Eagles Draft Intel: Combine Week Kicks Off With A.J. Brown Trade Buzz and Big Needs at Pick 23

The NFL Scouting Combine is officially underway in Indianapolis, and for the Eagles, this week is about far more than 40 times and bench press reps. With the No. 23 overall pick and a roster that just made a first-round playoff exit after winning the Super Bowl, Howie Roseman has decisions to make — and the combine is where those decisions start taking shape.

The A.J. Brown Elephant in the Room

The biggest storyline following the Eagles into Indianapolis is whether A.J. Brown will be traded this offseason. Multiple outlets — ESPN, CBS Sports, and others — have already published detailed trade scenarios. Brown carries a $29 million salary in 2026, and ESPN's Jeremy Fowler has floated a deal sending him to the Browns for a first-round pick. CBS Sports mocked up five different blockbuster scenarios, while another proposal has the Broncos packaging cornerback Riley Moss, a 2026 second-round pick, and a 2027 fifth-rounder for Brown.

Roseman and head coach Nick Sirianni are scheduled to meet with the media on Monday, February 24 — and the Brown situation will dominate every question. If Brown goes, the passing game gets gutted. DeVonta Smith is the only major pass-catcher still under contract. Jahan Dotson, Dallas Goedert, and Grant Calcaterra are all scheduled to hit free agency.

Mock Draft Consensus: Trenches, Tight End, or Receiver

The mock draft landscape for the Eagles at No. 23 is all over the map, but a few names keep surfacing. NBC Sports Philadelphia's Dave Zangaro has the Eagles going to the trenches — consistent with Roseman's historical draft philosophy. USA Today's Jack McKessy mocked Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq to Philly, addressing the Goedert-sized hole. NFL Network's Daniel Jeremiah has Clemson corner Avieon Terrell landing at 23, while Chad Reuter mocked Arizona State receiver Jordyn Tyson to the Eagles in a trade-up scenario.

The corner pick is the least likely of the bunch. With Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean forming arguably the best young corner duo in football, spending a first-rounder on a third corner who would only play in nickel packages makes little sense — especially when the offensive line and pass-catching corps have far more pressing needs.

Lance Zierlein of NFL.com mocked Texas A&M edge rusher Cashius Howell to Philadelphia. That one makes sense on paper — Jalyx Hunt led the team with just 6.5 sacks last season — but the Eagles already invested in the position by trading for Jaelan Phillips and developing Nolan Smith. Unless Phillips walks in free agency, edge is not the priority.

Combine Week Schedule and Key Dates

The combine runs through March 2 with 319 invited prospects. On-field workouts run February 26 through March 1, with position groups cycling through daily. The new league year begins March 11 — that is when trades and free agent signings become official. The NFL Draft is set for April 23-25 in Pittsburgh.

The Falcons already made a move that impacts the Eagles, slapping a franchise tag on tight end Kyle Pitts and his 928 receiving yards. That takes a premier Goedert replacement off the board. Tennessee's Chig Okonkwo and Baltimore's Isaiah Likely remain potential targets if the Eagles go the free agent route at tight end.

The Bottom Line

This is a pivotal week for the Eagles. The Brown decision will cascade into everything — draft strategy, free agency targets, cap allocation. If Roseman trades Brown and gets a first-rounder back, suddenly Philadelphia could be picking twice in the first round with ammunition to address both the offensive line and receiving corps. If Brown stays, the focus at 23 likely shifts to the trenches or tight end. Either way, the combine is where the 2026 Eagles roster starts getting built. Stay locked in.