NFL writer questions the Eagles' third-round selection of Markel Bell
Eagles earn a lower-than-normal draft grade with one second-day selection coming under scrutiny.
The Philadelphia Eagles aren’t used to this. Year after year, their draft classes and their organization are praised. Year after year, Howie Roseman is mentioned among the league’s best when it comes to working the board and identifying value.
That’s what makes the latest evaluation stand out. One selection in particular was placed under the magnifying glass. Pete Prisco handed Philadelphia a C+ for its 2026 draft class , a grade that feels out of character for a front office that, this offseason, has typically lived in the “A” or “B” range .
While there was enough praise from Prisco to go around (he loved the decision to trade up for Makai Lemon ), one pick didn’t quite land. He names the third-round selection of Markel Bell as Philadelphia's worst of the eight that they made. Aggressively moving up the board to secure Makai Lemon earned strong marks.
It was vintage Eagles and vintage Howie Roseman. It was calculated, decisive, and rooted in value. When a top-tier talent slipped, this organization didn’t hesitate.