{"id":278590,"date":"2026-04-25T19:21:51","date_gmt":"2026-04-25T23:21:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/?p=278590"},"modified":"2026-04-25T19:28:00","modified_gmt":"2026-04-25T23:28:00","slug":"philadelphia-eagles-draft-grades","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2026\/04\/25\/philadelphia-eagles-draft-grades\/","title":{"rendered":"Philadelphia Eagles Draft Grades"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>After failing to reach the Super Bowl for a second consecutive season, the Philadelphia Eagles are looking for reinforcements in the Steel City. The Birds are taking the trip across the other side of the state for the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/category\/nfl-draft\/\" target=\"_self\">2026 NFL Draft<\/a>. With four picks within the top 100, Eagles Vice President of Football Operations Howie Roseman is <a href=\"https:\/\/www.si.com\/nfl\/eagles\/onsi\/howie-roseman-eagles-aced-the-draft-with-just-one-trade-and-are-a-super-bowl-contender-again-01kq2qgjeghj\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">looking to make waves this weekend<\/a>. Let&#8217;s analyze each of Philadelphia&#8217;s draft picks as the Eagles look to remain NFC East Champions.<\/p>\n<p class=\"\" style=\"max-width: px\"><smartframe-embed class=\"smartframe_wp_element\" customer-id=\"b0c95bc04383cef69c6b47df872135cf\" image-id=\"WmOB96bmn1Cm\" style=\"width: 100%; display: inline-flex; max-width: 3487px; aspect-ratio: 3487\/2325;\" ><\/smartframe-embed><\/p>\n<h2>Philadelphia Eagles Draft Grades<\/h2>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Terms: The <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/Eagles?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">#Eagles<\/a> receive picks No. 20 and a 7th-rounder, while the <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/Cowboys?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">#Cowboys<\/a> receive picks No. 23, 114, and 137. <a  href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/1DGFyqbffG\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">https:\/\/t.co\/1DGFyqbffG<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/MySportsUpdate\/status\/2047494262653149262?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">April 24, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<h3>First Round(20th Overall): <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2026\/04\/20\/makai-lemon-2026-nfl-draft-profile-2\/\" target=\"_self\">Makai Lemon<\/a>, WR, <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/category\/bigten\/usc-trojans\/\" target=\"_self\">USC<\/a><\/h3>\n<p>In a surprising move, division rivals make a surprising trade. The Philadelphia Eagles move up to the 20th overall pick after agreeing to a deal with the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/category\/nfl-teams\/cowboys\/\" target=\"_self\">Dallas Cowboys<\/a>. In exchange for the 23rd overall, 114th, and 137th picks, the Eagles gained a seventh-round pick and the 20th overall. After moving up, Philadelphia adds USC wide receiver Makai Lemon.<\/p>\n<p>Winning the Fred Biletnikoff award for the top wide receiver in college, Lemon is coming off a stellar junior season. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/stats\/_\/id\/4870795\/type\/college-football\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Lemon finished 2025 with 1,156 yards on 79 catches<\/a>, along with 11 touchdown receptions. What Lemon lacks in size (5&#8217;11&#8221;, 192lbs), he makes up for in route running and exceptional ball skills. Lemon&#8217;s compusure to handle contact gives the Eagles a versatile slot receiver whose not afraid to go over the middle. With his sharp ball-tracking ability, he&#8217;ll be able to help quarterback <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/?s=Jalen+Hurts\" target=\"_self\">Jalen Hurts<\/a> immediately. However, his opportunities at targets hinge immediately on how the AJ Brown situation concludes. (<a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2026\/04\/22\/fantasy-fallout-aj-brown-likely-to-be-traded-to-new-england\/\" target=\"_self\">Whether traded or not<\/a>)<\/p>\n<h4>Eagles Draft Grade: A+<\/h4>\n<h3>Second Round(54th Overall): <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2026\/02\/27\/eli-stowers-2026-nfl-draft-profile-2\/\" target=\"_self\">Eli Stowers<\/a>, TE, <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/category\/sec\/vanderbilt-commodores\/\" target=\"_self\">Vanderbilt<\/a><\/h3>\n<p>After grabbing the best slot receiver in college last year, Howie Roseman sticks with offense and grabs a play-making tight end. Vanderbilt&#8217;s Eli Stowers turned heads with a great combine, setting records in both the broad jump and vertical jump. The Commodores