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The Eagles enter the 2026 season with one of the NFL's deepest rosters and a philosophy of building that consistently prioritizes player development, particularly during the transition from Year 1 to Year 2. Philadelphia has built a sustainable contender by identifying premium traits, investing heavily in the draft, and allowing young talent to grow into greater responsibilities rather than forcing immediate returns.
That organizational model has fueled sustained success under executive vice president and general manager Howie Roseman, particularly on defense, where the Eagles have repeatedly trusted coaching infrastructure and long-term development over short-term solutions. The next wave of contributors could become increasingly important as Philadelphia balances veteran contracts, future cap considerations, and succession planning across multiple position groups.
Training camp and preseason work often determine how quickly those transitions happen, but organized team activities can provide the first indications regarding who appears ready to assume a larger role.
Here are five second-year Eagles players positioned to make the biggest leap during the 2026 season.
Few young Eagles defenders appear positioned for a larger jump entering Year 2 than Jihaad Campbell, even as the linebacker continues working back from a shoulder injury that will likely delay his offseason participation.
Vic Fangio recently told John Clark of NBC Sports Philadelphia that Campbell is not expected to participate significantly until training camp, marking the second consecutive offseason where the former Alabama standout will enter camp needing to accelerate development following a missed spring period. Campbell underwent a shoulder procedure before the NFL draft last year and spent much of his rookie offseason catching up after arriving late to football activities.
The circumstances did little to slow his long-term trajectory.
Philadelphia selected Campbell in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft, making him the franchise's first off-ball linebacker selected during the opening round since Jerry Robinson in 1979. The investment reflected the organization's conviction in Campbell's versatility and long-term fit within Fangio's defensive structure.
Campbell rewarded that confidence quickly.
The Erial, New Jersey native appeared in all 17 games as a rookie while starting 10 contests and finishing with 80 tackles, one interception, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery. His 76.2 Pro Football Focus grade ranked 13th among NFL linebackers despite entering the season with limited developmental runway. Philadelphia's comfort level with its linebacker corps illustrates how highly Campbell is viewed internally.
Nakobe Dean's departure in free agency created a potential opening, and Campbell's emergence represents a significant reason the Eagles believe they can maintain defensive continuity without aggressively pursuing veteran replacements. Fangio values intelligence, range, and positional versatility at linebacker, and Campbell possesses the athletic profile necessary to become a foundational piece within Philadelphia's defensive structure. The biggest challenge entering Year 2 involves availability and refinement rather than opportunity.
The Eagles believed Drew Mukuba could stabilize the safety position immediately after selecting him in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft, and the rookie validated those expectations before an injury interrupted his first season.
Mukuba opened his career by earning a starting role immediately and held that position through the first 11 games before suffering a broken ankle during a Week 12 matchup against Dallas. The injury ended what had become one of Philadelphia's more encouraging rookie developments. Five months removed from the injury, Mukuba appears healthy entering offseason work and positioned to resume a role that had already become increasingly important inside Fangio's defense. Before landing on injured reserve, Mukuba recorded 46 tackles, three pass breakups, and two interceptions, demonstrating instincts and range that gave Philadelphia greater schematic flexibility. His first NFL interception came against Patrick Mahomes in Week 2 and prevented a red-zone touchdown opportunity, providing an early indication of how quickly the former second-round selection adjusted to NFL speed.
The Eagles have invested heavily in maintaining defensive flexibility over recent seasons, particularly in the secondary, where interchangeable pieces allow Fangio to disguise coverages and create matchup advantages.
Mukuba fits that blueprint naturally. A healthy offseason combined with Year 2 growth could place him among Philadelphia's more important defensive risers.
Philadelphia's defensive tackle pipeline remains one of the organization's defining strengths, but breaking into that rotation remains among the NFL's more difficult challenges.
Ty Robinson enters his second season attempting exactly that. The Eagles return Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis, and Moro Ojomo to the defensive tackle depth chart, limiting opportunities for younger contributors seeking larger defensive workloads. Robinson understands that reality is entering Year 2. Philadelphia selected Robinson because of his physical profile and developmental upside, but rookie opportunities remained limited. Before Week 18, Robinson logged only 53 defensive snaps and another 29 special teams snaps while appearing in 10 games.
The Eagles traditionally develop defensive linemen patiently. Carter emerged immediately, but Philadelphia has historically preferred to allow interior defensive players time to acclimate physically and technically before expanding their responsibilities. The organization believes that defensive line depth drives sustained success, particularly late in the season when rotational strength becomes increasingly important. Robinson enters camp competing for the fourth defensive tackle role. Year 2 typically determines whether young defensive linemen begin entering larger organizational plans.
