Sam Connon previews and breaks down everything you need to know about the Philadelphia Eagles heading into the 2026 NFL Draft.
This time last year, the Philadelphia Eagles were on top of the world.
It might be a stretch to say the mighty have fallen, considering they made the playoffs and kept their core mostly in tact, but this era of Eagles football is certainly on thin ice.
For one, Philadelphia is reportedly on the verge of trading away No. 1 receiver AJ Brown to the New England Patriots. And since a potential trade isn’t likely to happen until after June 1 for salary cap purposes, it won’t be able to secure any 2026 NFL Draft capital by dealing away its top wideout. There’s also the matter of Jalen Hurts’ ability to run an offense, with Sean Mannion coming in to replace fired offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo. Saquon Barkley is going to turn 30 years old next February, Dallas Goedert is already 31 and Lane Johnson will be 36 when Week 1 kicks off. At the same time, Jordan Davis, Jalen Carter, Zack Baun, Jihaad Campbell and Cooper DeJean are poised to anchor a star-studded defense, which already added Riq Woolen this offseason.
How do the Eagles plan to supplement that core with even more young talent? Here’s a breakdown of everything you need to know before Philadelphia is on the clock at the 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh:
If an AJ Brown trade is indeed on the horizon, the Eagles could use another playmaker. Behind DeVonta Smith, Philadelphia’s top receivers are veteran offseason additions Hollywood Brown and Dontayvion Wicks. That isn’t an awful trio of wideouts, but it isn’t one with a long shelf life, either. Ohio State standout Carnell Tate (+7500) is a sure-fire top-10 pick, so he isn’t an option. Jordyn Tyson (+7500) and Makai Lemon (+2500) are projected to get picked earlier, too. That leaves Indiana’s Omar Cooper Jr. (+1200), Washington’s Denzel Boston (+1400) and Texas A&M’s KC Concepcion (+1500) as the most likely fits. Don’t rule out Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq (+1100), either.
Elsewhere on the offense, Lane Johnson could retire any year now. Even if Philadelphia isn’t dying for a right tackle in 2026, this front office has shown a tendency to plan ahead. The Eagles drafted Cam Jurgens in 2022, two years before Jason Kelce called it quits. Jurgens is now a Pro Bowl center, so maybe Howie Roseman tries to replicate that succession plan elsewhere up front. Miami’s Francis Mauigoa (+7500) and Utah’s Spencer Fano (+7500) will almost certainly be off the board by the time the Eagles pick at No. 23, while Georgia’s Monroe Freeling (+2500) could very likely be gone as well. When it’s time for Philadelphia to make a selection, Arizona State’s Max Iheanachor (+500), Alabama’s Kadyn Proctor (+950), Utah’s Caleb Lomu (+1000) and Clemson’s Blake Miller (+1000) will probably be the top tackles remaining.
The Eagles are also thin on the edge after losing trade deadline acquisition Jaelan Phillips in free agency. Last offseason, they lost Milton Williams and Josh Sweat, so the drain could come back to bite Philadelphia’s defense. Miami edge rusher Akheem Mesidor (+750), as well as Auburn’s Keldric Faulk (+1000) and Clemson’s T.J. Parker (+1500) are potential options at that position. Plus, with safety Reed Blankenship headed to the Houston Texans in free agency, Oregon’s Dillon Thieneman (+700) is an option as well.
Thieneman would fill the most immediate need, Sadiq or Boston would lend Hurts some much-needed help and Mesidor would keep the Eagles’ defense humming. But knowing how Roseman and his front office operate, I think they go offensive tackle to start. There’s enough depth at WR for them to get a solid guy at No. 54 or No. 68, where they could also find a project pass rusher.
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