I do this simulation column every year to sort of track the changes in Eagles needs, players draft stocks, and possible pick movement. We are months and months away from the draft, so things are definitely subject to change with exhibition games, private workouts, interviews, and the combine still ahead. But as it stands today, here is how I would navigate the Eagles eight picks in the 2026 draft.
Simulation run using the Pro Football Focus Mock Draft Simulation. No trades made.
Pick 1.23: T.J. Parker, Edge Defender, Clemson
The Eagles have some rising stars at edge defender right now: Jalyx Hunt turned in an exciting second season and Nolan Smith looks solid when he’s healthy. Not only are neither a sure thing, the Eagles are also potentially losing Jaelan Phillips to free agency. It wouldn’t be crazy for the team to go out and find a rookie who can contribute on day one rushing the passer.
T.J. Parker is a stout, athletic defender who can play every down for the Eagles defense. He is a strong run defender and has a ton of juice getting after the passer. With 24 sacks in three years starting, he could do a better job converting pressures into sacks but his production could look much better as part of a deep rotation in Philly.
Pick 2.54: Daylen Everette, Cornerback, Georgia
The Eagles need to take some swings to find a starting outside cornerback. Daylen Everette has the athleticism and physicality to be a starting NFL cornerback. He is raw, but his talent is obvious and he brings it on every rep. Notable is that he is an exceptional run defender that Georgia played all over their defense, but he saw the majority of his snaps as an outside cornerback.
There would be a learning curve for him, but with the right coaching he could be a steal in the second round.
Pick 3.68: Elijah Sarratt, Wide Receiver, Indiana
The Eagles now have a new offensive coordinator in Sean Mannion. What his offense looks like is to be seen, but he got the majority of his NFL coaching and playing experience in offenses that deployed a wide array of pass catching options and threw the ball a lot. It doesn’t mean the Eagles will all of a sudden throw the ball 600 times, but it could mean their passing game could be more diverse than just feeding DeVonta Smith and AJ Brown between red zones and then drawing up plays for Dallas Goedert.
Elijah Sarratt might not ever be a top receiver in an NFL offense, but he has the juice to be an exceptional WR3 or solid WR2. He has great ball skills, hands, and physicality. Sarratt is not a burner, and relies a lot on chemistry with the quarterback to get targets. While at Indiana, Sarratt caught 23 touchdowns in two years because his quarterbacks trusted him in tight spots.
In the NFL he would benefit from playing as a big slot receiver who could match up on smaller or slower defenders and have the field stretched by a guy like DeVonta Smith. He could be a great intermediate threat in the new look Eagles offense.
Pick 3.98: Brian Parker II, Offensive Tackle, Duke
There are whispers that Lane Johnson could be hanging it up this offseason. If he does, right tackle shoots to the top need for the Eagles this spring. For now, Brian Parker II makes a ton of sense as a day two pick who could compete for starting time as a rookie. Parker is a long, agile tackle who has started the majority of his time at Duke at right tackle. He stands to put on some weight and strength at the NFL level, but he has the tools to thrive in the right offense.
Pick 4.122: Mike Washington Junior, Running Back, Arkansas
The Eagles could have a hole at RB2 this offseason. Mike Washington Junior can fill it. Built like a linebacker, Washington was one of the best players in the country at generating yards after contact in the Arkansas offense. He is a bruising back with burning straight line speed. He would be a devastating complement to Saquon Barkley in the Eagles run game.
Pick 4.136: Pat Coogan, Center, Indiana
Manifesting this pick along with most other fanbases in the NFL who know about Coogan. The dude is going to be a good player early in his career and play for a long time.
Pick 5.151: Dae’Quan Wright, Tight End, Mississippi
In one of these simulations, I am going to look at what the draft looks like if they target a tight end much earlier. Unless they re-sign Dallas Goedert or go get some other starting tight end in free agency, they’ll have a big need here.
Dae’Quan Wright has the talent to contribute in the passing game for the Eagles and has room to grow as a blocker.
Pick 5.179: Zane Durant, Defensive Tackle, Penn State
This feels like a great late round pick for the Eagles. Zane Durant might get dinged by NFL teams for being a tweener at 6’1” and under 290 pounds. But he is super athletic and can be a disruptive pass rusher in the right situation.
