Eagles' 2026 NFL draft: Best pick, head-scratching pick, best value
A full breakdown of the Eagles’ 2026 draft class, highlighting the best pick, top value, ideal scheme fit, and the most puzzling selection.
The Philadelphia Eagles completed their 2026 NFL draft, making slight overhauls to Sean Mannion's unit by adding five talented, versatile offensive players to the roster. The first two picks are future stars and likely 2025 starters, while all five players offer elite skill sets and the potential to develop into critical starters. Further signifying a change is coming at wide receiver, Philadelphia traded up to add Makai Lemon , all but officially signaling the end of the A.
J. Brown era. In all, the Birds made eight selections and three trades – including one that netted a Pro Bowl-caliber outside linebacker, Jonathan Greenard.
With the rookie minicamp complete, we're looking at a full breakdown of the Eagles ' 2026 draft class, highlighting the best pick, top value, ideal scheme fit, and the most puzzling selection. Best bang for buck Cole Payton, QB, North Dakota State Consensus rank: 127 Pick number: 178 Difference:+51 A player who, according to some experts, might be a potential third or fourth round pick. Payton fell into the Eagles' lap, highlighting the value Philadelphia had to secure.
Payton brings athleticism, mobility, and a versatile skill set that could fit well within the Eagles' new offensive system under first-year coordinator Sean Mannion. With the Bison, he showed the ability to make plays both through the air and on the ground, giving him potential value as a multi-dimensional quarterback at the next level. The eyebrow-raiser 3d-68: Markel Bell, T, Miami The Eagles aren't known to reach, but landed the giant offensive tackle 48 spots higher than expected.