Eagles sign three more rookies after the Makai Lemon deal
Eagles sign four draft picks ahead of rookie minicamp, including Makai Lemon and late-round additions, continuing a fast start to rookie deals.
The Philadelphia Eagles are wasting no time getting their rookie class in place, signing four draft picks ahead of the rookie minicamp in a strong show of organizational efficiency. Just hours after inking first-round wide receiver Makai Lemon to his rookie deal, Philadelphia followed up by signing fifth-round pick Cole Payton, seventh-round pick Cole Wisniewski, and seventh-round selection Keyshawn James-Newby. The quick wave of signings is a yearly fixture with Howie Roseman and ensures a large portion of the Eagles' draft class will be ready to hit the field on Friday and Saturday without contractual distractions, allowing the coaching staff to focus fully on evaluation and development during minicamp.
It also reflects the front office's continued emphasis on preparation and process under general manager Howie Roseman. For late-round picks like Payton, Wisniewski, and James-Newby, early deals provide a crucial opportunity to settle in and compete for roster spots. Each player will enter Friday's rookie minicamp looking to carve out a role, whether on offense, defense, or special teams, where Day 3 selections often make their earliest impact.
Eagles now have signed four 2026 draft picks: 🏈First-round pick Makai Lemon. 🏈Fifth-round pick Cole Payton. 🏈Seventh-round pick Cole Wisniewski, per Nick Linta of @jlsports3 .
🏈Seventh-round pick Keyshawn James-Newby, per agents Mark Henness and Ross Jones of Leverage… — Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 30, 2026 Meanwhile, Lemon’s earlier signing headlines the group, as the Eagles look to integrate their top selection into the offense quickly. Finalizing multiple deals in rapid succession signals that Philadelphia is internally aligned and focused on maximizing every rep during the early stages of the offseason. With the rookie minicamp approaching, the Eagles have positioned themselves to hit the ground running, blending top-end talent with developmental depth as they begin building toward the 2026 season.