It’s never too early to look ahead to the 2026 NFL draft.
Each week, we’ll take a look at five college prospects — ranging from first-round talents to late-round fliers — who the Philadelphia Eagles could reasonably target in the draft.
Last week, we dropped the ball and didn’t publish a list. So we’re making up for it now with 10 Eagles prospects to keep an eye on during Week 6 of the college football season.
(All heights and weights are according to college bios.)
Anthony Smith, EDGE, Minnesota, #0
Matchup: Minnesota at No. 1 Ohio State
How to watch: Saturday, 7:30 p.m., NBC
Measurables: 6-foot-6, 285 pounds
Thoughts: Smith is one the most underrated edge rushers in the Big Ten. After racking up 11 1/2 tackles for loss in 2024, the Shippensburg native has 4 1/2 sacks through four games this year. Smith has a massive opportunity against Ohio State to impress NFL scouts — and the Eagles, in particular, who will be targeting pass rush help in April.
Caden Curry, EDGE, Ohio State, #92
Matchup: Minnesota at No. 1 Ohio State
How to watch: Saturday, 7:30 p.m., NBC
Measurables: 6-foot-3, 260 pounds
Thoughts: Curry wasn’t on many people’s radars before his monster game vs. Washington last week (11 tackles, five TFLs, three sacks). Curry was getting mostly undrafted free agent grades before the season, per The Athletic’s Dane Brugler. But now? Curry is looking like a late-round option for the Eagles. We’ll see if he can follow up last week’s performance.
Germie Bernard, WR, Alabama, #5
Matchup: No. 16 Vanderbilt at No. 10 Alabama
How to watch: Saturday, 3:30 p.m., ABC
Measurables: 6-foot-1, 204 pounds
Thoughts: A lot of teams will be targeting Alabama star sophomore Ryan Williams in the 2027 draft. But Bernard has been better this season. The Washington transfer has thrived in Kalen DeBoer’s system (20 catches, 315 yards, four TDs). The sure-handed target is a technician and would fit seamlessly as the Eagles’ WR3 behind A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith. We also know Howie Roseman isn’t shy about targeting ultra-productive players from Alabama.
Eli Stowers, TE, Vanderbilt, #9
Matchup: No. 16 Vanderbilt at No. 10 Alabama
How to watch: Saturday, 3:30 p.m., ABC
Measurables: 6-foot-4, 235 pounds
Thoughts: Dallas Goedert is under contract for the rest of this season, so it’s reasonable to expect the Eagles will target a tight end in the 2026 draft. Stowers entered the season as one of the top options at his position, and he’s lived up to the billing with 22 catches for 301 yards and two touchdowns. If Vandy springs the upset at Bama, Stowers will be a big reason why.
Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami, #61
Matchup: No. 3 Miami at No. 18 Florida State
How to watch: Saturday, 7:30 p.m., ABC
Measurables: 6-foot-6, 335 pounds
Thoughts: Mauigoa is a highly-regarded first-round talent, so he might not even be available by time the Eagles are on the clock. But Lane Johnson is 35 years old, and Roseman has to be thinking about a succession plan. Mauigoa, a force in the ground game and an anchor at right tackle for the Hurricanes, would be an excellent option.
Kage Casey, OT, Boise State, #77
Matchup: Boise State at No. 21 Notre Dame
How to watch: Saturday, 3:30 p.m., NBC
Measurables: 6-foot-5, 311 pounds
Thoughts: Casey was an All-American in 2024. But after struggling vs. Abdul Carter, Dani Dennis-Sutton and Penn State’s pass rush in the CFP quarterfinals, he hasn’t looked all that great this year. Saturday’s game at Notre Dame might be his last opportunity to show his NFL potential against top competition before playing a cupcake Mountain West schedule.
Austin Barber, OT, Florida, #58
Matchup: No. 9 Texas at Florida
How to watch: Saturday, 3:30 p.m., ESPN
Measurables: 6-foot-6, 314 pounds
Thoughts: The Gators’ offense has been a trainwreck this season, and that’ll likely remain the case against a salty Texas defense. But Barber has impressed amid Florida’s struggles and was especially good against LSU’s athletic edge rushers a couple weeks back. This will be a major test against Collin Simmons, Trey Moore and the Texas pass rush.
Chris Johnson, CB, San Diego State, #1
Matchup: Colorado State at San Diego State
How to watch: Friday, 10:30 p.m., CBS Sports Network
Measurables: 6-foot, 195 pounds
Thoughts: If you have some free time on Friday night, check out one of the best corners in the country. Johnson might not get a lot of buzz given the lower level of competition, but his PFF coverage grade (91.4) is tops among FBS corners. The Eagles will be looking to bolster their CB2 competition in this draft, and Johnson is poised to be a Senior Bowl standout.
DJ McKinney, CB, Colorado, #8
Matchup: Colorado at TCU
How to watch: Saturday, 7:30 p.m., FOX
Measurables: 6-foot-2, 180 pounds
Thoughts: McKinney entered the season with some first-round buzz, which has since quieted with his inconsistent play. But he’ll have a chance to showcase what he can — or can’t — do against TCU. Horned Frogs QB Josh Hoover is averaging 310.5 passing yards per game, sixth-most in the FBS. McKinney will have plenty of opportunities to make his mark.
Luke Altmyer, QB, Illinois, #9
Matchup: No. 22 Illinois at Purdue
How to watch: Saturday, noon, Big Ten Network
Measurables: 6-foot-2, 215 pounds
Thoughts: We wrap up with a quarterback. There’s a good chance Roseman will trade Tanner McKee to a team needing a starting QB, leaving the Eagles looking for a backup to Jalen Hurts. Rookie Kyle McCord did not impress at all this summer. Maybe the Eagles will take another late-round stab at a QB like Altmyer. The 22-year-old has impressed so far in his final year at Illinois, completing 71.4% of his passes for 1,183 yards, 11 TDs and zero interceptions.
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