The Eagles have the NFL's most explosive offense, with few holes and plenty of firepower to carry the organization back to the Super Bowl. Howie Roseman is always looking to add game-changing talent, and the NFL draft is the most efficient and cheapest place to start.
Philadelphia's GM and head coach had their annual predraft media session, and Roseman was asked about the Eagles' draft board and players with first-round grades. An honest Roseman confirmed that the Birds don't have 32 players on their board with first-round grades.
Such an honest statement suggests that Roseman could trade back and acquire another second— or third-round pick unless there's a player worth trading up for or someone on the board at 32 that the Eagles covet. When asked last spring, Roseamn said this about an Eagles draft board.
“There are never 32 first-round grades on your board. We don’t have 32 first-round grades in this draft.”
Roseman is a huge supporter of trading up and down the draft boards, no matter the round or the assets at his disposal. Roseman, known for never sitting still, has always been an active draft-night trader and will likely make a move or two in rounds 1-3. Roseman has conducted over 60 draft-day trades over the past ten years, not including the 2015 draft when coach Chip Kelly snatched personnel control.
Since 2010, Roseman has traded up eight times, including multiple instances in which he initially traded down and then traded up, and vice versa. In the six times the Eagles have traded up, Philadelphia has landed Brandon Graham, Fletcher Cox, Carson Wentz, Andre Dillard, Jordan Davis, and Jalen Carter.
Here are five players the Eagles could target by trading up in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft, focusing on high-upside prospects who could make an immediate impact in Philadelphia.
2025 stats through 11 games: 57 tackles, 18.5 tackles for loss, 12.5 sacks, 62 pressures, five run stops, two forced fumbles, two pass breakups
A transfer from Stanford, Bailey is a professional pass-rusher who recorded 14.5 sacks over three seasons for the Cardinals. With the Red Raiders, his 21.5% pressure rate is second in the nation, and he has 12.5 sacks in 11 games.
Ohio State is Wide Receiver U, and Emeka Egbuka is the most recent star wideout to come out of Columbus. With Jeremiah Smith slated for 2027, Tate is putting up some serious numbers and showing why he is a top prospect for this class. Tate averaged 18.2 yards per catch last season. He is a precise route runner with great hands and outstanding body control.
A raw player who's still developing, Freeling is an intriguing prospect offering elite size and athleticism for the right tackle spot. Freeling is a 6'7", 315-pound offensive tackle prospect who turns 22 years old in July. The former Bulldog finished his career with 16 career starts at left tackle, including 12 in 2025 in his lone season as a full-time starter.
At the NFL Scouting Combine, Miami defensive end Rueben Bain Jr. said no team has mentioned arm length to him during his interviews, focusing on his impressive play instead. Those are words, and only April's draft will truly determine how decision makers feel about his slight wingspan. Bain recorded 9.5 sacks last season and 20.5 in his three-year career, but the Hurricanes pass rusher has been the subject of scrutiny amid concerns about his arm length and how it can impact his skills as an edge rusher in the NFL.
The preferred arm length for NFL pass rushers is 34 inches or more, putting Bain Jr. a clear three inches short. How that'll impact his draft status remains to be seen, but there have been plenty of instances where top prospects on both sides of the football have slid in the first round.
Update: NFL Teams are ‘Investigating’ Fatal Crash Involving Reuben Bain
The family of 22-year-old Destiny Betts, who died three months after the crash, said they are not seeking public attention surrounding the tragedy in a statement provided to @OllieConnolly:“Destiny’s passing was the result of a tragic accident that occurred several years ago.… https://t.co/AhULRbksPv
The second coming of Alshon Jeffery, Boston could be a player to watch if the Eagles trade Brown for a first-round pick. The 6-foot-4, 210-pound Boston hauled in 76.9% of his contested targets at Washington last year.
A 6-foot-2 playmaker, Tyson is A big, physical pass catcher who missed games in all four of his years at Arizona State, including missing 3 games with a hamstring injury in 2025. Last season, he still totaled 61 catches for 711 yards and eight touchdowns. The previous year, he keyed Arizona State's run to the College Football Playoffs with 75 catches, for 1,101 yards and 10 scores while averaging 14.7 yards per catch.
Ioane plays with intense power and quickness, using 330 pounds of elite force, earning second-team All-America honors from the Walter Camp Football Foundation as an offensive guard. Ioane is the 158th Nittany Lion (192nd selection) to be named an All-American by an NCAA-recognized outlet (AFCA, Associated Press, FWAA, The Sporting News, Walter Camp Football Foundation). Ioane was selected to the All-Big Ten Second Team in 2024 and to the Honorable Mention Team in 2023. He'll exit State College after playing in 44 games and making 32 starts at Penn State. According to PFF, he allowed zero sacks and three pressures in 310 pass blocking snaps in 2025.
This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: 2026 NFL Draft: Five players the Eagles could trade up for in Round 1