Eagles face NFL Draft dilemma: WR depth or build the trenches

[ASFN Admin]

We are 14 days out from Day 1 of the NFL draft, and Philadelphia general manager Howie Roseman has swung the roster shaping pendulum toward the defense for 2026 and beyond. Nakobe Dean (Raiders), Reed Blankenship (Texans), Jaelan Phillips (Panthers), and Adoree' Jackson (free agency) have all departed. Marcus Epps is back, and the Birds added longtime veteran J.T. Gray to the backend after trading Sydney Brown. While there are new names to know, the bulk of a Super Bowl-caliber roster remains on offense. Still, this roster isn't perfect, and there are plenty of pieces to be added.

With uncertainty around A.J. Brown's future, ESPN believes the Eagles could consider an early wide receiver. Still, their identity—built on dominant line play—suggests the trenches remain the priority despite added weapons and depth concerns.

The Eagles view DeVonta Smith as a WR1 capable of thriving with a larger workload and added a couple of complementary veterans in Hollywood Brown and Elijah Moore. That said, the receiving corps would take an obvious hit if Brown is traded. But as much as skill position players have helped, the Eagles' long run of success has been largely predicated on the strength of their offensive and defensive lines.

The expectation here is for them to continue investing in the trenches in this draft, particularly after an injury-plagued season that ended with both right tackle Lane Johnson and guard Landon Dickerson pondering retirement. The organization has been disciplined in taking the best available player, but if it's close, the tiebreaker will likely go to the big men. -- Tim McManus

Philadelphia doesn't wait for decline—they prepare for it. That mindset could once again lead Philadelphia to prioritize offensive line help early in Round 1 for the first time since landing Lane Johnson. The Eagles have used picks on cornerbacks, linebackers, defensive tackles, and multiple other positions outside of the trenches, but that should change this April. Over the past three years, Philadelphia has used early draft capital on other key positions and hasn't drafted an offensive lineman in the first two rounds since Cam Jurgens in 2022.

Since 2011, the Eagles have used a first-round pick on a lineman three times and a second-round pick twice. Talented offensive linemen don't hit Free agency, and Philadelphia will use the next two drafts to secure optimal talent in the trenches, with Lane Johnson and Landon Dickerson closer to retirement than we think. Jordan Mailata has hinted at retirement, while Cam Jurgens will look to work back from a back injury.

This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: Will Eagles target WR early or stick to trenches in draft?

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