The moment that the Philadelphia Eagles traded up in the 2026 NFL Draft to select USC wide receiver Makai Lemon, there was a clear indication that not only was the rookie going to replace A.J. Brown, who is about to be traded, but that one new addition to the roster was already on thin ice.
Philly signed veteran Elijah Moore in the offseason, right after they first signed Marquise Brown in free agency, to add some firepower to the offense. Many thought that with Dontayion Wicks being another new addition, Moore was already one foot out the door. ESPN NFL reporter Jeremy Fowler's new report might paint Moore in a much different light on what his roster status for 2026 looks like.
He's also been throwing off-site with some of his receivers, DeVonta Smith, who's his new No. 1, new veteran Elijah Moore," Fowler's said on his SportsCenter appearance. "He's been getting after it, trying to get ready for this new offense. Eagles are going to look a lot different in 2026."
Could Elijah Moore actually make the Eagles' 53-man roster in 2026?
Last season, Moore had nine receptions for 112 yards while adding another 24 rushing yards and one touchdown in nine games with the Buffalo Bills. 2025 was the first time in Moore's career that he was under 446 receiving yards in one year.
While the assumption has been that Moore might be out the door, he actually could have a chance to stay in Philly now. Wicks, Lemon, and Brown appear to be safe with their jobs as they will support the new WR1 in DeVonta Smith, but how will Moore compete with the younger players after those guys?
Eagles fans can't forget that Johnny Wilson and Darius Cooper are back in Philly for another season. Wilson finally showed great progress in training camp last year before a season-ending injury derailed it, while Cooper took his roster spot as an undrafted rookie and played well on special teams.
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It's a very telling sign when Hurts and Moore are working together that this could be a combo to watch in training camp. Moore might have a chance to make the 53-man roster after all.
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