​Depending on how the Philadelphia Eagles approach the coming months, several players will have to elevate their performance more than others. If the team decides to part ways with its top defensive asset, Jalen Carter, expect certain players to step forward in ways they haven’t for much of their careers. One potential candidate is Jordan Davis, who has already shown he can be a valuable contributor in this league. Still, his track record hasn’t matched Carter’s level of impact, which makes the current situation more intriguing than many commentators realize.
Davis will likely be asked to raise his level even if Carter remains on the roster next season, given the inevitable changes around Philadelphia. Fortunately, there’s already a notable amount of early buzz surrounding Davis’s potential breakout. In fact, one ESPN analyst has gone so far as to suggest he could emerge as the Eagles’ biggest breakout candidate next season.
Traditionally, the breakout name for Philadelphia’s pass rush has been Jaelyn Hunt, a sensible expectation given his health and production in 2025. He played all season and demonstrated a knack for timely impact plays during his two years in the league. Yet, on a per-snap basis, another player—Zach Smith—has been right in the conversation. Smith posted a 16.3% pressure rate, just behind Hunt’s 17.3%, and his 4.7% quick-pressure rate edged Hunt’s 4.3%. Smith also spent the previous offseason rehabilitating a torn triceps and then missed time in the regular season with the same injury, so questions about whether he was ever at full strength in 2025 are reasonable.
Smith’s combination of rare physical traits and strength makes him a particularly intriguing early-down defender for a team that wants versatility in its front. At 6-foot-2 and 238 pounds, his run-defending power adds a different dimension to the unit, which could help him contribute meaningfully alongside Hunt and a new starting edge presence in Jonathan Greenard. Both Hunt and Smith are strong breakout candidates, and expectations suggest they could deliver comparable contributions opposite Greenard. Still, many evaluators weigh Smith’s exceptional physical tools a bit more heavily than Hunt’s tackle-box of technical skills.
Solak’s commentary underlines a critical dynamic: Davis’s proven production and recent contract extension temper the enthusiasm around labeling him a breakout candidate, even as the sentiment remains that he must raise his level. If Davis does elevate his play to meet higher expectations, Philadelphia would be positioned for strong, sustained success in the near term and into the long term. The potential combined impact of Davis’s growth, Smith’s toolkit, Hunt’s durability, and Greenard’s starter-level role could create a leadership-driven defensive front that significantly strengthens Philadelphia’s overall outlook heading into next season. As the Eagles navigate this period of transition, the players who rise to the occasion will shape not only their own careers but the franchise’s trajectory for years to come.