The 2026 NFL Scouting Combine is in the books, and the Eagles' draft picture at pick No. 23 is coming into sharper focus. With free agency opening next week, Philadelphia's approach in the first round will hinge on what happens with their roster between now and late April — but the combine gave us plenty to chew on.
Edge rusher is emerging as the top target position for the Eagles at 23. Multiple mock drafts have the Birds taking a pass rusher, and the combine only reinforced that. Akheem Mesidor out of Miami led the ACC with 12.5 sacks in 2025 and profiles as an instant-impact player. Cashius Howell from Texas A&M ran a blazing 4.59 40-yard dash but his 30.25-inch arms raised eyebrows. Dani Dennis-Sutton from Penn State was arguably the most impressive edge rusher in Indianapolis — a 6.90 three-cone drill, 4.64 40-yard dash, and 10-foot-11-inch broad jump that led all edge rushers.
If the Eagles go offensive line instead, the name to watch is Max Iheanachor from Arizona State. The 6-foot-6, 321-pound tackle ran a 4.91 40-yard dash — tied for second-fastest among all O-linemen — and his 34-inch arms give him the length teams covet. He's a former basketball player who only started playing football in college, but he crushed both the Senior Bowl and the combine. With Lane Johnson contemplating retirement on what feels like a weekly basis, investing in the trenches makes sense.
The tight end position also lit up Indianapolis. Oregon's Kenyon Sadiq ran a record-breaking 4.39-second 40-yard dash at 241 pounds with a 43.5-inch vertical — the fastest ever for a tight end at the combine. Vanderbilt's Eli Stowers set the vertical leap record for tight ends at 45.5 inches. Either could be an option if Philly wants to add a dynamic weapon.
The biggest storyline swirling around the Eagles' draft isn't even about the draft itself — it's A.J. Brown. Reports out of the combine indicate Philadelphia would want a first-round pick plus another top-100 selection to move Brown, a price that's been described as 'unserious' by rival executives. The Patriots reportedly have internal interest. Howie Roseman publicly said the Eagles are 'in the business of keeping great players,' but if someone makes a Davante Adams-level offer, those extra picks would completely reshape the draft board.
A potential Brown trade could push the Eagles toward receiver at 23. One NJ.com mock had Philly trading down with the Rams and still landing Arizona State's Jordyn Tyson. Alabama's Germie Bernard also popped at the combine with a 4.48 40-yard dash at 206 pounds and the best three-cone drill among receivers at 6.71 seconds.
In the secondary, cornerback Tacario Davis from Washington measured in at a freakish 6-foot-4 with 33.375-inch arms and ran a 4.41 40-yard dash. He'd be a press-man dream. Safety Jalon Kilgore from South Carolina offers slot versatility with a 4.4 40-yard dash and eight career interceptions.
The bottom line: the Eagles have options at 23 and plenty of paths to improve the roster. Edge rusher feels like the most likely target right now, but the A.J. Brown situation could blow the whole thing wide open. Pro days begin this month — watch for which schools the Eagles' brass shows up at. That'll tell you everything about their real priorities.
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