EAGLES BEGIN BUILDING TRENCHES FOR 2026

 Penn State's Olaivavega Ioane  a sure fire first round pick. Photo from Penn State Athletics.

Footballstories looks at some of the players the Birds could select in this year’s draft

The philosophy that GM Howie Roseman has not only championed with his time in Philly but executed with investing both draft and free agency capital, has been to prioritize the trenches of his football team.

The game is won and lost in these areas and Philadelphia could never be accused of not understanding that by the way they build their squads.

Last year, saw a noticeable dip in play from these positions on the offensive side of the ball, much of which could be attributed to the health of their starting unit.

Center Cam Jurgens and LG Landon Dickerson gutted their way through this season without a single snap, logged at 100 percent and Future Eagles HOF, RT Lane Johnson missed 8 games in 2025.

On top of this, the depth just wasn’t good enough to manufacture a consistent offense and to make matters even tougher, they’ll be tasked to improve without the tutelage and guidance of legendary Offensive Line Coach Jeff Stoutland, who resigned from his post after 12 seasons in Philly.

If Philly wants to get back to the Super Bowl in 2026, they’ll have to address these positions this offseason and I think some of these guys coming out in the 2026 NFL Draft, just might be the answer.

1^st Round Targets

The Eagles are currently sitting at the 23^rd pick of the NFL Draft and so barring any trades, there are just some guys who feel out of reach.

Francis Mauigoa (Miami) and Spencer Fano (Utah) are the consensus top guys in this draft and barring any move into at least the top 15 or unpredictable freefalls, both will likely be gone by pick 23.

Here are three names I'd keep an eye out for as potential picks for Philly.

Olaivavega Ioane – IOL – Penn State

“Vega” Ioane is the most talented interior lineman in this draft class so I wouldn’t be surprised to hear his name called for several needy teams ahead of Philly but there’s a chance that the Nittany Lion falls because of positional hierarchy.

While other teams scoff at spending 1^st round picks on IOL, the Eagles will happily reap the rewards getting a lineman who brings a rare blend of brute strength and agile footwork that could land him as a day 1 starter in the right situation.

Ioane would step into competing with Tyler Steen at RG and give the team much needed insurance if Dickerson’s laundry lists of injuries finally catch up enough to make the rumors of his retirement ring true.

Kadlyn Proctor could be high on the Eagles offensive lineman list. Photo by:  Crimson Tide Photos/ UA Athletics

Kadyn Proctor – OT – Alabama

Proctor’s tape is a little all over the place, but the building blocks are so clearly there and his 6-foot-7, 366-pound frame at only 20 years old with 40 career starts at Alabama under his belt has to have new OL coach Chris Kuper salivating at the chance to mold him.

The biggest question with him is if he could move to the right side to be the heir apparent to Lane Johnson who will be coming back for season No. 14 with many thinking he might not do the same for No. 15.

He is still so extremely raw, although he was named an All-American this past season, and so a year of development could pay dividends for him and the Birds as they nab a talent that would probably go top ten next year if he returned for his senior season.

Georgia offensive lineman Monroe Freeling would look good in an Eagles uniform. Photo from georgiadogs.com

Monroe Freeling – OT – Georgia

Freeling comes in with the same height as Proctor, measuring in at every part of 6’7, but carries a much lighter and athletic frame at 315 poumds, a little closer to the profile of Lane Johnson.

Limited starting experience for the Bulldogs logging 16 total starts at LT (12 of which came in 2025) it’s safe to assume his best playing days are ahead of him and that’s saying something as he grew into an absolute presence by year's end for Georgia.

Slight tweaks to his more upright playing style that saw some of the better pass rushers get him off balance could vault Freeling into earning that heir apparent status while giving them someone who is probably more league ready than Proctor in case Johnson misses time in 2026.

Mid/Late Round Targets

It’s tough enough to peg who will hear their names called through the first 32 picks, let alone, who will drift between day 2 and 3 but here are some names that go outside of the 1^st (Potentially 3^rd – 6^th) that I think the Eagles could express interest in picking.

Sam Heckt – C – Kanas State

When Future HOF Center Jason Kelce pretty much hand-picked Cam Jurgens to be his replacement, it felt like the team wouldn’t have to fret much at this position for some time.

Jurgens, having to fight through back pain that caused a noticeable dip in play because the team didn’t really have anyone else to turn to, wouldn't be the case if someone like Sam Heckt found their way to the roster.

Heckt employs that nastiness and tenacity that we’ve seen from many Wildcats over the years like Cooper Beebe, Dalton Risner, and K.T. Leveston would bring a competent level of play that the team might not only respect as a depth backup, but potential starter in waiting.

Billy Schrauth – OG – Notre Dame

Schrauth is a player who I think falls lower than he should based purely off medicals stemming from the season ending MCL injury that ended his 2025 season with the Fighting Irish.

He’s a two-year starting guard coming from an institution that churns out NFL lineman yearly along with notching a handful of his 19 starts as one of team’s captains.

His blend of athletic ability, solid play strength, and leadership is something that teams between picks 50 and 100 should be eyeing to bring into their locker rooms without much thought. *

Email Matt Santoleri at m.santoleri13@gmail.com