2026 NFL Draft
Lane Johnson, the Eagles All-Pro right tackle, contemplated retirement after the disappointing end to, and for him, an injury-marred 2025 season. The fact that Jeff Stoutland, the only position coach Johnson has ever known in the NFL, was no longer his coach may have played on his mind as well.
Johnson, after much thought, decided to return for a 14th NFL season. As a wise man once said, “When you start to think about retirement, you may as well retire.” And as far as the Eagles go, they better start thinking about life without Johnson.
In games Johnson has missed either due to injury or suspension over his first 13 seasons, the Eagles are 18-27. They are 0-2 in playoff games without their right tackle. Yeah, getting his replacement on the roster might not be a bad idea. And not a guy off the street. Someone with some pedigree.
So, as the 2026 NFL draft approaches, the offensive line, specifically a tackle, should be at the top of Howie Roseman and Co.’s wish list. A franchise that prides itself on its offensive line, the Eagles have not selected an offensive lineman in the first round since 2019, when they traded up to select tackle Andre Dillard, out of Washington. They haven’t drafted a good one since they took Johnson, with the fourth overall pick, in 2013.
The Eagles have the 23rd overall pick in the first round and some ammunition to move up if the need be. There could be a few tackles still on the board, or at least within striking distance, when the Eagles are on the clock.
Miami’s Francis Mauigoa and Utah’s Spencer Fano are the top two tackles in this class and would take a massive move up to acquire. That would be more than even Roseman would entertain.
At least two of the next four tackles on most lists could be there and the other two should not be expected to go too much higher than 23. It all depends on who’s doing the electing and their preference at tackle. Here’s a look at those four possibilities.
Caleb Lomu
Utah, 6-6, 313
Lomu was a left tackle in college and did not allow a sack his final two seasons for the Utes. An exceptional showing at The Combine may have raised his stock for some teams and he may be going in the top 20. If he ends up with the Eagles he would have to learn to man the right side, which shouldn’t be much of a task for him. He would also have to bulk up a little to be a better run blocker.
Monroe Freeling
Georgia, 6-7, 315
Roseman, a University of Florida grad, has somehow fallen in love with players from Georgia. Over the past four drafts, the Eagles have selected six of Kirby Smart’s Bulldogs. So, Freeling is likely the betting favorite here. A former basketball player, Freeling is the most athletic tackle in the class. He’s projected to go anywhere from 20-25, so he’s right in the team’s wheelhouse.
Another left tackle in college, the Eagles would likely ask him to switch sides, and he may not be as ready to play as some others. But who better to sit and learn behind than Lane Johnson?
Kayden Proctor
Alabama, 6-7, 352
Proctor is a massive man who moves extremely well for a guy the size of a small building. He’s the best run blocker in the group and would be able to switch from the left side to the right side without much of an issue. Some scouts actually view him as a right tackle, despite the fact he played the left side at Alabama.
Blake Miller
Clemson, 6-7, 313
Miller is the enigma of this tackle class. Some teams/scouts think he’s a top 20 prospect, while others feel he’s more of a Day 2 guy. Where are the Eagles on him? He started 54 consecutive games for Dabo Sweeney’s Tigers and has primarily been the school’s right tackle. Again, he may need a year. But the Eagles have that luxury with Johnson coming back for the 2026 season.
If the Eagles decide not to go tackle, because the players they like are gone and they’re not crazy about what’s there, here are two more prospects.
Kenyon Sadiq
TE, Oregon, 6-3, 241
This would be more of a need pick than taking the best player. Sadiq is by far the best tight end in a weak class. He’s not the next Dallas Goedert, however. Not close.
KC Concepcion
WR, Texas A&M, 6-0, 196
An explosive receiver who did most of his damage out of the slot for the Aggies, the Eagles could opt for another playmaker on offense. Concepcion, who should be a late first-round selection, did have an issue with drops in college.
How shallow is this 2026 NFL draft?
“There are probably 10 legitimate first-round picks,’’ a long-time scout said. “There are going to be guys going (in the first round) who would be third-round picks other years.’’
Another scout added he expected to see a lot of teams try to trade down, or even out of the first round and pick up extra Day 2 picks.
“The problem,’’ he said, “is going to be trying to find teams that want to move up.’’
So, who are the top players in this class? Here’s a list of the best players at each position.
Quarterback
Fernando Mendoza, Indiana, 6-5, 225
Mendoza became the first player to win the Heisman Trophy and a National Championship since the Eagles’ Devonta Smith did it with Alabama in 2020. He’ll be the first player taken overall, probably by Las Vegas, unless there is a stunning trade. “As far as quarterback goes, there’s Mendoza,’’ one scout said. “That’s it.’’
Running Back
Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame, 6-0, 214
Love is the best player in the draft, according to one scout. The former Fighting Irish back, who scored 35 touchdowns the past two seasons, will certainly crack the top 10 and could go top five overall. Look for Washington (No. 7), the Giants (No. 5) and maybe even Arizona (No. 3) to have interest.
Wide Receiver
Carnell Tate, Ohio State 6-3, 195
Once again, a Buckeye receiver tops the list. “He’s not as good as some of those others (Ohio State WRs), but he’s the best in this class,’’ a scout said. Tate could easily crack the top 10, with Kansas City lurking at No. 9.
offensive Tackle
Francis Mauigoa, Miami, 6-6, 335
Mauigoa is right there with Mendoza and Love at the top of this class. He could go as high as No. 3 to Arizona and likely won’t last longer than No. 6 (Cleveland). He could also be the player a team may try to trade into the top part of the draft to select.
Interior Offensive Line
Vega Ioane, Penn State, 6-4, 328
Guards tend to drop to the bottom of the first round. That might not be the case this year, where Ioane figures to be a top 20 selection. Watch for Carolina at No. 19 if he doesn’t go sooner.
Edge rusher
Rueben Bain, Miami, 6-3, 270
In the one position with a few top guys, Bain gets the nod as No. 1 over David Bailey of Texas Tech. One scout compared Bain to the Eagles’ Brandon Graham. But while Graham was a mid first-rounder out of Michigan, Bain will be a top 10, maybe top five pick in this draft.
Defensive Tackle
Kayden McDonald, Ohio State, 6-3, 326
This group isn’t as stacked as the edge rushers. McDonald, however, could find his way into the top 20. Minnesota at 19 is a possibility.
Linebacker
Arvell Reese, Ohio State, 6-4, 243
Some feel Reese is a little bigger, a little better and a healthier version of the Eagles first round pick a year ago, Jihaad Campbell, of Alabama. If Campbell didn’t have the shoulder issue, he would have never made it to No. 31 last year. Reese, in a much weaker draft, will be a top five pick this year, maybe No. 2 (Jets). His teammate at OSU, Sonny Styles, will be a top 10 pick as well.
Cornerback
Mansoor Delane, LSU, 6-0, 187
There are probably about eight or nine corners who are pretty evenly ranked by scouts. Delane, however, gets the nod here as No. 1. He’ll likely find himself going just outside of the top 10, with Miami (No. 11) and Dallas (No. 12) in pursuit.
Safety
Caleb Downs, Ohio State, 6-0, 205
If you’re counting, this is the fourth Buckeye to top the list at their position. And Downs might be the best of them all. Safeties don’t go high in most drafts. But this isn’t most drafts and Downs isn’t most safeties. He’s going to be a top 10 pick for sure.
