The Philadelphia Eagles are looking to reload through the 2025 NFL Draft after losing several significant defensive contributors following their Super Bowl championship season.
Since free agency began, the Eagles have parted ways with:
- Defensive end Josh Sweat: signed with the Arizona Cardinals
- Defensive tackle Milton Williams: signed with the New England Patriots
- Safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson: traded to the Houston Texans
- Cornerback Darius Slay: released and signed with Pittsburgh Steelers
- Cornerback Isaiah Rodgers: signed with Minnesota Vikings
- Linebacker Oren Burks: signed with Cincinnati Bengals
They did manage to re-sign All-Pro linebacker Zack Baun to a three-year, $51 million deal and added several players on one-year contracts, including cornerback Adoree’ Jackson and edge rushers Azeez Ojulari and Joshua Uche.
The Eagles also face upcoming contract extensions with All-Pro defensive tackle Jalen Carter, former first-round pick Nolan Smith, and Pro Bowl center Cam Jurgens.
To reinforce a defense that has lost key pieces, a team insider now predicts the Eagles will move up in the draft to address a critical position of need.
Team insider: Philadelphia Eagles will trade up to No. 24 pick
The Athletic’s Brooks Kubena predicts the Eagles will trade up with the Vikings for the 24th overall pick to select Georgia All-American safety Malaki Starks.
“The Eagles are likely to have three third-round picks in 2026 and had four 2025 fifth-rounders to sweeten any deal. Not bad for an eight-spot leap. Starks is a sensible choice after trading away C.J. Gardner-Johnson to the Texans. The Eagles add a proven playmaker in Starks to a room in which Reed Blankenship is the only established starter,” reports Kubena.
He adds that Philadelphia would send their No. 32 pick, a fifth-round selection, and a 2026 third-round pick to Minnesota to secure the move.
This potential Georgia connection wouldn’t be surprising for Eagles general manager Howie Roseman, who has consistently tapped into the Bulldogs’ pipeline. Between 2022 and 2023, he used three first-round picks on Jordan Davis, Carter, and Smith. In fact, Starks was teammates with Carter and Smith on Georgia’s 2022 national championship squad.
During his three seasons in Athens, Starks established himself as one of college football’s premier safeties, earning first-team All-American honors in 2023 and second-team recognition in 2024. He compiled six interceptions, 17 pass breakups, and 197 total tackles throughout his collegiate career.
At the NFL Combine, he displayed his athleticism with an impressive 4.50-second 40-yard dash and a 33-inch vertical jump.
NFL.com draft analyst Lance Zierlein notes: “Starks is a versatile safety with the size and athleticism to eliminate contested catches and the speed and ball skills to shine when the action travels deep. Connection to the route is inconsistent in man and he’s baited out of position by misdirection, but better discipline and anticipation should clean that up. He’s not a true force player near the line and his pursuit angles can be raggedy but he gets guys down when he’s in position.”
