Five takeaways from the Eagles’ franchise-changing draft

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PHILADELPHIA — The 2026 NFL draft is over. Philadelphia Eagles GM Howie Roseman can rest. For now, at least.


It’s been a busy few days for Roseman and his staff.


The Eagles traded up on Thursday in dramatic fashion for first-round USC wide receiver Makai Lemon.


They drafted Vanderbilt tight end Eli Stowers and Miami offensive tackle Markel Bell and acquired Pro Bowl edge rusher Jonathan Greenard on Friday.


And on Saturday, they selected North Dakota State quarterback Cole Payton, Georgia guard Micah Morris, Texas Tech safety Cole Wisniewski, Nigerian prospect Uar Bernard and New Mexico edge Keyshawn James-Newby.


So the Eagles are coming away with eight new players to help them get back to the Super Bowl — and extend that window — after a disappointing 2025.


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Here are our biggest takeaways from what Roseman and the Eagles did on 2026 NFL draft weekend.


A much-needed offensive reset


The Eagles spent their Day 1 and 2 picks on offense. That was by design. Not only did they need more weapons with A.J. Brown on his way out of town, but the Eagles are about to commit a lot of money to one of the NFL’s top defenses.


Zack Baun got paid last offseason. Jordan Davis got a $78 million extension in March. Greenard got $100 million over four years. Jalen Carter, Cooper DeJean and Quinyon Mitchell are due to receive extensions in the near future. That’s a lot of dough. And that’s why the Eagles needed to key in on impact offensive players on rookie deals.

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Vanderbilt tight end Eli Stowers plays against Utah State during an NCAA football game on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)AP

Big swings on “unusual” traits


The Eagles’ Day 2 picks have their flaws; that’s why they weren’t first-rounders. Stowers is not a good blocker. Bell is a project with only one year of full-time starting experience.


But one word stuck with me when Roseman was talking about Stowers and Bell, who the Eagles hope will one day take over for Dallas Goedert and Lane Johnson, respectively.


“When we were studying both of those guys, the word ‘unusual’ came up a lot,” Roseman said. “Both of those guys are unusual. ... We know that these guys aren’t finished products. But really excited about what the ceilings could be with both of those guys.”


Stowers is a freak athlete; his broad jump and vertical jump numbers were the best in NFL Combine history at the tight end position. Bell, meanwhile, stands at 6-foot-9, 346 pounds.


Roseman could have taken safer prospects in the second and third rounds. But he’s betting on Stowers and Bell’s traits elevating them toward their sky-high ceilings.


Compensatory picks matter


Compensatory picks don’t get much shine or attention. Maybe it’s because they’re tough to follow. But comp picks are a big deal if you know how to use them. And the Eagles do.


When Milton Williams left last offseason, the NFL gave the Eagles the No. 98 pick in the third round of this year’s draft as compensation. Roseman knew he’d get one; that was part of the calculus behind dealing No. 87 to the Dolphins for Jaelan Phillips.


Phillips just left in free agency, but the Eagles will likely recoup a third-round comp pick in 2027. That helped Roseman trade a 2027 third and No. 98 overall for Greenard.

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Southern California wide receiver Makai Lemon poses with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being chosen by the Philadelphia Eagles with the 20th overall pick during the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 23, 2026, in Pittsburgh.(AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Dallas didn’t learn its lesson


It’s been half a decade since the Cowboys and Eagles traded with each other in the first round of the 2021 draft. The Eagles moved up from No. 12 to No. 10, just ahead of the Giants, to draft DeVonta Smith. Dallas pocketed an extra third-round pick, which was used to draft defensive tackle (and relative non-factor) Chauncey Golston.


For Dallas to do it again, giving the Eagles another Biletnikoff Award-winning wideout and getting only a couple fourth-round picks extra in exchange, was even more surprising. If Lemon pans out, maybe Jerry Jones will think long and hard about dealing with Roseman again.


Roseman is really good at this


The fact that the Cowboys traded with the Eagles on Thursday speaks to Roseman’s persuasion and relationship-building skills. Most heated rivals wouldn’t trade with each other, so I suppose it speaks to the Cowboys’ willingness to try to do what’s best for them, too.


But Dallas, after watching Smith be such an integral part of the Eagles’ Super Bowl LIX triumph, deciding to deal with Roseman again is a feather in his cap.

Eagles News​

• The Eagles are betting $100 million that this Pro Bowler will take them to ‘another level’ Apr. 27, 2026, 6:00a.m.
• The Eagles drafted a dual-threat QB. What does it mean for Jalen Hurts? Apr. 27, 2026, 5:00a.m.
• Eagles 53-man roster projection: Philly cuts bait with two recent trade acquisitions Apr. 26, 2026, 6:00a.m.
• Eagles sign Alabama defensive star who surprisingly went undrafted Apr. 26, 2026, 5:30a.m.

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