Zack Baun 2.0? Eagles new edge rusher Joshua Uche displays strengths that could lead to him being a breakout player

Here we freaking go again, baby. Howie Roseman may have found another hidden gem this offseason, and the rest of the NFL should be pissed. I don’t want to get too ahead of myself, but while scrolling through social media on this gloomy Saturday morning, I came across a Brian Baldinger breakdown of the Eagles’ new free agent edge rusher, Joshua Uche.

And let me tell you—this feels like another classic Eagles steal in NFL free agency. One of those low-risk, high-reward type signings. And while it’s probably a stretch to say Uche will suddenly become one of the best players in the league at his position… why can’t he blow past expectations and thrive in Vic Fangio’s defense?

WATCH: Eagles edge rusher Joshua Uche displays promising skillset

.@Eagles @_Uche35 Josh is only 26; healthy; and can bend…really bend the corner. He has strengths. #BaldysBreakdowns pic.twitter.com/72dVgr8Jdg

— Brian Baldinger (@BaldyNFL) April 4, 2025

Joshua Uche isn’t some undrafted longshot or random camp body. He was a second-round pick out of Michigan back in 2020, and while his time in New England didn’t exactly light up the stat sheet, there’s way more to the story than raw numbers.

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For four seasons, Uche was stuck in a rotational role with the Patriots, never cracking more than 38% of defensive snaps in a single year. But despite the limited playing time, he showed flashes—especially in 2022 when he racked up 11.5 sacks and looked like a straight-up nightmare for opposing QBs.

Don’t let the stats fool you

Now, yeah—outside of that one explosive season, the production hasn’t been mind-blowing. He’s only totaled 11 sacks across his other three years combined. Naturally, that raises some eyebrows. Is he a one-year wonder? A fluke? A product of scheme?

Maybe. But here’s the thing—Uche isn’t some jack-of-all-trades linebacker. He’s a laser-focused, heat-seeking missile off the edge. He knows exactly what he is: a pure pass rusher. And in today’s NFL, having a guy who can pin his ears back and get after the quarterback on third-and-long is huge.

What sets the new Eagles edge rusher apart

What sets Uche apart is his explosiveness off the line. He’s got that quick-twitch burst that jumps off the screen, and his signature chop move? Filthy. Offensive tackles flat-out struggle to stay in front of him when he times it right. He’s also lethal on stunts and twists—those little games up front where his agility and short-area quickness shine.

According to Pro Football Focus, Uche has logged 908 career pass-rushing snaps compared to just 258 in run defense and 207 in coverage. That tells you everything you need to know—this guy was born to hunt quarterbacks, not drop back into coverage or stack up blockers on early downs.

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And here’s the wild part—if Uche ends up clicking for the Eagles, this dude could essentially be the Bryce Huff replacement we thought we were getting last year. Huff signed for 3 years, $51 million and gave us next to nothing. Meanwhile, Uche’s coming in on a one-year, $1.92 million prove-it deal. Talk about a potential steal.

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