The combine is behind us, and the draft boards are starting to come into focus. The Eagles prioritize positions that are more likely to receive second contracts. This includes the trenches on both sides of the ball.
In last year’s draft, Howie Roseman went against the grain of his previous draft philosophy and selected an off-ball linebacker in round one, the first time since 1979, and a safety in round two. I would expect the Eagles to pivot back to the premium position on days one and two in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Note: I used what I believe is as close to their real draft status as possible at this time. Not always chalk or aligned with mock sims.
The Eagles draft starts off with a bang!
The Philadelphia Eagles traded pick 23 to Seattle for picks 32 and 96.
Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia, has been my favorite selection for the Eagles at OT, but it is hard to imagine him falling out of the top 18 picks, and unless Howie is making a big move up, I believe the Eagles pivot to another Philly Fit. Welcome, Blake Miller.
Blake is tough, versatile, and athletic. His technique suits the Eagles' desire for an OT who can be effective in pass pro as well as run blocking. He has previously stated that he has modeled his game after Lane Johnson and would welcome the opportunity to learn from him.
“Being able to kind of go pick his brain, get his opinion on technique, and then also to how he approaches taking on some of the league’s best rushers. I think that’d be awesome.”
The Eagles are gambling on the motor, the fit, and pro-ready run defense, traits that translate immediately to Vic Fangio’s edge rotation. He brings an explosive first step, heavy hands, disciplined containment ability, and the kind of culture fit that Howie Roseman prioritizes in the trenches. His 15.5% pressure rate, coupled with a 10.4% run block rate, will translate well in Philadelphia.
The Philadelphia Eagles traded pick 68 to Tampa Bay for 77 and 116.
Rutledge gives the Eagles a powerfully strong, hard-to-move scheme-versatile interior lineman. He has shown a strong anchor, violent hands, and the temperament to develop behind elite veterans. He’s ultra-competitive and fueled by a compelling comeback story.
Taaffe brings instincts, range, and the kind of smart, physical defensive back this staff covets. His ball skills and diagnostic speed make him an ideal depth piece with upside in sub-packages. His attitude is something Philly fans would fall in love with.
“My job is to take my opponent’s soul. That’s what I try to do. No matter if it’s my best friend or the guy I hate the most on this planet. That’s my job, that’s my goal.”
Hurst adds vertical juice and competitive toughness to the receiver room. In addition to stretching the field, he brings fluid hips and wins 50/50 balls by attacking the football in the air. His burst will help maximize quick-passing concepts and give the Eagles an affordable, explosive weapon.
Durant fits the Eagles’ mold of interior disruption with first-step quickness and high-end effort. He has been an explosive penetrator who can rotate early and develop into a situational pass-rush weapon. Moro Ojomo could be playing his final season, and they need to keep this pipeline flowing with youthful talent.
Delp gives Philadelphia a balanced tight end who is available at this stage of the draft due to being underutilized at Georgia. Delp has reliable hands, is assignment sound, and has the frame to grow into a complete in-line option. His willingness to block and red-zone feel make him a natural long-term complement in 12 personnel.
The Philadelphia Eagles traded picks 151 and 179 to Houston for pick 128.
Washington brings one-cut decisiveness and top speed acceleration, which he proved at the combine with a 4.33 forty, the fastest of any RB. He thrives in zone concepts that mirror the Eagles’ new ground game. His vision, contact balance, and low mileage profile make him an ideal rotational back with upside, who could also land the home run shots the city was accustomed to seeing during the 2024 season.
The Eagles end their draft in the 5th round with a QB. Taylen’s father has stated that his son reminds him of former Eagles QB Randall Cunningham, and his athletic testing at the combine gave those thoughts credence. Taylen Green’s 4.36 is officially the second-best time by a QB in Combine history, and he also shattered the QB vertical jump record. Green has a strong arm, is a dual-threat, and has the traits that could develop into a great QB for the Eagles.
Nine picks. Three trades. And by the time the league caught its breath from the flurry of trades, the Eagles had called their draft complete in the fifth round.
The six offensive pieces are not just bodies, but reliable weapons. They all have the traits you bet on because ceilings like theirs are what win teams' playoff games.
If even half of these bets pay off, the roster will be able to make another Super Bowl run. If most of them hit, the window doesn’t just stay open; it widens.
I gambled on 'Philly Fits', traits, projections, and a small side of calculated aggression.
Let me know what picks you would like to see Howie Roseman and the Eagles make in late April at the NFL Draft in Pittsburgh.
As always, thank you for reading!
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