INDIANAPOLIS — The Eagles 2026 NFL Combine evaluation officially starts today at Lucas Oil Stadium, and Howie Roseman arrived with a shopping list longer than a CVS receipt. Philadelphia owns the 23rd overall pick and eight total selections in April’s draft. Following a turbulent 2025 campaign that forced a massive offensive coaching overhaul, the Birds desperately need youth to plug the gaps left by impending free agency and a battered offensive line.
The Post-Stoutland Era Begins
The bitter cold of Indianapolis perfectly matches the harsh reality facing the Philadelphia front office. Legendary offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland walked away, taking an era of trench dominance with him. New offensive coordinator Sean Mannion and offensive line coach Chris Kuper now hold the keys to a West Coast-style system that demands athletic, versatile blockers to protect Jalen Hurts.
Lane Johnson confirmed he will return for his age-36 season. That is massive news. Over his 13-year career, the Eagles boast a 110-57-1 record when Johnson anchors the right side, compared to an abysmal 18-27 without him. Last year alone, they went 8-2 with him and 3-5 after a Lisfranc foot injury shut him down. Philadelphia must find his heir apparent in this draft class.
The interior line carries its own baggage. Left guard Landon Dickerson battled neck and shoulder injuries all year. Center Cam Jurgens recently traveled to BioXcellerator in Medellin, Colombia, for a radical health reset. He received 70 million stem cells and ozone therapy to repair a deteriorating back. The team needs reliable depth, and they need it immediately.
Tight Ends and Defensive Upgrades
Dallas Goedert set a franchise record for tight ends with 11 touchdowns last season. Now 31 and sitting on an expiring contract, he is almost certainly hitting the open market. Roseman will closely watch Oregon’s Kenyon Sadiq and Vanderbilt’s Eli Stowers this week to fill that massive red-zone void.
On the other side of the ball, the defense requires serious attention. Cornerback Adoree’ Jackson is walking in free agency. Philadelphia wants a rookie contract opposite Quinyon Mitchell. Michigan’s Will Johnson and Ohio State’s Denzel Burke sit atop the draft boards.
The safety room also faces a massive shakeup. Fan-favorite Reed Blankenship turns 27 next week and enters unrestricted free agency. He blossomed from an undrafted rookie into a reliable defensive general. His emotional locker room exit last month painted a stark picture of the NFL’s harsh business reality. He expects significant offers, and the Eagles might not match them. Ohio State’s Caleb Downs could be an early target if Roseman aggressively trades up.
“I’m going on Year 9, which is crazy to say, and I’ve had a lot of different coaches and head coaches and been a part of a lot of systems. I don’t think I really came across a system like this. For me, it’s refreshing. You get something new. You get to learn something new.”
— Saquon Barkley, Eagles Running Back
Playoff Implications / What’s Next
The legal tampering period opens on March 9, and the new league year officially kicks off at 4 p.m. on March 11. Before that happens, Roseman must decide what to do with edge rusher Jaelan Phillips. Philadelphia traded a third-round pick to Miami for him last November. Phillips stabilized the defensive front with 14 quarterback hits across 17 total games, but his salary demands will dictate his future.
The Eagles cannot afford to miss on their draft evaluations this week in Indianapolis. If they strike gold on a cornerback and an offensive tackle, the Mannion-Kuper offensive revamp could push Philadelphia straight back to the top of the NFC East. If they miss, 2026 will be a long, painful rebuild.
