How would you grade this projection?
The 2025 Philadelphia Eagles season is over, almost mercifully. With the end of a disappointing year comes optimism for an offseason for the team to change, improve, and add some new faces. As of today, the Eagles hold eight picks in the 2026 NFL Draft, including the 23rd overall selection and four picks in the top 100. This draft is deep where the Eagles need it to be: offensive line and defensive skill positions. It could be a great chance for them to add a ton of young talent where the roster (and cap) needs.
I do this simulation column every year to sort of track the changes in Eagles needs, players draft stocks, and possible pick movement. We are months and months away from the draft, so things are definitely subject to change with exhibition games, private workouts, interviews, and the combine still ahead. But as it stands today, here is how I would navigate the Eagles eight picks in the 2026 draft.
Simulation run using the Pro Football Focus Mock Draft Simulation. No trades.
Pick 1.23: Kadyn Proctor, Offensive Lineman, Alabama
There are many reasons the Eagles struggled on offense this year and health in the trenches was a big factor. The Eagles really felt the injury to Lane Johnson and the fact that the interior offensive line was never fully healthy. They need to get younger in the trenches and Kadyn Proctor makes a ton of sense in the first round. At 6’7”, 330+ pounds, Proctor looks the part of the next great Eagles tackle. He played 40 games at Alabama, all at left tackle and got better every one of his three years. He could be a tremendous heir apparent for Lane Johnson with the potential to start at right guard in the meantime if the Eagles feel his height won’t be a liability inside.
Pick 2.54: Eli Stowers, Tight End, Vanderbilt
Eli Stowers is a guy I am going to probably pound the table for all offseason. Dallas Goedert is a free agent and even if AJ Brown returns, the Eagles need a third guy in their passing game. Stowers is smaller as a tight end at 6’4”, 235 pounds and probably will struggle with in-line blocking… but god what a mismatch this player could be with the right offensive coordinator. With his combination of size and athleticism, he will be too fast for linebackers to cover and too big for most cornerbacks to play at the catch point. He is agile after the catch and can win all over the field. I honestly think he goes much higher than this after the combine, but right now I can dream.
Pick 3.68: D’Angelo Ponds, Cornerback, Indiana
Since the 2021 draft, Howie Roseman has become dialed in on drafting players from the best programs in the country. In that time frame, the Eagles drafted eight players from a reigning national championship team. On top of that there has just generally been more of an emphasis on drafting guys from Blue Chips Schools. Since 2021, the Eagles have drafted tons of players from Georgia, Alabama, Michigan, Clemson, and Texas.
Well there’s a new top program in the country. The Indiana Hoosiers are loaded with future NFL players on both sides of the ball and that’s a big reason they are 15-0 headed into a national title game this weekend. I expect the Eagles to dip into that talent pool at least once this spring.
D’Angelo Ponds might be undersized at 5’9”, 170 pounds but he has dominated Big 10 receivers for the last two years, shutting out some very talented players. Since the beginning of the 2024 season, Ponds has been targeted 115 times on 892 coverage snaps and only allowed a single touchdown while picking off five passes, all as a boundary receiver. He is smart, athletic and physical. The Eagles have a huge hole in their secondary at the third cornerback spot and Ponds could push to play outside cornerback with Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean holding down the other spots.
Pick 3.98: Mikail Kamara, Edge Defender, Indiana
The Eagles draft a second Hoosier in this simulation. Mikail Kamara hasn’t put up impressive sack numbers to follow up his 2024 season where he had 10, but he actually has had more hurries this season. Kamara is a twitchy, high motor defender who makes up for his lack of length with a high level of effort. For an Eagles team that needs more youth and juice at edge, Kamara makes a ton of sense as a role player behind Jalyx Hunt and Nolan Smith.
Pick 4.122: Kaytron Allen, Running Back, Penn State
Even with Tank Bigsby looking impressive in small samples this season, the Eagles could still build out their running back room a bit more. Saquon Barkley took a step back this year and Will Shipley has failed to impress in two seasons. Meanwhile, Kayton Allen would bring a much needed physicality as an inside runner. He is athletic, but does his best work between tackles wearing down defenses. He could be a great complement to Saquon Barkley and could eventually take over as a lead back.
Pick 4.136: Bryce Lance, Wide Receiver, North Dakota State
No matter what happens with AJ Brown this offseason, the Eagles need to keep adding youth to their wide receiver group. Bryce Lance is physically impressive at 6’3” and nearly 210 pounds. In the last two seasons, Lance has caught 126 passes for 2,148 yards and 25 touchdowns while averaging over 17 yards per catch. He could immediately come in and push for snaps at WR3 and contribute early as a big play threat.
Pick 5.151 Earnest Greene III, Offensive Lineman, Georgia
Earnest Greene III came to Georgia with high expectations that he never really met. Despite being a three year starter at left and right tackle, Greene battled through injuries and inconsistent play. That being said, he is still talented at 6’4”, 320 pounds. He has long, strong arms and plays with a lot of intensity. He could be a guard in the NFL with the right coaching, and that’s coaching he could get in Philadelphia.
Pick 5.179: Vincent Anthony Jr, Edge Defender, Duke
As the Eagles continue to reload on defense, Vincent Anthony Junior feels like a great late round swing. He is a toolsy player at 6’6” and nearly 260 pounds. He has long arms and a great motor. He was inconsistent at Duke, but would be a great project player for the Eagles staff.
Category: General Sports
