The closer fans get to the 2026 NFL Draft, the more they are convinced that Philadelphia Eagles general manager Howie Roseman might be thinking offensive line in the first round.
One big focus this offseason is on the offensive line, with Lane Johnson and Landon Dickerson almost retiring and the team losing Brett Toth and Matt Pryor to free agency. ESPN NFL writer Bill Barnwell believes the Eagles should trade up from 23 in the first round to find the successor to Johnson.
"Roseman has to start thinking about what the future looks like on offense now. At No. 23, he's stuck behind teams that could be thinking offensive tackle, including the Panthers at 19, Cowboys at 20 and Steelers at 21. Moving up ahead of them might be necessary to get Johnson's long-term replacement on the right side. There isn't the same sort of hunger for a wide receiver immediately ahead of the Eagles, but the teams right behind Philly (the Browns, Bears, Bills and 49ers) could try to jump Roseman to get that wideout, which might necessitate the longtime general manager beating his rivals to the punch."
Should the Eagles move up to get an offensive lineman?
If anything, if the Eagles trade up, it might be more of an indication that they are going wide receiver versus offensive line. This offensive line class is so deep that they should be able to find one or two they like by the time they are at number 23.
Guys like Arizona State's Max Iheanachor and Clemson's Blake Miller have often been mocked as being selected at 23 by the Eagles. Either guy could really take a step back behind Johnson for a year and learn from one of the best right tackles in NFL history. The Eagles don't need to rush whoever they pick on the field right away.
Yes, the offensive line needs to be addressed in the sense that they need to solidify the future and build the depth they need, but moving up to get a guy might be too high a cost. That would require the Eagles to probably lose another pick or two, which they don't want to, since they are down a pick from the Dontayvion Wicks trade.
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Unless there is someone they are completely in love with, the Eagles should sit back and not move up to get an offensive lineman. They might be pleasantly surprised if they let the draft come to them.
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