Philadelphia Eagles 2026 NFL Draft Recap And Grades

The Eagles traded up to secure the best player left on the board, Makai Lemon. The price to trade up three spots was not cheap; they gave up multiple round four picks to the Dallas Cowboys to get their guy.

Lemon is a physical receiver who won’t blow anyone away with speed, but still finds ways to get the job done. He is coming off a season with 79 receptions, 1156 yards, and 11 touchdowns. He was also a terrific punt returner during his time at USC.

The Eagles don’t escape the AJ Brown trade rumors with this pick; in fact, they only intensify. The selection of Lemon all but confirms that Brown will not be on the roster next season. Philadelphia has added multiple receivers to the room behind Devonta Smith in an attempt to fill the soon-to-be void left by Brown.

Grade: A-

Round 2 Pick 54: Eli Stowers, TE

Eli Stowers was a surprising selection when Philadelphia was on the clock at pick 54. They double up on pass catchers with their first two picks. He is seen by some as more of a bigger receiver than TE, but the Eagles must envision him at the TE spot. His blocking leaves much to be desired, but his receiving ability is undeniable.

Emmanuel McNeil-Warren was still available with this pick, leaving some confused with the selection. Safety is a much bigger need right now for Philadelphia, but the tight end position of the future did need to be addressed. Not a terrible selection by any means, but could’ve been another A grade if they went with McNeil-Warren.

Grade B-

Round 3 Pick 68: Markel Bell, OT

Markel Bell is the most “Eagles pick” there could be. He is easily the biggest player in the draft, standing at over 6’9 and weighing nearly 350 pounds. This pick may seem like a reach considering where reports had him going, but Roseman gets his guy no matter what. If he pans out, he could be the Lane Johnson replacement in the near future.

Grade: B+

Trade For Jonathan Greenard

Jonathan Greenard to the Eagles has been rumored for months, and the two sides finally agreed to a deal on day two. Philadelphia traded away a third-rounder this year (pick 98) and a 2027 third for Greenard and a seventh this year (pick 244). This deal gives the Eagles a true number one rusher off the EDGE and forms a great trio alongside Nolan Smith Jr. and Jalyx Hunt. Greenard also received a 4-year $100 million extension ($50 guaranteed) with the deal.

Grade: A

Round 5 Pick 178: Cole Payton, QB

Cole Payton is the latest addition to the Eagles QB factory. He is not the best passer in the class, but his physical running style has him projected to fit the Taysom Hill role. There were a few defensive players Philadelphia could’ve added, but they elected to choose their fourth offensive player in a row.

Payton will join Jalen Hurts and Andy Dalton in the 2026 QB room. Tanner McKee is still on the roster, but a trade is expected before the start of the season. If no trade comes to fruition, Payton may not make the 53-man roster.

Grade: C+

Round 6 Pick 207: Micah Morris, OG

Micah Morris is an interior offensive lineman from the Georgia Bulldogs. Another offensive player selected for the Eagles, this time they further address the trenches. Morris is a physical lineman whose cons come more from the technical side of his game than from his athleticism. These are the players teams should target late in the draft. If they’re paired with a good coach, they could turn out to be something. In his three seasons at Georgia, he did not allow a sack in over 900 pass blocking snaps.

Grade: B+

Round 7 Pick 244: Cole Wisniewski, S

Cole Wisniewski, a safety from the Texas Tech Red Raiders, finally ends the run of offensive players from the Eagles. At 6’4, he is a former linebacker who made the transition to safety in 2023. He lacks the speed and coverage ability to impact in a traditional safety role in the NFL. With that being said, his linebacker skills show up in the run game and make him a very intriguing player in a hybrid-type role. Wisniewski’s size makes him a perfect matchup for TEs, something Philly has lacked in recent years. He will be someone to watch in camp as he battles for a roster spot.

Grade: C+

Round 7 Pick 251: Uar Bernard, DT

Uar Bernard is the perfect round seven draft pick. The athletic freak from Nigeria has never played football before, but his athletic profile is among the best ever seen. He stands at 6’5 310 pounds. His body fat percentage is a measly 6%. He ran a 4.63 40, had a 39-inch vert, and a 10’10” broad jump. Bernard had a RAS score of 9.90. If he learns the sport, this will be a steal similar to the drafting of Jordan Mailata in 2018.

Grade: A+

Round 7 Pick 252: Keyshawn James-Newby, EDGE

Keyshawn James-Newby is small compared to the typical NFL EDGE rusher. He wins using his burst off the line. His size will really hurt him when going against NFL competition, making his training camp journey to make the roster a tough one.

Grade: C-

End Of My Philadelphia Eagles Rant

The Eagles continue to hit home run after home run in the draft. They are able to fill gaps in the roster before they even open, almost like a big game of chess. They know what to do two or three years in advance. Another great offseason from Roseman further solidifies him as the best GM in the league.

Overall grade: B+/A-