The Eagles were active ahead of Tuesday’s trade deadline, adding edge rusher Jaelan Phillips and cornerbacks Michael Carter II and Jaire Alexander. But all three are on expiring contracts. So there’s the possibility that they’re all gone in a few months.
Which brings us to the 2026 NFL draft.
Howie Roseman and the Eagles will likely be in a position where they still need to address edge rusher and cornerback, as well as other needs, like WR3, in April.
So, as we have in recent weeks, let’s take a look at five college prospects — ranging from first-round talents to late-round fliers — who the Eagles could reasonably target in the 2026 draft.
A.J. Harris, CB, Penn State
Matchup: No. 2 Indiana at Penn State
How to watch: Saturday, noon, FOX
Measurables: 6-foot-1, 186 pounds
Harris has not lived up to the preseason first-round hype. Last season, Harris’ PFF coverage grade (81.3) ranked second in the Big Ten. This year, his PFF grade (58.9) ranks 35th in the Big Ten among corners with at least 150 coverage snaps. He was even benched vs. Northwestern. A lot of that sounds bad. But Harris has a lot of talent. He’ll need to put it together down the stretch to steady his draft stock. Saturday vs. Fernando Mendoza and Indiana’s talented receivers is a sink or swim opportunity.
Romello Height, EDGE, Texas Tech
Matchup: No. 7 BYU at No. 8 Texas Tech
How to watch: Saturday, noon, ABC
Measurables: 6-foot-3, 240 pounds
We featured Texas Tech edge rusher David Bailey earlier in this series. Now, it’s time to hit on his counterpart. Height is on the older side at 24 years old. But the Auburn, USC and Georgia Tech transfer is finally thriving with the Red Raiders. Height has racked up 41 QB pressures; only four edge rushers in the FBS have more. Height is a tenacious pass rusher, and he would be a fine addition to any NFL defensive line early on Day 2, if he makes it that far.
Matayo Uiagalelei, EDGE, Oregon
Matchup: No. 9 Oregon at No. 20 Iowa
How to watch: Saturday, 3:30 p.m., CBS
Measurables: 6-foot-5, 272 pounds
From one of the oldest players in the draft class to one of the youngest. Uiagalelei is only 20 years old, and he’s a junior, so he could come back for another season at Oregon. But a lot of NFL draft analysts have him pegged as a late first-round pick, which is earned. After contributing as a true freshman, Uiagalelei had a breakout sophomore season with 10 1/2 sacks. He’s up to four sacks this year; his elite athleticism is drawing more and more attention from offensive lines. Each rep Uiagalelei has vs. a top-tier Iowa o-line will be worth watching.
Gennings Dunker, OT, Iowa
Matchup: No. 9 Oregon at No. 20 Iowa
How to watch: Saturday, 3:30 p.m., CBS
Measurables: 6-foot-5, 315 pounds
Specifically, I’m fascinated to see how Uiagalelei fares against Dunker. Iowa’s PFF run-blocking and pass-blocking grades rank second and fourth, respectively, out of 136 FBS teams. Dunker is an anchor on that line. He was a second-team All-Big Ten pick last year and a preseason All-American at tackle. Dunker, who might be better as a guard at the next level, could be an eventual Lane Johnson replacement if the Eagles see him as a tackle.
Barion Brown, WR, LSU
Matchup: LSU at No. 4 Alabama
How to watch: Saturday 7:30 p.m., ABC
Measurables: 5-foot-11, 185 pounds
Brown hasn’t produced like some thought he might after transferring in from Kentucky. But his speed is real. The high school track star has clocked a reported 4.38-second 40-yard dash, which shows up. Brown had 16 catches of 30-plus yards and four kick return TDs in three years at Kentucky. This year, he has only one long reception. But Brown’s track record as a playmaker could be worth the Eagles taking a flier on in the later rounds. The Tigers will need Brown to break a long one to compete in Tuscaloosa.
WHO WE’VE COVERED
Oct. 24: LSU CB Mansoor Delane, Texas A&M EDGE Cashius Howell, Indiana EDGE Mikail Kamara, Missouri WR Kevin Coleman Jr., Houston TE Tanner Koziol
Oct. 6: Miami OT Francis Mauigoa, Alabama WR Germie Bernard, Vanderbilt TE Eli Stowers, Ohio State EDGE Caden Curry, Minnesota EDGE Anthony Smith, Boise State OT Kage Casey, Florida OT Austin Barber, SDSU CB Chris Johnson, Colorado CB DJ McKinney, Illinois QB Luke Altmyer
Sept. 19: Texas Tech EDGE David Bailey, Illinois EDGE Gabe Jacas, Oklahoma WR Deion Burks, Indiana CB D’Angelo Ponds, Baylor TE Michael Trigg