The Philadelphia Eagles haven’t gone offense with a first-round draft pick since 2021, when they hit a home run with wide receiver DeVonta Smith at No. 10 overall.
Could 2026 be the first time in five years that the Eagles take another swing?
General manager Howie Roseman has loaded up on defensive dart throws over the past several drafts, and just about all of them have hit in the early rounds. From Jalen Carter and Nolan Smith Jr., to Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean, to Jihaad Campbell this year, the Eagles have ascending young players all over their defensive depth chart.
There’s plenty of room for more help on that side of the ball. Philadelphia could find itself thin at outside linebacker, cornerback, defensive tackle and safety in 2026. If Reed Blankenship walks as a free agent, for example, safety could shoot to the top of Philly’s wish list.
The offense is largely set after bringing back 10 of 11 starters this season. The wide receiver room, however, is always a hot topic of conversation for the Eagles, and 2026 could be the year that Roseman finally gets serious about addressing it.
NFL analyst targets wide receiver for the Philadelphia Eagles in 2026 mock draft
As every Eagles fan expected, the A.J. Brown “trade rumors” were put to bed by Roseman and the team this week. There’s no question who Philly’s top wide receiver tandem will be in 2026.
There’s obvious void forming at WR3, however.
Philadelphia has gotten decent returns from Jahan Dotson, who’s proven reliable when called upon as the fourth or fifth option in the passing game. He’s replaceable, though, and the Eagles have already declined his fifth-year option; Dotson will be among the team’s list of unrestricted free agents in 2026.
Roseman has taken multiple stabs at bolstering the wide receiver depth chart, both with low-key trades (like Dotson and John Metchie III) and Day 3 draft picks (like Ainias Smith and Johnny Wilson). Kris Knox of Bleacher Report believes he’ll act with more conviction in 2026 by targeting Louisville wide receiver Chris Bell in Round 1.
“DeVonta Smith is now the Philadelphia Eagles' WR1. A.J. Brown may be in a funk, but he's still more than capable. Even with both on the roster, the Eagles should be looking for yet another threat in the passing game.
“Brown hasn't found his footing this season. The 28-year-old veteran is on pace to finish the campaign with fewer than 1,000 receiving yards.
“General manager Howie Roseman can hedge by adding another physically impressive wide receiver to provide a similar presence.”
It would behoove the Eagles to find an immediate upgrade at wide receiver next offseason, and with the front office gearing up for some big financial decisions (like Jalen Carter’s looming extension), an impact player on a rookie-scale contract would be ideal.
They’ll have plenty of options beyond the first round. The Eagles are projected to have eight selections overall (including compensatory picks), including three on Day 2; all eight picks are expected to fall within the first five rounds.
Read more:Eagles 3-round 2026 NFL Mock Draft after surprising Jaelan Phillips trade
The Eagles could use more size and force at the wide receiver position, especially with Wilson working his way back from a season-ending injury. If he’s still on the board in the latter stages of the first round, Bell could be Roseman’s next draft steal (at a position that would get fans fired up).