Eagles OTAs: 5 under-the-radar players to watch on defense
· Yahoo Sports
The Philadelphia Eagles enter organized team activities with plenty of attention surrounding the offense, but the defensive side of the football may quietly feature some of the roster's most fascinating competitions.
Philadelphia reshaped portions of the defense this offseason while continuing to inject youth, athleticism, and versatility into Vic Fangio's scheme. Several established stars remain in place, but OTAs will offer an important opportunity for younger and overlooked defenders to begin carving out meaningful roles.
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Here are five under-the-radar Eagles defenders worth closely monitoring during OTAs.
1. Jeremiah Trotter Jr. | Linebacker
The spotlight naturally lands on Jihaad Campbell and Zack Baun, but Jeremiah Trotter Jr. may quietly enter a critical offseason. With Nakobe Dean gone and Campbell recovering from shoulder surgery, there could be early opportunities available inside the linebacker rotation. Trotter's instincts and familiarity with the organization already make him a fan favorite, but OTAs could reveal whether the coaching staff trusts him to take on a significantly larger role moving forward.
2. Jakorian Bennett | Cornerback
Philadelphia's cornerback room suddenly looks loaded after adding Riq Woolen, but that only increases the intrigue surrounding Jakorian Bennett. The Eagles clearly value length, speed, and versatility at the position, and Bennett possesses all three. With Cooper DeJean potentially moving around the secondary and Kelee Ringo strictly a special teams standout, Bennett could quietly become one of the defense's more important depth pieces during camp.
3. Keyshawn James-Newby | Edge Rusher
Philadelphia continues stockpiling athletic edge rushers, and rookie Keyshawn James-Newby enters a fascinating developmental situation. The Eagles already feature Jonathan Greenard, Nolan Smith, Jalyx Hunt, Arnold Ebiketie, and Joe Tryon-Shoyinka, but James-Newby's explosiveness and raw pass-rush traits make him worth watching immediately. OTA practices often favor athletic defenders, particularly edge players capable of flashing burst and closing speed.
4. Cole Wisniewski | Safety
The Eagles' safety room remains one of the defense's most unsettled position groups following Reed Blankenship's departure. That creates an opportunity for rookie Cole Wisniewski to make noise quickly. Drew Mukuba is expected to start, but the second safety job feels very much up for grabs entering the summer.
Wisniewski's instincts and physicality could allow him to climb the depth chart faster than many expect.
5. Moro Ojomo | Defensive Tackle
This one may not fully qualify as “under-the-radar” anymore, but Moro Ojomo still deserves significantly more national attention. Ojomo quietly emerged as one of Philadelphia's most improved defensive linemen in 2025, increasing his snap share while finishing second on the team in sacks. With offensive lines focusing heavily on Jalen Carter and Jordan Davis, Ojomo could be positioned for a major breakout season.
OTAs will provide another opportunity to see whether that late-season momentum continues.
Final thoughts
Every offseason, a handful of lesser-known defenders begin turning heads long before preseason games arrive.
For the Eagles, that process feels especially important in 2026 because the defense combines established stars with several younger players poised to take on expanded responsibilities. OTAs may not decide starting jobs outright, but they often establish early momentum. And Philadelphia has no shortage of intriguing defensive names capable of generating buzz this spring.
This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: 5 under-the-radar Eagles defenders to watch during OTAs