Who Should the Eagles Draft in the First Round of the 2026 NFL Draft?
The Eagles hold the 23rd pick and have multiple pressing needs. Here are the best fits — ranked — for Howie Roseman on draft night in Pittsburgh.
Eagles' key needs entering the draft:
After a busy free agency that brought in CB Tariq Woolen, WR Hollywood Brown, and re-signed TE Dallas Goedert, Philadelphia's roster picture is clearer than it's been in years. But there are still clear gaps that a first-round pick must address.
Offensive tackle (urgent)
Edge rusher (urgent)
Safety (high)
Wide receiver (medium)
Interior OL (medium)
Best first-round fits for the Eagles
Option 1
Monroe Freeling — OT, Georgia
Offensive Tackle · 6'5" · 312 lbs · Draft range: 15–25
With Lane Johnson turning 36 in May and having missed almost half of the 2025 season, finding his long-term replacement is the Eagles' single most pressing draft priority.
Monroe Freeling is the name that keeps coming up. His performance at the combine was eye-catching — excellent feet, clean mirror mechanics against pass rushers, and the athleticism to execute the reach blocks required in an outside zone scheme.
He also crushed run-blocking assignments at Georgia, showing he can anchor against power and track linebackers in space.
Option 2
Blake Miller — OT, Clemson
Offensive Tackle · 6'6" · 316 lbs · Draft range: 18–28
The All-ACC right tackle is getting more buzz as draft week approaches, and multiple mock drafts from the Inquirer and A to Z Sports have him landing at #23.
Eagles brass has reportedly shown significant interest in offensive linemen during the combine process and on the pre-draft visit circuit, and Miller checks all the boxes.
He's a polished, technically sound blocker who could start at right tackle immediately and serve as the long-term solution as Johnson winds down his career.
Option 3
Keldric Faulk — EDGE, Auburn
Edge Rusher · 6'4" · 248 lbs · Draft range: 20–30
After trading Jaelan Phillips to the Dolphins, the Eagles have a real need off the edge. Faulk is young, long, and twitchy — exactly the kind of developmental edge prospect Howie Roseman has historically coveted with first-round capital.
He won't be a Day 1 starter but has the traits to become a high-end pass rusher with time. The Eagles' coaching staff has proven they can develop edge talent, making the risk calculus more palatable.
Option 4
Caleb Lomu — OL, Utah
Offensive Lineman · 6'5" · 311 lbs · Draft range: 20–30
With the Eagles reportedly moving to a full outside zone rushing scheme under OC Sean Mannion, linemen who can move and block in space become premium.
Lomu fits the bill. He can slide inside to right guard early and eventually replace Johnson at tackle — giving Roseman positional versatility across multiple contract cycles.
A smart, high-floor pick if the top tackles are already off the board.
The verdict: what should the Eagles do?
If Monroe Freeling or Blake Miller are on the board at 23, the pick makes itself — take the tackle.
If both are gone, Keldric Faulk gives the Eagles an exciting developmental edge rusher with prototypical traits.
A trade-back is always possible — this class has enough depth that sliding back a few spots for extra Day 2 capital is very much on the table for Roseman.
Don't sleep on a surprise safety pick: Howie Roseman himself admitted the team still needs to address safety, and Dillon Thieneman could be in play if he slides.
Adam Martin