Eagles Breakout Prediction Has Jalen Carter Trade Written All Over It

Depending on what the Philadelphia Eagles do over the next few months, there are going to be certain players who need to step up more than others. If Philadelphia decides to move on from its best defensive player in Jalen Carter, there are going to be guys who truly need to come in and do things that they haven't for a lot of their careers. 

One of them could be Jordan Davis, even if Davis has proven to be a very good player in this league. 

Ultimately, he hasn't proven the same things that Carter has, which makes the situation more interesting than most are talking about. 

Ultimately, Davis will need to step up even if Carter is on the roster next season, given the changes in Philadelphia. 

Fortunately for him, there's a lot of early hype about him doing so, with one ESPN reporter even going as far as to say that he could be the biggest breakout candidate out of any player on the Eagles roster next season.

“The typical breakout name at pass rusher in Philadelphia is Jalyx Hunt, and understandably so. Hunt stayed healthy throughout 2025 and has shown a penchant for timely playmaking over his two years in the pros. But on a snap-by-snap basis, Smith is right there with Hunt. He posted a 16.3% pressure rate to Hunt's 17.3%, and his 4.7% quick pressure rate edged out Hunt's 4.3%. Smith spent last offseason rehabbing from a torn triceps and missed time in the regular season for the same injury, so it's fair to wonder whether he was ever at full strength in 2025.

“Smith is a preposterously powerful run defender for his 6-foot-2, 238-pound size, which gives him more viability on early downs than Hunt. Both are good breakout candidates, and it's likely they contribute equally opposite new starter Jonathan Greenard. But I still weigh Smith's rare physical traits a little heavier than Hunt's toolbox,” Ben Solak wrote.

I don't love calling Davis a potential breakout candidate because of how good he's been throughout his career and the fact that he recently got paid, but I do understand what Solak is saying: he needs to be better, and many expect him to do so. 

If that turns out to be the case, I think Philadelphia will be in a very good spot in both the short and long term.