The Philadelphia Eagles are trying to get this thing right with their roster, as the 2026 NFL Draft could help solve a simple issue they have been having.
One position of interest for the Birds is at edge rusher, with Jaelan Phillips gone to the Carolina Panthers in free agency, leaving them with Jalyx Hunt and Nolan Smith Jr. for the second straight offseason. NFL.com's Gennaro Filice has just one goal for the Eagles to nail during the 2026 NFL Draft: Water the edge farm.
"After losing Josh Sweat and Jaelan Phillips over the last two offseasons, Vic Fangio’s defense looks light on the edges. Nolan Smith and Jalyx Hunt have both flashed ability, but the Eagles’ edge group lacks the kind of bite we’ve come to expect from true contenders. Top prospects like Arvell Reese, David Bailey and Rueben Bain Jr. will be long gone by the time Philadelphia comes on the board, but the 23rd pick could be a sweet spot for a number of intriguing-albeit-imperfect edges like Akheem Mesidor (just turned 25), Cashius Howell (short arms), T.J. Parker (production drop-off in 2025) and Keldric Faulk (undeveloped pass-rushing plan)."
Eagles must find the right edge rusher in 2026 NFL Draft
Last year, the Eagles tried to go into the 2025 campaign with Hunt and Smith as the starting edge rushers. While Hunt ended up leading the team in interceptions (three) and sacks (six), they did not get off to a great start, which is why the Eagles traded for Phillips midway through the season, and all was well after that.
Now the Eagles enter the 2026 NFL Draft for a second straight season, trying to figure out whether they can trust Hunt and Smith to step up as the starters or use a draft pick on an edge rusher. Last year, they did not, which hurt them early in the year.
There's a strong chance that the same thing could happen with the Eagles not using a Day 1 selection on an edge rusher. It does feel as though Day 2 is very realistic, and Philly might now understand that they can't afford to leave this draft without an edge rusher they can develop into a future starter in the league.
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Eagles general manager Howie Roseman always has something up his sleeve in the draft, so fans will have to see what magic trick he can pull off to finally get this edge rusher situation right.