Eagles Fans May Not Like Where Jonathan Greenard Just Landed

Despite missing out on ESPN's top 10 list, Jonathan Greenard's debut on the Eagles' roster showcases his potential as a game-changing edge rusher.

Jonathan Greenard didn’t crack ESPN’s recent top-10 edge rusher survey, but he landed much higher on a different list that matters to Eagles fans: the top 25 current Eagles.

The Philadelphia Eagles on Sports Illustrated staff - Jeff Kerr, John McMullen and Ed Kracz - ranked the roster from 1 through 25, with first place worth one point and 25th worth 25. Greenard came in at No. 12 with 34 points, making his first appearance on the list since Philadelphia acquired him in a draft-weekend trade from the Minnesota Vikings.

That placement comes with some context. Greenard was limited to 12 games last season by a shoulder injury, and the issue bothered him in a few other games before he eventually shut things down and had surgery. He finished with three sacks, a sharp drop from the two huge seasons that came before it, when he posted 12.5 sacks in both 2023 and 2024.

The Eagles clearly saw enough to make the move anyway. Shortly after the trade, general manager Howie Roseman laid out exactly why Greenard was such an appealing addition.

“He’s one of six guys who have 12 or more sacks in two of the last three years,” said general manager Howie Roseman shortly after the trade was made, "just a really fun guy to watch. A guy we’ve been studying for a long time. There wasn’t a game that we didn’t watch of his this year, and what you see is a relentless player, a relentless player with physical tools; he can win in multiple ways.

“He is hard to block. I know when we play Minnesota, we were worried about where he is at all times.

Just a really good player. Obviously, a captain on that football team.

We just felt like we had a really good D-line, but we really wanted to elevate it to another level.”

Inside the Eagles on SI rankings, the staff was aligned on Greenard’s value. Kracz and McMullen both had him at No. 11, while Kerr slotted him at No. 12.

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