Eagles Eyeing Offensive Talent in 2026 NFL Draft

Latest mock drafts have the Eagles targeting offensive linemen and tight ends with their first-round pick

Mar. 2, 2026 at 3:31pm

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The Philadelphia Eagles are preparing for the 2026 NFL Draft, with several recent mock drafts projecting the team to select an offensive lineman or tight end with their first-round pick. The Eagles have needs along the offensive line, especially with the potential retirement of veteran tackle Lane Johnson, and could look to find his long-term replacement. Additionally, the team may need to address the tight end position if they are unable to re-sign pending free agent Dallas Goedert. Several top prospects, including Arizona State's Max Iheanachor, Miami's Akheem Mesidor, and Oregon's Kenyon Sadiq, have been mocked to the Eagles at pick No. 23 overall.

Why it matters

The Eagles' offensive line and tight end positions are critical to the team's success, with quarterback Jalen Hurts relying heavily on the protection and receiving options provided by those units. Addressing those needs early in the draft could set the team up for continued contention in the NFC East and beyond.

The details

Several prominent mock drafts have the Eagles targeting offensive linemen and tight ends with their first-round pick. Nate Tice and Charles McDonald of Yahoo! Sports have the team selecting Arizona State tackle Max Iheanachor, who impressed at the NFL Scouting Combine with his size, athleticism, and potential. Akheem Mesidor of Miami and Cashius Howell of Texas A&M are also edge rushers that have been mocked to the Eagles, as the team looks to bolster its pass rush. Additionally, Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq has been projected to Philadelphia by both ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. and The Athletic's staff, as the team could look to replace the production of pending free agent Dallas Goedert.

  • The 2026 NFL Draft is scheduled for late April.

The players

Max Iheanachor

An offensive tackle from Arizona State who impressed at the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine with his size, athleticism, and potential.

Akheem Mesidor

An edge rusher from the University of Miami who led the ACC with 12.5 sacks in 2025.

Cashius Howell

An edge rusher from Texas A&M who showcased good speed and athleticism at the combine despite having shorter-than-average arm length.

Kenyon Sadiq

A tight end from the University of Oregon who had an impressive combine performance, running a 4.39 40-yard dash at 6'3", 241 lbs.

Dallas Goedert

The Eagles' current starting tight end who is set to become a free agent in the 2026 offseason.

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What they’re saying

“When picking for the Eagles under general manager Howie Roseman, defaulting to a pick in the trenches isn't the worst bet.”

— Nate Tice, Analyst (Yahoo! Sports)

“The Eagles could go in a lot of different directions, as well. If they trade A.J. Brown, they could even go receiver here. Instead, the value of Howell is too good to pass up.”

— Joseph Hoyt, Reporter (The Dallas Morning News)

“If Philadelphia doesn't bring back free agent Dallas Goedert, it would be smart to draft a top-end replacement. Quarterback Jalen Hurts found Goedert for a team-high 11 receiving touchdowns last season, and he was the third-most-targeted pass catcher on the roster.”

— Mel Kiper Jr., ESPN Analyst (ESPN)

What’s next

The Eagles will continue to evaluate prospects and prepare for the 2026 NFL Draft, which is scheduled for late April. The team will also need to make decisions on the futures of pending free agents like Dallas Goedert.

The takeaway

The Eagles' focus on the offensive side of the ball in recent mock drafts highlights the team's need to continue building around quarterback Jalen Hurts and address key positions like offensive line and tight end. With several talented prospects projected to be available at pick No. 23, the Eagles have an opportunity to add an impact player who can contribute immediately and help the team remain a contender in the NFC.