offense lined him up in multiple spots and <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/stats?id=4431574&amp;type=college-football\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">led the team in catches with 62 for 769 yards<\/a>. Stowers&#8217; production earned high praise, including First Team All-American honors and winning the John Mackey Award. If an AJ Brown trade were to happen, Stowers gives Philadelphia some size to replace him with when paired next to Smith and Lemon. To maximize his potential, he&#8217;ll need to add more size and might never turn into a consistent run blocker. However, with <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/?s=Dallas+Goedert\" target=\"_self\">Dallas Goedert<\/a>, head coach Nick Sirianni can take his time adding Stowers to the mix.<\/p>\n<h4>Eagles Draft Grade: A-<\/h4>\n<h3>Third Round(68th Overall): Markel Bell, OT, <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/category\/acc\/miami-hurricanes\/\" target=\"_self\">Miami<\/a><\/h3>\n<p>The Eagles know right tackle Lane Johnson&#8217;s stellar career is coming to an end, and they need to prepare for their offensive line of the future. So, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nfl.com\/prospects\/markel-bell\/32004245-4c50-6870-7576-40ee83a92982\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">why not grab a staggering offensive tackle<\/a>? Standing at an imposing 6&#8217;9&#8243;, Bell&#8217;s size is going to be a problem for anyone who wants to sack Jalen Hurts. However, he does need refinement as he tends to overreach on kick steps that can allow pressure inside. He&#8217;ll need to develop more core strength to truly develop as an anchor. He will also be a mismatch against faster edge rushers at the next level. But moving him to the right side should help alleviate those concerns. Best-case scenario, Bell can develop into Lane Johnson&#8217;s successor at right tackle. At worst, Philadelphia could convert him to guard. It worked out well when former offensive tackle Meckhi Becton was moved to the interior.<\/p>\n<h4>Eagles Draft Grade: B<\/h4>\n<h3>Fifth Round(178th Overall): <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2026\/04\/17\/cole-payton-2026-nfl-draft-profile\/\" target=\"_self\">Cole Payton<\/a>, QB, North Dakota State<\/h3>\n<p>With their first pick of day three, the Eagles opt to make an addition to the quarterback room. After being primarily a backup at North Dakota State, southpaw Cole Payton is an athletic passer who can get things done on the ground. Despite one season as a full-time starter, <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/draft\/teams\/_\/name\/phi\/philadelphia-eagles\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Payton has nearly 2,000 rushing yards along with 21 career touchdown runs<\/a>. He flashed some accuracy with 72% completion percentage to go along with 2,719 passing yards and 16 TD passes to only four interceptions.<\/p>\n<p>It&#8217;s unknown what his role will be with veteran <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/_\/id\/14012\/andy-dalton\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Andy Dalton<\/a> backing up Hurts. His main competition will be with <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/?s=Tanner+McKee\" target=\"_self\">Tanner McKee<\/a> for that third quarterback job. However, with Payton&#8217;s athleticism, he can find a spot on the field. Perhaps borrowing a page from the Saints playbook and utilizing him like Taysom Hill?<\/p>\n<h4>Eagles Draft Grade: C+<\/h4>\n<h3>Sixth Round(206th Overall): <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nfl.com\/prospects\/micah-morris\/32004d4f-5247-3540-9b3a-1935bb5c4d43\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Micah Morris<\/a>, OG, <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/category\/sec\/georgia-bulldogs\/\" target=\"_self\">Georgia<\/a><\/h3>\n<p>After selecting Markel Bell in the third round, Philadelphia doubles down on the offensive line. Like Bell, Morris is another imposing blocker with good size at 6&#8217;5&#8242;, 334 lbs. Along with his size, Morris did not allow a sack in nearly 900 career snaps. His main obstacle at this level will be refining his footwork to have a more consistent base. As well as honing in on his conditioning. It&#8217;s a gamble, especially with Arma&#8217;j Reed-Adams on the board. But the Eagles have two familiar faces on the roster with defensive tackles <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/?s=jordan+davis\" target=\"_self\">Jordan Davis<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/?s=jalen+carter\" target=\"_self\">Jalen Carter<\/a>. Whom Morris had to practice against at Georgia as a freshman.