The Philadelphia Eagles are continuing to prepare for the 2026 NFL Draft as trade rumors continue to swirl overtop of star wide receiver AJ Brown. While a trade has not materialized yet, the Eagles did pull off a move that will make things a bit more painless if a deal ends up coming to fruition.
The Eagles sent a 2026 fifth-round pick and 2027 sixth-round pick to the Green Bay Packers in exchange for fourth-year receiver Dontayvion Wicks. The former Virginia star becomes yet another Packer who has departed in the offseason, as Romeo Doubs is fresh off joining the New England Patriots.
As things currently stand, the Eagles' wide receiver room consists of Brown and Devonta Smith as the top two wide receivers with Wicks and Hollywood Brown fighting for the vacant WR3 role that was left vacant by Jahan Dotson. This Wicks addition may have been made with the knowledge that some changes to the Draft strategy are coming.
After bringing Wicks into the fold, it seems less likely that one Philadelphia's first two picks in the Draft will not be used on a playmaking pass-catcher.
Eagles' Dontayvion Wicks trade may alter 2026 NFL Draft strategy
While the Eagles have been linked to some of the top receivers in this class, perhaps via a trade up from the No. 23 overall spot in the order, the Eagles would both need to hope one of those targets fell within striking distance and they found a motivated seller willing to move down in the order.
Day 2 could have been a very keen area for the Eagles to beef up their wide receiver room. Just to name a few, names like Indiana's Elijah Sarratt, Alabama's Germie Bernard, or Georgia's Zachariah Branch could have been ideal WR4 targets. Instead, that pick may be used on a pass rusher or new safety.
Instead, the Eagles will move forward with Wicks. While he has consistently shown he can separate against NFL-level coverage and make plays down the field, he has had some issues with drops that have prevented him from taking that next step. Can Nick Sirianni be the one who gets him to that next level?
Any Eagles fan hoping that Howie Roseman would use a premium pick on a wide receiver may need to recalibrate, as Wicks is good enough to where Philly can roll into the year with him as a complementary target that has enough upside to deter a high pick