PHILADELPHIA — The 2026 NFL offseason just flipped the script. When edge rusher Jaelan Phillips inked a monster four-year, $120 million deal with the Carolina Panthers this week, the shockwaves instantly scrambled the top of the 2026 NFL Draft board. Front offices are scrambling, and big boards are being completely rewritten.
The Eagles knew keeping Phillips would be expensive, but Carolina backed up the Brink’s truck with $80 million fully guaranteed. Now, Philadelphia has a gaping hole on the edge. While veteran free agents remain, expect the Eagles to attack this need early in April.
Clemson’s T.J. Parker sits right in their crosshairs. Parker is a devastatingly powerful rusher who collapses pockets with brute force. If they wait until the middle rounds, Michigan’s Derrick Moore a physical freak who earned first-team All-Big Ten honors last year—fits the aggressive profile Philadelphia demands.
The Seattle Seahawks selected Jalen Milroe in the third round of the 2025 draft, hoping his explosive athleticism would translate. It has not. Milroe rode the bench entirely after an October 5 clash against Tampa Bay, and Seattle is already looking at alternatives.
At the 2026 NFL Combine, the Seahawks held formal meetings with quarterbacks Taylen Green and Cade Klubnik. The writing is on the wall: Seattle does not view Milroe as the franchise savior.
Kansas City originally looked primed to trade up for Notre Dame’s human highlight reel, Jeremiyah Love. Love torched defenses in 2025 for 1,372 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns. But the Chiefs aggressively secured Kenneth Walker III in free agency, completely eliminating their need in the backfield.
With Chris Jones turning 32 next year, Kansas City will redirect its two first-round picks toward the defensive trenches. Iowa State’s Domonique Orange a 6-foot-2, 322-pound wrecking ball is a prime Day 2 target to absorb double teams and keep linemen off the linebackers.
Oregon’s Kenyon Sadiq is a freak of nature. He blazed a 4.39 40-yard dash at 241 pounds and posted a massive 43.5-inch vertical at the Combine. He dominated last fall with 51 catches, 560 yards, and 8 touchdowns. Yet, his draft stock is slipping.
Scouts are questioning his motor. When the ball isn’t coming his way, the effort wanes.
“We’re looking for guys who bring that same juice every single Tuesday practice, not just when the cameras are on. The tape shows a guy who blocked harder when he was the number two tight end.”
— Anonymous AFC West Scout
That lack of consistent intensity could drop the most athletic tight end in the class to the back end of the first round.
The Los Angeles Rams are hunting for pure speed to stretch the field, and Mississippi State’s Brenen Thompson is the target. Thompson roasted the Combine with a 4.26 time. He averaged 18.5 yards per catch while setting a school record with 1,054 receiving yards last season. He is the ultimate Day 3 steal.
Meanwhile, Navy’s Eli Heidenreich is officially an NFL slot receiver. The former running back proved his hands are elite in 2025, pulling in 51 passes for 941 yards. He strictly ran receiver drills at his Pro Day, validating his transition. Catching 72 percent of contested targets in traffic proves he isn’t afraid of the middle of the field.
The NFL dropped its official compensatory pick list, handing out 33 extra selections. The Baltimore Ravens, Philadelphia Eagles, and Pittsburgh Steelers maxed out with four picks each. The Minnesota Vikings secured the highest overall comp pick at No. 97.
Free agency is far from over, but the initial wave has completely reshaped team needs. Philadelphia and Kansas City acting aggressively now means they will draft for pure talent rather than desperation in April. The Eagles must hit on a defensive end to survive the NFC East arms race, while the Chiefs’ defensive line overhaul will dictate their ability to defend their dynasty.
