The 2026 NFL Draft is over and the Eagles ended up selecting eight players over the seven rounds.
The Eagles started the draft by trading up three spots to select Makai Lemon. They had to give up both of their fourth-round picks in that trade but eventually aded a couple more seventh-rounders with a trade-down in the sixth.
Here’s a look at their complete haul from 2026:
Round 1-20: Makai Lemon, WR, USC
Round 2-54: Eli Stowers, TE, Vanderbilt
Round 3-68: Markel Bell, OT, Miami
Round 5-178: Cole Payton, QB, North Dakota State
Round 6-207: Micah Morris, OG, Georgia
Round 7-244: Cole Wisniewski, S, Texas Tech
Round 7-251: Uar Bernard, DT, Nigeria
Round 7-252: Keyshawn James-Newby, Edge, New Mexico
In addition to those selections, the Eagles also used 2026 picks and 2027 picks to acquire edge rusher Jonathan Greenard and receiver Dontayvion Wicks.
Here’s a roundup of their instant grades for this year’s haul:
What they said: “As draft week kicked off, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that A.J. Brown would very likely be in a Patriots uniform for 2026, though any trade would come after June 1, which means $43 million in dead cap money could be split between years. We’ve heard the Brown trade rumors for months, but this firmed things up a bit. So it was no surprise when Philadelphia moved up three spots to No. 20 to stop Makai Lemon’s mini slide. If you have any doubt a trade-up was needed to get him, look no further than the video circulating of Lemon on the phone with the Steelers, who had intended to take him at No. 21 before they learned the Eagles had jumped the line.
“Lemon (No. 11 on my board) is a tough, physical receiver despite his 5-11, 192-pound frame. He snags the ball on the run and turns upfield through traffic without fear, helping him to 1,156 yards in the 2025 season. He will match well with DeVonta Smith, Dontayvion Wicks and Hollywood Brown.
“Eli Stowers is another playmaker for the Sean Mannion offense, and he can be Dallas Goedert’s future replacement. Goedert is back, but he’s 31 years old and on a one-year deal. Next up, offensive tackle support with Markel Bell. Remember, general manager Howie Roseman likes to draft for future needs. There’s no guarantee that Stowers takes over for Goedert or Bell develops enough to take one of the tackle spots when 35-year-old Lane Johnson retires, but putting resources into those positions on Day 2 is good work by the Eagles front office. Bell is still developing, but he did a good job manning left tackle at Miami. Philly went down the board for him, but the top OTs were gone.”
What they said: “They jumped the Steelers for slot receiver extraordinaire Makai Lemon 20th overall. Second-round TE Eli Stowers projects as quite a weapon, even if he’s ultimately a plus-sized receiver. Mammoth fourth-round OT Markel Bell might inherit RT Lane Johnson’s job one day − soon. And leave it to EVP/GM Howie Roseman to also acquire a Pro Bowl pass rusher (Jonathan Greenard) at the cost of two third-rounders. WR A.J. Brown is almost certainly soon be a goner, while presumably fetching prized 2027 draft assets, but Philly seems pretty well positioned to evolve effectively without him.”
SI.com, Matt Verderame, Gilberto Manzano: A-
What they said: “The Eagles’ draft class is filled with intrigue. After doing dirty business with the hated Cowboys to trade up in the first round, the team finalized its post–A.J. Brown plans by selecting Lemon, the savvy playmaker with reliable hands. It’s going to be difficult to replace Brown’s production if he is traded after June 1, but the Eagles are in a good spot with the trio of Lemon, DeVonta Smith and Dontayvion Wicks. Philadelphia also added Stowers to give Jalen Hurts another playmaker. After GM Howie Roseman delivered in the draft, it’s on Hurts (and new OC Sean Mannion) to take this offense to another level, with or without Brown. Adding some drama, Roseman took a flyer on Payton, a dual-threat quarterback with upside.”
What they said: “The Eagles jumped ahead of the in-state rival Steelers for Lemon, sending two fourth-rounders to division foe Dallas to add the ultra-competitive receiver, giving up draft capital to secure a potential replacement for A.J. Brown despite Lemon’s average athleticism. Stowers was an excellent pick in the second round as a combo slot receiver/tight end, and the 6-9, 346-pound Bell should become at least a solid swing tackle. Their Day 2 grade also reflects their acquisition of edge rusher Jaelan Phillips in exchange for a third-round choice last season; he had two sacks in eight games with the Eagles before leaving as a free agent.
Even beyond the Lemon deal, Philly ended up dealing away a good chunk of its Day 3 capital, including a fifth-round pick sent to the Packers for receiver Dontayvion Wicks and fifth- and seventh-round picks given to the Vikings for Sam Howell last August. I projected the Eagles to take the left-handed Payton with the 178th overall pick in my seven-round mock as a long-term investment. Morris has starting potential, and Wisniewski’s nose for the ball and secure tackling could make him a similar late-round value as Reed Blankenship. Bernard’s a Nigerian prospect with little football experience but superior athleticism; the Eagles are surely hoping this international pick is as successful as the selection of left tackle Jordan Mailata back in 2018.”
What they said: “With the Steelers needing wide receiver, the Eagles jumped Pittsburgh to take the sliding Lemon. This is good value at a position of need for Philadelphia, as has often been the case in recent years. With a potential A.J. Brown trade looming, Lemon adds a player who can make tough catches over the middle of the field, as he recorded 10 receptions on 14 contested targets in 2025.Stowers is a natural, versatile athlete with a high usage rate over the past two seasons, projecting to a contributing NFL role. He is best utilized as a backfield or big-slot option rather than as an in-line blocker, where his impact is limited.”
Sporting News, Vinnie Iyer: B-
What they said: “Lemon comes with sudden bust potential as not the ideal type of target to replace A.J. Brown, but the combination of him and Stowers is good for the new offense of Sean Mannion. Bell and Payton, however, were big reaches. Bernard is the most intriguing pick after Stowers for GM Howie Roseman.”
About the Author
Discover more from USA NEWS
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
