​The NFL Draft has always been a blend of scouting, projection, and educated guesswork, and Philadelphia Eagles fans understand that balance as well as anyone. Each spring, mock drafts dominate discussions as first-round stars grab most of the attention, yet history repeatedly shows that championship rosters aren’t built solely on opening-night selections. They’re built in the middle rounds, where players develop into starters, role players evolve into impact contributors, and general managers carve out the financial flexibility needed to sustain long-term success.
First- and second-round picks are expected to contribute right away. If those players become perennial Pro Bowlers or All-Pros, that’s a nice bonus. Finding a true star in rounds three and four is even better. That context leads to conversations about Nolan Smith and Jalyx Hunt. Smith was a first-round pick in 2023, while Hunt followed as a third-round selection a year later in 2024. Both players are eligible for free agency in the 2028 offseason. The Eagles exercised Smith’s fifth-year option this past offseason, but a question worth asking remains: might Philadelphia decide they prefer Hunt? Both players share the same position and have flashed the potential to become productive edge defenders. That extra year of control would arguably make Smith the safer long-term investment. Or could Hunt’s continued development quietly tilt the balance in a different direction?
If both players keep progressing, the Eagles could eventually face a dilemma: two talented pass rushers at markedly different price points. That’s not an immediate concern, but it is precisely the type of forward-thinking roster-building conversation championship organizations prepare for years in advance. The investments they’ve already made are telling, yet Hunt has lately been the more productive option. He’s been healthier and is two months younger, and above all, he would come with a lower price tag. It’s still early, and circumstances can shift, but Philadelphia may be trending toward greater flexibility when decisions loom.
None of this should be read as a critique of Smith. When healthy, he has clearly justified the Eagles’ decision to invest a first-round pick in him. After posting 6.5 sacks during the 2024 regular season, he elevated his play even further during Philadelphia’s Super Bowl LIX run, finishing with four sacks and four tackles for loss, tops among postseason defenders. Injuries interrupted his momentum, though, as a torn triceps suffered in the Super Bowl lingered into 2025. Smith started the season on injured reserve in September after aggravating the repaired muscle in Week 3, then returned on November 10 ahead of the Week 10 matchup. In total, he appeared in 12 regular-season games, still recording 31 tackles, three sacks, and a forced fumble despite not being at full health.
Hunt, by comparison, seized his opportunities when they arose. He led the Eagles with 6.5 sacks, capitalizing on every chance to contribute and proving the team’s depth at edge rusher. As the franchise contends with balancing present needs and future flexibility, Hunt’s performance adds another compelling layer to the equation. If both players continue their trajectories, the Eagles could size up two high-impact pass rushers while navigating the financial realities of their contracts.
In summary, the NFL Draft’s allure lies in its mix of immediate impact and long-term strategy. Philadelphia’s situation with Smith and Hunt illustrates how a championship organization contemplates not just the players on the field today, but the ones who might shape the franchise’s direction years down the line. The choice between investing in a proven, costly presence or a developing, affordable talent is the kind of calculus that separates good teams from great ones, and it’s a discussion that, for the Eagles, is likely to evolve in the seasons ahead.