Philadelphia Eagles fans, get ready for some draft-day drama. With the 2026 NFL Draft just days away, all signs point to General Manager Howie Roseman being on the move—literally. Holding the 23rd overall pick, the Eagles might find themselves in a familiar spot: trading up to secure a future star.
Why the urgency? The Eagles are widely expected to target a cornerstone offensive player in the first round. The potential departure of star wide receiver A.J. Brown looms large, and legendary tackle Lane Johnson is entering his 14th season. Finding elite talent at these premium positions is paramount, and staying put at pick 23 might mean missing out on the top-tier prospect they desperately need.
Roseman himself hinted at the possibility during his pre-draft press conference, stating, "If something happens that somebody who’s higher on our board than 23rd is available, we’ll be ready for that... If there’s an opportunity that we think makes sense to move up based on the value of that player, we’ll move up." This is classic Howie Roseman, always prepared to be aggressive when the board falls his way.
This strategy is nothing new for the Eagles' front office. In fact, Roseman has traded up in the first round in four of the last five drafts. This aggressive approach netted them foundational pieces like wide receiver DeVonta Smith (2021), defensive tackle Jordan Davis (2022), and defensive tackle Jalen Carter (2023). While the jury is still out on last year's move for linebacker Jihaad Campbell, the track record of identifying and securing falling talent is strong.
These haven't been blockbuster, all-in trades, but rather calculated, surgical moves up a spot or two to snag a player they coveted. The most famous example was leaping ahead of the division-rival New York Giants to draft DeVonta Smith. In each case, the modest trade-up proved necessary and wise in hindsight.
As the draft approaches, the Eagles' war room will be poised for action. If a blue-chip offensive tackle or a dynamic playmaker at receiver starts to slide down the board, don't be surprised to see Philadelphia make a call and move up the order. For a franchise with championship aspirations, securing a cornerstone player is worth the price, and Howie Roseman has shown he's not afraid to pay it.