The Philadelphia Eagles had a productive 2026 NFL Draft, selecting eight players while addressing key offensive needs amid rumors of an impending A.J. Brown trade and preparing for the future at offensive line and tight end.
GM Howie Roseman orchestrated a small trade-up in the first round and focused heavily on skill positions early before adding depth and developmental prospects later. Which, in my opinion, is a smart move because it helps establish what the team needs, and later picks in the draft can focus on building the future.
This draft class has strong athleticism, production, and upside, with a clear nod to replacing production from potential departures. Here is my breakdown of each pick with analysis and a letter grade (on the traditional A-F scale) for each pick in the draft.
Round 1, Pick 20 (via trade with Dallas Cowboys): Makai Lemon, WR, USC
For the first pick in this year’s draft, the Eagles had their eyes set on getting a key wide receiver to make an immediate impact on the team. The Eagles traded up three spots from their original No. 23 selection (giving up two fourth-round picks) to secure Makai Lemon, who was sliding but remained a high-priority target on their board for the Eagles in this draft.
Lemon is the former Biletnikoff Award winner and was a highly productive slot receiver at USC. He posted impressive numbers with 1,200 yards last season. The key skills he possesses are excellent hands, toughness, and yards-after-catch ability.
Lemon profiles as a high-volume, reliable target who can operate in the short-to-intermediate areas—potentially filling a role similar to what A.J. Brown has dominated while complementing DeVonta Smith. My ultimate concern with this pick is translating contested-catch and deep-ball skills to the NFL. If he can find the ability through the right coaching, he can be a big impact on this team, as they exactly need at the position. His mentality and production make him a strong immediate contributor in what appears to be a more spread-out passing attack that the Eagles have been looking for.
Grade: A-
Excellent value after the trade up from the Cowboys, addressing a potential WR need proactively, and adds a tough, productive player who should contribute right away for an elite offensive team.
Round 2, Pick 54: Eli Stowers, TE, Vanderbilt
For the second pick in this year’s draft, the Eagles wanted to continue addressing offensive issues by selecting a strong player, Tight End Eli Stowers from Vanderbilt. This 6-4, 239-pound tight end came in as a surprise at the position. From being a converted quarterback to an elite tight end, he brings athleticism and size to this position.
At the combine, he stood out with a 45.5-inch vertical and brings the ability to stretch the field and threaten the red zone. He also shows promise as a receiving threat who can stretch the field and threaten the red zone. My main concerns with this pick are that he has only two seasons of experience at tight end, and his blocking remains a work in progress, which limits his immediate role behind veterans like Dallas Goedert. This pick positions the Eagles well for the future at a position of need, especially if they want a more dynamic receiving TE in the offense.
Grade: B–
Solid athletic upside and long-term fit as a potential Goedert successor, though the rawness at the position caps the immediate impact. As long as issues are addressed through the preseason and mini-camp, he will be a good pick for the Eagles as a second-round tight end.
Round 3, Pick 68: Markel Bell, OT, Miami
For the third pick in this year’s draft, the Eagles wanted to address the offensive tackle position, and boy, did they ever get a great OT. They drafted the biggest player in the draft with developmental upside, being Markel Bell out of Miami. At 6-9 and 346 pounds: a true “unicorn” with rare size and length, he will make sure his presence is felt in the NFL.
Along with some of his skills, he can bring to this position. The Eagles have a history of betting on high-upside offensive linemen with unique traits, with his great blocking and hand placement skills, and Bell could eventually compete as a successor to the aging Lane Johnson at right tackle.
His one big improvement is to refine his technique consistently to be NFL-ready, and to get strength coaching before contributing. But the physical tools are off the charts for a player who joined football relatively late or has raw traits.
Grade: B
High-ceiling gamble that fits Philly’s OL drafting philosophy, but the rawness and project nature make it a bit rich for the third round; patience will be required.
Round 5, Pick 178 (Compensatory): Cole Payton, QB, North Dakota State
With the Eagles’ fourth pick in the draft, the Eagles took one of two risks in the draft, and the first risk was drafting quarterback Cole Payton from North Dakota State. This left-handed QB will definitely be a developmental player from the FCS ranks. Payton brings mobility and could develop into a gadget or change-of-pace option, similar to a Taysom Hill-type role.
With Jalen Hurts entrenched as the starter, this is a low-risk, high-reward flier on a player who could contribute in creative packages or provide emergency depth. It signals the Eagles are thinking creatively about quarterback utility in their offense.
Grade: C+
Fine late-round dart throw with scheme-specific upside, but it’s a specialized role with limited projection to a full-time QB job.
Round 6, Pick 207: Micah Morris, G, Georgia
With the Eagles’ fifth pick in the draft, they address the guard position on the O-line with Micah Morris from Georgia. With this prospect, he adds depth to the interior offensive line from a strong program. Guards from Georgia often bring solid fundamentals, and Micah Morris should compete for a backup role or a spot on the practice squad as he develops. This pick bolsters the trenches without using premium capital.
Grade: B-
Standard late-round OL depth addition: low risk, modest upside, and helpful for roster building.
Round 7, Pick 244: Cole Wisniewski, S, Texas Tech
With the Eagles’ sixth pick in the draft, they got another must on defense: safety Cole Wisniewski from Texas Tech. A bigger safety prospect who could transition to a hybrid or box role in Vic Fangio’s defense. Safety was a need area after the departure of Reed Blankinship, and Wisniewski brings size and potential versatility as a special teams contributor or depth piece.
Grade: B-
Late-round depth at a position of need; worth a shot for special teams and upside.
Round 7, Pick 251 (via Trade): Uar Bernard, DT, (International Pathway Program)
With the Eagles’ seventh pick in the draft, they took the second risk, drafting Defensive tackle Uar Bernard from the International Pathway Program. He is an athletic defensive tackle from Nigeria via the IPP. Bernard is a raw but intriguing developmental prospect with length and quickness. International pathway players often need time to adjust, but the upside for a late-round steal exists in the trenches.
Grade: C
Classic high-risk, high-reward international flier: minimal cost for potential future contribution.
Round 7, Pick 252: Keyshawn James-Newby, EDGE, New Mexico
With the last pick in the draft, the Eagles took a late add at edge rusher Keyshawn James-Newby out of New Mexico. This pick will help bring depth behind Nolan Smith and others. James-Newby brings pass-rush potential and could develop into a rotational piece or a special-teams player with the right coaching and skill development.
He will be a good fit as a backup on a strong defensive team.
Grade: C
Depth addition at a position where the Eagles added a veteran elsewhere; standard seventh-round value.
Overall 2026 NFL Draft Grade: B+
The Eagles prioritized offense early with a clear plan (WR and TE amid looming changes, plus OL investment for the future) and used later picks for depth and upside swings. The trade-up for Lemon was efficient, and the class has a good mix of immediate contributors and high-ceiling projects that will help boost the team at key positions they wanted to address during the offseason.
However, there are questions about some of the linemen drafted and how quickly the skill players integrate into Jalen Hurts’ offense.
I believe that Howie Roseman once again built a balanced, forward-thinking group without major reaches in this year’s draft. This class should help maintain the Eagles’ competitiveness in the NFC East while preparing for roster turnover during this offseason.
