The best franchises in football consistently find ways to stay competitive. They consistently turn draft picks into stars, even if they’re not picking early in the first round. If the Philadelphia Eagles are going to continue to be one of the most dominant teams in the NFL, it’s imperative that they continue to capitalize on their draft picks.
Despite their overwhelming talent, the Eagles still have some major holes on their roster. One of the most obvious weaknesses is at edge rusher, where Philadelphia has taken a big step back from last season.
Oregon prospect Matayo Uiagalelei could be the perfect solution for the Eagles.
Matayo Uiagalelei making a strong case to be Eagles’ first-round draft pick in 2026
After Josh Sweat, Brandon Graham, and Bryce Huff left the building, the underlying assumption was that younger players would be able to fill in without causing the Eagles to skip a beat. That hasn’t exactly been the case. They rank in the bottom half of the league in total sacks and have allowed over 120 rushing yards per game. Even with Graham’s return from retirement, this edge group is below the standard Philadelphia has held in recent seasons.
It wouldn’t be a shock to anyone if Howie Roseman used his top draft pick to reinforce his defensive line in 2026. There are plenty of intriguing prospects on the defensive side of the ball in the upcoming class, but Uiagelelei could be the best fit of them all for the Eagles.
The stats don’t necessarily jump off the page for the Oregon edge rusher. He only has four sacks this season. He might not be the insanely explosive, uber-athletic disruptor that many top prospects are, but he’ll be able to contribute immediately in the NFL. He’s a sound run defender, able to set the edge and keep ball carriers from getting space on the outside. Even at over 270 pounds, he shows impressive speed and agility. He has all of the tools necessary to develop into an elite, well-rounded edge defender.
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At his size, he’d bring a new flavor to Philadelphia’s edge group. Nolan Smith and Jalyx Hunt are both undersized, allowing teams to overpower the Eagles when both players are on the field. Uiagalelei would give the defense a different answer against teams looking to win with strength. It’s still early in the season, but the Oregon prospect is already looking like the perfect fit in Vic Fangio’s defense.