17 regular season games, recording 20 tackles and five quarterback hits. More impressively, among interior defenders with at least 300 pass-rushing snaps last season, Ojomo boasted a remarkable 18.2% win rate, per PFF, trailing only Kansas City’s Chris Jones (18.8%). For context, Williams himself ranked fourth with a 17.6% win rate, highlighting Ojomo’s ability to compete at an elite level.
Filice points out that Ojomo’s opportunity comes at the perfect time. “In the wake of Milton Williams’ departure in free agency, Ojomo is set to assume a bigger role, and I think he’ll seize the opportunity,” Filice noted. Playing alongside Jalen Carter, who consistently draws double-teams, Ojomo is poised to exploit one-on-one matchups, much like Williams did. This dynamic could make Ojomo a breakout star in 2025.
Why Ojomo Could Redefine the Eagles’ Season
The Eagles’ defensive line has long been a cornerstone of their success, and Ojomo’s emergence could elevate an already formidable unit. His high pass-rush win rate suggests he has the tools to disrupt quarterbacks, a critical factor in the modern NFL where passing offenses dominate. Pairing Ojomo with Carter, who commands attention from opposing offensive lines, creates a nightmare scenario for opponents. This synergy could allow Ojomo to surpass Williams’ production, particularly in generating pressure and sacks.
Moreover, Ojomo’s development aligns with the Eagles’ philosophy of building through the draft and finding value in later rounds. As a seventh-round pick, Ojomo represents a low-risk, high-reward investment. If he can translate his impressive win rate into consistent production, the Eagles may not only replace Williams but also unlock a new dimension in their defensive scheme.
Challenges and Expectations
While Ojomo’s potential is exciting, his limited experience—456 snaps over two seasons—means there’s still a leap to make. Transitioning from a rotational player to a key contributor requires consistency and durability. The Eagles’ coaching staff, led by defensive coordinator Vic Fangio, will need to maximize Ojomo’s opportunities while ensuring he adapts to a larger role. However, playing next to Carter and other talented linemen like Josh Sweat and Haason Reddick should ease this transition.
The 2025 season will be a proving ground for Ojomo. If he can build on his 2024 performance and capitalize on his increased snaps, he could become a household name among Eagles fans. His ability to generate pressure from the interior could make Philadelphia’s defense even more disruptive, potentially propelling them back to the Super Bowl.
A Season-Defining Move
The Eagles’ decision to trust Moro Ojomo as Milton Williams’ replacement is a bold one, but it’s rooted in evidence of his untapped potential. With an elite pass-rush win rate and the benefit of playing alongside Jalen Carter, Ojomo has the tools to become a difference-maker. If he rises to the occasion, this underrated beast could redefine the Eagles’ defensive identity and make their 2025 season one to remember. For a team with Super Bowl aspirations, Ojomo’s emergence might just be the X-factor they need to soar to new heights.