Howie Roseman SZN: Interior Defensive Line

There’s likely going to be a changing of the guard on the interior of the Eagles' defensive line with big names shifting toward younger, more cost-effective talent.

When we last saw the Eagles in Super Bowl LVII, the interior of the D-Line was the deepest in football with Javon Hargrave, Fletcher Cox, Linval Joseph, Ndamukong Suh, Milton Williams, and Jordan Davis.

Ring-shopping vets Joseph, 34, and Suh, 36, will not be back unless it’s for another November-to-February run and it’s likely that the Eagles can only bring back one of the starting duo of Hargrave, 30, and Cox, 32, who are both scheduled to be free agents.

Much will be expected of younger players like Davis, 23, and Williams, 23, in 2023. Also don’t forget Marlon Tuipulotu, 23, who will be back in the mix after a knee injury cut his 2022 season short.

Cox has been a sacred cow for years as one of the best defensive players in the organization’s history but at 32 and set to enter his 12th season, money will likely define Cox’s future.

His reworked 2022 deal of $14 million is almost assuredly too expensive moving forward, especially with the younger Hargrave expected to command $18M to $20M after a career season with 11 sacks.

The valuation of Cox from Spotrac.com remains near the $14M mark and it’s extremely unlikely that Philadelphia can tie up that much money on the interior which is where plates like Davis, Williams, and Tuipolotu come in as players on their rookie deals.

Davis is the real key because he’s got rare traits and needs to prove he can be more than just a run-stuffer.

Barring a change in defensive philosophy in the absence of Jonathan Gannon which is unlikely, the grandiose goal is to have Davis, who played just 224 snaps as a rookie, take up space in 50 fronts during early downs to allow others to flourish and then become a difference-maker pushing the pocket at times in 40 fronts. The former is likely and the latter is probably a little pie-in-the-sky from what we’ve seen to date.

The deeper reserves include Marvin Wilson, 24, who is back on a futures deal, and the big-bodied Noah Elliss, 23, the brother of Eagles LB Christian Elliss, who spent the entire season on injured reserve.

Wilson was given an opportunity last season when Davis and Tuipolotu were out with injuries and faltered which sparked the move to Joseph and Suh.

Elliss never got a chance t to compete last year so he’s an unknown but was once a four-star recruit and if the Eagles want to replicate Davis’ presence size-wise for depth purposes he could get a chance.

STAY:

-Hargrave is too valuable as an interior pass rusher to let slip away.

-Davis will need to ditch the shrinkwrap in Year 2 and prove he was worthy of being the No. 13 overall pick.

-Williams has tremendous upside as a three-technique but needs the playing time and the correct role to prove it.

-Tuipolotu is a solid backup, better regarded by the organization than the fans.

-Wilson will be given an opportunity to compete over the spring and summer but his inability to make an impression when given the opportunity last season is not a positive sign.

-Elliss is impressive on paper but he’s been out of sight, out of mind.

GO:

-Cox will finish his career elsewhere unless he’s into giving hometown discounts.

-Joseph is nearing the end and figures to cherry-pick a spot again later in the season if he wants to continue playing.

-Suh has enough tread on the tire to still help but he’s made a lot of money to play for a little.

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-John McMullen contributes Eagles coverage for SI.com's Eagles Today and is the NFL Insider for JAKIB Media. You can listen to John, alongside legendary sports-talk host Jody McDonald every morning from 8-10 on ‘Birds 365,” streaming live on YouTube. John is also the host of his own show "Football 24/7 and a daily contributor to ESPN South Jersey. You can reach him at jmcmullen44@gmail.com or on Twitter @JFMcMullen