It must be good to be Milton Williams these days. The first day of the 2025 league year approaches, and the Philadelphia Eagles star will be one of the more highly-touted free agents once that happens.
In a perfect world, Philly would find a way to work something out and hold on to their high-priority FAs. But, that isn't the world we all live in.
Zack Baun... Josh Sweat... Milton Williams... They have all earned massive paydays, and truth be told, it's hard to imagine a scenario where the Birds hang on to all of them.
Every NFL team places emphasis of strengthening itself along the interior of the defensive line. That isn't always easy to do, so don't be shocked if Williams' price tag is even more expensive than we are assuming.
So, the question is this. How does Philly replace him if they lose him?
Now, don't read what hasn't been written. Don't hear what hasn't been said. The Eagles are going to be fine along the interior of the defensive line moving forward,
Jalen Carter is one of the game's best. Philly also invested first-round draft capital in Jordan Davis. The struck gold by finding a rotational player in Moro Ojomo (and, Ojomo would be even better if he played more).
Still, Howie Roseman believes "you can never have too many defensive linemen". Don't be shocked if the Eagles invest draft capital in another D-linemen. One of the best in this draft class was mentioned in an interesting parallel.
One of the NFL Draft's top prospects earns a Milton Williams comparison from PFF.
Pro Football Focus recently released a list of their top 20 draft prospects and the NFL stars they see as the most appropriate comparison. Walter Nolan landed at 19 and earned a Milton Williams comp.
Truth be told, we can understand where PFF is coming from on this one. Here's what Trevor Sikkema, the writer of this one, stated as his reason for connecting the dots that represent both players that were mentioned:
"Williams just put on a show in the Super Bowl – and the 2024 season in general – as a difference-making interior defensive lineman. The former five-star recruit Nolen really came into his own this past season due to unique explosiveness and strength, resulting in an elite run-defense grade and much-improved pass-rush productivity.
Williams tested like an elite athlete when he was coming out of Louisiana Tech in 2021. Similarly, Nolen could turn some heads with how well he moves at his size."
Nolen enters the NFL Draft as one of its most expeienced prospects. Each of his three seasons were spent in the mighty Southeastern Conference. Two years at Texas A&M (22 games) produced 66 tackles including 12 that resulted in a loss of yardage. He also notched five sacks, a pass breakup, and a forced fumble.
His final season at the collegiate level was his best. He transferred to the Ole Miss Rebels and tacked 48 tackles (including 14 TFLs), 6.5 sacks, and three pass breakups to his collegiate resume.
