The NFL Combine has arrived, and the Philadelphia Eagles will be weighing out all their options on who to target in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Philly's biggest needs are edge rusher, offensive line, cornerback, safety, and wide receiver. Plenty of options to look at, but there is one position that hasn't been discussed that now might be a possibility for Day 2 of the draft in two months.
FanSided's Ryan Fowler was told by sources that the Eagles are one of two teams that met with LSU linebacker Harold Perkins Jr. Perkins also met with the Green Bay Packers prior to workouts at the combine.
Eagles met with LSU linebacker Harold Perkins Jr.
Perkins has quite the resume at LSU, having been named to the All-SEC team three times: first-team selection in 2022, second-team selection in 2023, and third-team selection last year. In 2025, he racked up 55 tackles, four sacks, three interceptions, three pass deflections, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery.
If there is one thing Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio loves in his defenders, it's their versatility to play multiple positions. Perkins fits that description to the T, as he can help in pass coverage, stop the run, and pressure the quarterback.
Philly could look at Perkins in the same light as they viewed Jihaad Campbell when they drafted him last year as a guy who could line up as an inside linebacker and come off the edge. This is also the first step in what could be the telling signs that the team will move on from Nakobe Dean this offseason.
Dean is currently a free agent who has stated in the past month that he wants to return to Philadelphia with the Eagles. Many have not seen that as an option since the Eagles are more focused on retaining Jaelan Phillips and Reed Blankenship.
If the Eagles were to select Perkins in the second or third round of the draft, that would make the scenario Zack Baun and Campbell as the starters at linebacker. Backing them up and being part of the rotation would most likely be Jeremiah Trotter Jr. and Perkins.
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The issue here is that the Eagles have many other positions to address in the first two days of the draft, but having two third-round picks gives them the flexibility to target a linebacker if they want to. Perkins appears to be on the Eagles' radar this offseason.