The dust has settled on the 2026 NFL Draft. Trades were made. Risks were taken. Futures were reshaped. The Philadelphia Eagles added eight players to the nest as part of a solid class of rookies.
Now comes the real question. Has anything actually changed in the NFC East? It doesn't seem to be the case at the top, but it's hard to tell with those other three teams. Oh well. That won't stop anyone from guessing.
5th Round, Pick 178: QB Cole Payton, North Dakota State
7th Round, Pick 251: DT Uar Bernard, International Player Pathway Program
7th Round, Pick 252: OLB Keyshawn James-Newby, New Mexico
The Eagles remain the team to beat. It's early, but there's a legitimate case to be made that Philadelphia could claim the division crown for a third consecutive season. Their draft wasn't about playing it safe. It was about being aggressive with a purpose. Moving up to secure Makai Lemon signaled urgency at wide receiver. There were questions at other positions. Additions like Eli Stowers and Markel Bell brought versatility and size, while later-round swings on players like Cole Payton and Uar Bernard reinforced the Eagles' belief in development.
They didn't make the most picks. They made the ones they wanted, for the most part. This isn't rebuilding. Philadelphia is reloading.
1 No. 11 (from Dolphins) Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State 1 No. 23 (from Eagles) Malachi Lawrence, DE, UCF 3 No. 92 (from 49ers) Jaishawn Barham, DE, Michigan 4 No. 112 Drew Shelton, OT, Penn State 4 No. 114 (from Eagles) Devin Moore, CB, Florida 4 No. 137 (from Eagles) LT Overton, DE, Alabama 7 No. 218 (from Titans) Anthony Smith, WR, East Carolina
The Dallas Cowboys made real progress. Their defense, in particular, took a step forward with multiple additions and key draft weekend moves. Caleb Downs headlines a group that could help stabilize a unit that struggled mightily a season ago. Still, improvement doesn't automatically equal consistency. Until Dallas proves it can put everything together over a full season, there's a ceiling on how high they can climb.
Round 3, Pick No. 74 - Malachi Fields, WR, Notre Dame
Round 6, Pick No. 186 - Bobby Jamison-Travis, DL, Auburn
Round 6, Pick. No. 192 (from MIA) - J.C. Davis, OL, Illinois
Round 6, Pick No. 193 (from DAL) - Jack Kelly, LB, BYU
The New York Giants may have had one of the more intriguing drafts in the division. Adding premium talent early in the process, under a new coaching regime, signals a shift in direction. There's upside here, particularly if their young quarterback takes the next step.
But upside and results aren't the same thing. At least not yet. Stay tuned. This is a team that could climb the ladder this season.
Round 6 (via SF) - #209 - Matt Gulbin, C, Michigan State
The Washington Commanders feel like a team still searching for stability. There are pieces to like, especially on defense, but questions linger across the roster. Injuries, inconsistency, and depth concerns keep them in a holding pattern for now. Let's keep things simple. The NFC East isn't lacking drama or talent, but when the conversation turns to hierarchy, it still runs through Philadelphia.
Until someone proves otherwise, the Eagles aren't just competing for the crown. They're defending it, and they have the tools to do so successfully.
This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: NFC East power rankings: Where the Eagles stand after 2026 NFL Draft