Philadelphia's offensive line operation remains one of football's premier developmental environments, creating an opportunity for Willie Lampkin to emerge as a meaningful contributor entering his second season. The Eagles claimed Lampkin because of developmental upside and positional flexibility, but injuries prevented meaningful progress after his arrival. Days after joining Philadelphia, Lampkin landed on injured reserve following ankle and knee injuries suffered during the preseason. The setback interrupted the momentum built during training camp.
Lampkin originally signed with the Rams as an undrafted free agent following a decorated college career at North Carolina that included First Team All-ACC recognition, First Team All-American honors, and the Jacobs Blocking Trophy, awarded annually to the ACC's top blocker. Philadelphia values offensive line depth as much as any organization in football. Jeff Stoutland helped establish that philosophy over more than a decade, and maintaining developmental infrastructure remains critical as the Eagles transition into a new coaching era up front. Lampkin enters Year 2 healthy and competing inside one of the NFL's most demanding position groups.
Philadelphia consistently creates roster opportunities for developmental offensive linemen who demonstrate versatility and reliability.
The Eagles continued their longstanding affinity for Georgia defenders by selecting Smael Mondon Jr. during the fifth round of last spring's NFL draft, adding another athletic linebacker prospect to Philadelphia's developmental pipeline.
Mondon arrives with traits that Philadelphia consistently prioritizes defensively. A former two-sport athlete and high school track performer, Mondon helped Georgia capture multiple national championships while demonstrating range and closing speed that fit naturally within modern defensive concepts. Injuries complicated portions of his final two collegiate seasons but did little to impact production. Mondon recorded 57 tackles, three sacks, and three pass breakups during his final season at Georgia, while producing 39 tackles and three sacks during the Bulldogs' final five contests.
The Eagles continue emphasizing speed and versatility defensively. Fangio values linebackers capable of handling multiple responsibilities without sacrificing athletic flexibility, and Philadelphia has consistently pursued developmental defenders who fit that philosophy. The Eagles believe sustained roster success comes from developing younger contributors before immediate need forces difficult decisions. Campbell and Mukuba already appear positioned for major roles entering Year 2, while Robinson, Lampkin, and Mondon enter critical developmental stretches that could shape roster construction decisions beyond 2026. Philadelphia's roster remains deep enough to avoid forcing immediate answers.
That depth also creates the environment where meaningful Year 2 leaps often occur.
This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: 5 Eagles entering Year 2 who could surge in 2026 season
Continue reading...
That organizational model has fueled sustained success under executive vice president and general manager Howie Roseman, particularly on defense, where the Eagles have repeatedly trusted coaching infrastructure and long-term development over short-term solutions. The next wave of contributors could become increasingly important as Philadelphia balances veteran contracts, future cap considerations, and succession planning across multiple position groups.
Training camp and preseason work often determine how quickly those transitions happen, but organized team activities can provide the first indications regarding who appears ready to assume a larger role.
Here are five second-year Eagles players positioned to make the biggest leap during the 2026 season.
Jihaad Campbell
Few young Eagles defenders appear positioned for a larger jump entering Year 2 than Jihaad Campbell, even as the linebacker continues working back from a shoulder injury that will likely delay his offseason participation.
Vic Fangio recently told John Clark of NBC Sports Philadelphia that Campbell is not expected to participate significantly until training camp, marking the second consecutive offseason where the former Alabama standout will enter camp needing to accelerate development following a missed spring period. Campbell underwent a shoulder procedure before the NFL draft last year and spent much of his rookie offseason catching up after arriving late to football activities.
The circumstances did little to slow his long-term trajectory.
Philadelphia selected Campbell in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft, making him the franchise's first off-ball linebacker selected during the opening round since Jerry Robinson in 1979. The investment reflected the organization's conviction in Campbell's versatility and long-term fit within Fangio's defensive structure.
Campbell rewarded that confidence quickly.
The Erial, New Jersey native appeared in all 17 games as a rookie while starting 10 contests and finishing with 80 tackles, one interception, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery. His 76.2 Pro Football Focus grade ranked 13th among NFL linebackers despite entering the season with limited developmental runway. Philadelphia's comfort level with its linebacker corps illustrates how highly Campbell is viewed internally.
Nakobe Dean's departure in free agency created a potential opening, and Campbell's emergence represents a significant reason the Eagles believe they can maintain defensive continuity without aggressively pursuing veteran replacements. Fangio values intelligence, range, and positional versatility at linebacker, and Campbell possesses the athletic profile necessary to become a foundational piece within Philadelphia's defensive structure. The biggest challenge entering Year 2 involves availability and refinement rather than opportunity.