<\/p>\n<h4>Eagles Draft Grade: B<\/h4>\n<h3>Seventh Round(244th Overall): Cole Wiseniewski, S, <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/category\/big12\/texas-tech-red-raiders\/\" target=\"_self\">Texas Tech<\/a><\/h3>\n<p>After using their first five picks on offense, the Eagles finally turned their attention to the defense. Cole Wiseniewski is a hybrid safety\/linebacker whose bread and butter is defending the run. His limitations in coverage are outweighed by<a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/player\/stats\/_\/id\/4693345\/type\/college-football\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"> his polish as a tackler with 78 total tackles<\/a> this season at Texas Tech. Will likely have to see his playing time on special teams this year.<\/p>\n<h4>Eagles Draft Grade: B-<\/h4>\n<h3>Seventh Round(251nd Overall): Uar Bernard, DT, International Pathway Program<\/h3>\n<p>A bold pick by the Eagles on a raw but physically impressive talent from the International Pathway Program. Nigerian native <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nfl.com\/prospects\/uar-bernard\/32004245-5223-7368-9031-191437436975\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Uar Bernard<\/a> is a massive 6&#8217;4&#8243; and 306lbs who blew away scouts with his power, speed, and explosiveness at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bleedinggreennation.com\/philadelphia-eagles-draft\/174766\/nfl-draft-results-eagles-pick-intriguing-uar-bernard-at-no-251\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">the IPP pro day back in March<\/a>. It will be tough to determine his full-time position, but with a 4.6 40 time, to go along with a\u00a0 39&#8243; vertical, 10-10 broad jump, and 31 bench press reps, he&#8217;s one great athlete. Harnessing that athleticism is easier said than done. But after turning to the IPP for the current left tackle, <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/?s=Jordan+Mailata\" target=\"_self\">Jordan Mailata<\/a>, the Eagles hope lightning strikes twice.<\/p>\n<h4>Eagles Draft Grade: B<\/h4>\n<h3>Seventh Round(252nd Overall): Keyshawn James-Newby, Edge, New Mexico<\/h3>\n<p>With back-to-back picks here, the Eagles hedge their bets and stay on the defensive line. Despite being undersized at 6&#8217;1&#8243;, 240lbs, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nfl.com\/prospects\/keyshawn-james-newby\/32004a41-4d66-3773-b216-38602e2e02c7\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Keyshawn James-Newby<\/a> didn&#8217;t let that negatively impact his game. After starting at Montana Tech to Idaho, James-Newby transferred to New Mexico after being granted an extra year of eligibility. He made the most of it, finishing 2025 leading the team with 15 TFLs and nine sacks, he earned First-Team All Mountain West.<\/p>\n<p>While he lacks versatility with his pass rush moves, he has found consistent success with stab movement with physical hands. He won&#8217;t see the field much. But with a high motor, he has the chance to develop into an effective sub-package edge rusher working under Vic Fangio&#8217;s guidance.<\/p>\n<h4>Eagles Draft Grade: B-<\/h4>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>With the 2026 NFL Draft coming and going, let&#8217;s analyze the immediate impact of the Philadelphia Eagles Draft Class.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4597,"featured_media":279796,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":true,"sfio_embed_code":"<smartframe-embed customer-id=\"a61405551f80e72f675225f083759bb9\" image-id=\"fwuQEQ1LiACN\" style=\"width: 100%;max-width: 3500px;aspect-ratio: 3500\/2333\"><\/smartframe-embed><!-- https:\/\/smartframe.io\/embedding-support -->","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1647,36,21],"tags":[33533,32982,33773,34676,7347,7393],"class_list":["post-278590","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-nfl-draft","category-nfl-news","category-eagles","tag-2026-nfl-draft","tag-eli-stowers","tag-makai-lemon","tag-markel-bell","tag-philadelphia-eagles-draft","tag-philadelphia-eagles-news"],"modified_by":"Michael Zimmelman","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/278590","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4597"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=278590"}],"version-history":[{"count":12,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/278590\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":278596,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/278590\/revisions\/278596"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/279796"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=278590"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=278590"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=278590"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}