PHILADELPHIA — The dream of Kenyon Sadiq in Midnight Green is dying. Just months ago, the Oregon tight end seemed like a lock for the Philadelphia Eagles at No. 23 overall. Philly needs a young spark, Dallas Goedert’s contract remains a question mark, and the fit was too perfect to ignore. But the draft process moves fast, and Sadiq moved faster. After shattering the NFL Combine record with a 4.39-second 40-yard dash, the consensus has shifted: Sadiq won’t be there when Howie Roseman is on the clock.
The Sadiq Stock Explosion
Sadiq didn’t just run well; he changed the math for every team in the top 10. Beating out prospects like Eli Stowers by two-tenths of a second turned a “solid pick” into a “top-tier weapon.” Rumors now suggest the Kansas City Chiefs could snag him as high as No. 9 to pair with Patrick Mahomes. While Todd McShay remains skeptical about a top-20 landing spot, the reality for the Eagles is clear. Unless Roseman burns assets to move up, the “chess piece” for Sean Mannion’s 2026 offense is likely heading elsewhere.
Max Iheanachor: The New Frontrunner?
If the Eagles stay at 23, the focus shifts back to the trenches. Max Iheanachor is the name gaining steam. The Arizona State tackle is a 6-foot-6, 321-pound mountain of potential. He only started playing football in his late teens at East Los Angeles College, but his ceiling is massive. With Lane Johnson turning 36 and moving toward a year-to-year status, the Eagles need an exit strategy. Under offensive line coach Chris Kuper, Iheanachor could sit, learn, and eventually anchor the right side for a decade. He is raw, but his movement skills in space are elite for a man his size.
Adding a Vertical Threat: Denzel Boston
If Roseman decides to ignore the line and hunt for a playmaker, Washington’s Denzel Boston is the candidate to watch. Standing 6-foot-4 and 212 pounds, Boston is a physical nightmare for cornerbacks. He isn’t a burner, but he finds the endzone. Boston scored 21 times over his last two seasons with the Huskies. For an offense that thrived with Alshon Jeffery’s jump-ball ability, Boston offers a familiar, high-impact style. He brings punt return experience and a nasty streak in the red zone that would give Jalen Hurts a target who simply refuses to lose 50/50 balls.
The Ty Simpson Wildcard
Then there is the chaos theory. Some analysts, including NFL.com’s Rhett Lewis, suggest the Eagles could take Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson. This wouldn’t be a challenge to Hurts, but a trade asset play. Drafting a QB to immediately flip him is a move straight out of an NBA front office. It carries huge risk—if a trade partner doesn’t materialize, the locker room dynamic gets weird fast. However, in a draft year often called “underwhelming,” maximizing value through a trade-back or a draft-and-flip might be exactly how Roseman maintains the team’s long-term dominance.
What’s Next
The Eagles are in a position of strength, having addressed most holes in free agency. This allows them to be aggressive. Watch the New York Jets at No. 10; if Sadiq starts to slide past them, Roseman could strike. If not, expect a heavy focus on Iheanachor or a secondary standout like Dillon Thieneman. The next two weeks will determine if the Eagles build for today’s Super Bowl window or secure the foundation for the post-Lane Johnson era.
