More news: Cincinnati Bengals Top Breakout Candidate in 2026...More news: Miami Dolphins Top Breakout Candidate in 2026Last season, third-year linebacker Jalyx Hunt passed Smith on the depth chart and led the Eagles in sacks with 6.5 across 17 games. That's his biggest competition heading into 2026, but there's a clear runway for Smith to reclaim a full-time role if he can stay healthy. Nakobe Dean, the Eagles' third-round pick in 2022 and Smith's former teammate at Georgia, left in free agency. It feels like one of either Hunt or Smith truly breaks out in 2026. But even while rehabbing from a major injury, Smith still matched up well with Hunt last season, part of why there's optimism for a rebound.