Drew Mukuba
The Eagles believed Drew Mukuba could stabilize the safety position immediately after selecting him in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft, and the rookie validated those expectations before an injury interrupted his first season.
Mukuba opened his career by earning a starting role immediately and held that position through the first 11 games before suffering a broken ankle during a Week 12 matchup against Dallas. The injury ended what had become one of Philadelphia's more encouraging rookie developments. Five months removed from the injury, Mukuba appears healthy entering offseason work and positioned to resume a role that had already become increasingly important inside Fangio's defense. Before landing on injured reserve, Mukuba recorded 46 tackles, three pass breakups, and two interceptions, demonstrating instincts and range that gave Philadelphia greater schematic flexibility. His first NFL interception came against Patrick Mahomes in Week 2 and prevented a red-zone touchdown opportunity, providing an early indication of how quickly the former second-round selection adjusted to NFL speed.
The Eagles have invested heavily in maintaining defensive flexibility over recent seasons, particularly in the secondary, where interchangeable pieces allow Fangio to disguise coverages and create matchup advantages.
Mukuba fits that blueprint naturally. A healthy offseason combined with Year 2 growth could place him among Philadelphia's more important defensive risers.
Ty Robinson
Philadelphia's defensive tackle pipeline remains one of the organization's defining strengths, but breaking into that rotation remains among the NFL's more difficult challenges.
Ty Robinson enters his second season attempting exactly that. The Eagles return Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis, and Moro Ojomo to the defensive tackle depth chart, limiting opportunities for younger contributors seeking larger defensive workloads. Robinson understands that reality is entering Year 2. Philadelphia selected Robinson because of his physical profile and developmental upside, but rookie opportunities remained limited. Before Week 18, Robinson logged only 53 defensive snaps and another 29 special teams snaps while appearing in 10 games.
The Eagles traditionally develop defensive linemen patiently. Carter emerged immediately, but Philadelphia has historically preferred to allow interior defensive players time to acclimate physically and technically before expanding their responsibilities. The organization believes that defensive line depth drives sustained success, particularly late in the season when rotational strength becomes increasingly important. Robinson enters camp competing for the fourth defensive tackle role. Year 2 typically determines whether young defensive linemen begin entering larger organizational plans.
Willie Lampkin
Philadelphia's offensive line operation remains one of football's premier developmental environments, creating an opportunity for Willie Lampkin to emerge as a meaningful contributor entering his second season. The Eagles claimed Lampkin because of developmental upside and positional flexibility, but injuries prevented meaningful progress after his arrival. Days after joining Philadelphia, Lampkin landed on injured reserve following ankle and knee injuries suffered during the preseason. The setback interrupted the momentum built during training camp.
Lampkin originally signed with the Rams as an undrafted free agent following a decorated college career at North Carolina that included First Team All-ACC recognition, First Team All-American honors, and the Jacobs Blocking Trophy, awarded annually to the ACC's top blocker. Philadelphia values offensive line depth as much as any organization in football. Jeff Stoutland helped establish that philosophy over more than a decade, and maintaining developmental infrastructure remains critical as the Eagles transition into a new coaching era up front. Lampkin enters Year 2 healthy and competing inside one of the NFL's most demanding position groups.
Philadelphia consistently creates roster opportunities for developmental offensive linemen who demonstrate versatility and reliability.
Smael Mondon Jr.
The Eagles continued their longstanding affinity for Georgia defenders by selecting Smael Mondon Jr. during the fifth round of last spring's NFL draft, adding another athletic linebacker prospect to Philadelphia's developmental pipeline.
Mondon arrives with traits that Philadelphia consistently prioritizes defensively. A former two-sport athlete and high school track performer, Mondon helped Georgia capture multiple national championships while demonstrating range and closing speed that fit naturally within modern defensive concepts. Injuries complicated portions of his final two collegiate seasons but did little to impact production. Mondon recorded 57 tackles, three sacks, and three pass breakups during his final season at Georgia, while producing 39 tackles and three sacks during the Bulldogs' final five contests.
The Eagles continue emphasizing speed and versatility defensively. Fangio values linebackers capable of handling multiple responsibilities without sacrificing athletic flexibility, and Philadelphia has consistently pursued developmental defenders who fit that philosophy. The Eagles believe sustained roster success comes from developing younger contributors before immediate need forces difficult decisions. Campbell and Mukuba already appear positioned for major roles entering Year 2, while Robinson, Lampkin, and Mondon enter critical developmental stretches that could shape roster construction decisions beyond 2026. Philadelphia's roster remains deep enough to avoid forcing immediate answers.
That depth also creates the environment where meaningful Year 2 leaps often occur.
This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: 5 Eagles entering Year 2 who could surge in 2026 season
Continue reading...
