The Eagles' Secret Day 2-3 Draft Playbook: Why Howie Roseman Swings for Home Runs

Howie's Home Run Philosophy

The Philadelphia Eagles don't draft for need on Day 3 of the NFL Draft. They never have under Howie Roseman, and 2026 won't be any different.

As discussed on Birds 365, Roseman's approach to late-round picks is deceptively simple: find one special trait and bet on development. It's the reason Moro Jomo — a seventh-round pick who was dramatically undersized — became a legitimate NFL contributor. Tremendous quickness was his calling card. The Eagles bet on it, got him stronger in the weight room, and the gamble paid off.

One Trait to Rule Them All

Every recent late-round Eagle can be distilled to a single defining characteristic. Kenny Gainwell? Quickness and receiving ability — it's manifested itself at the NFL level. Grant Calcaterra? Receiving upside at tight end. Johnny Wilson? Size and physicality. Jeremiah Trotter Jr.? Football IQ. Kelee Ringo? Length and speed.

Not all of them work out. But the philosophy is consistent: Roseman isn't looking for singles on Day 3. He's looking for home runs. And if a home run swing produces a single or double along the way, that's factored into the equation.

The Travis Burke Wrinkle

One name that raised eyebrows this week: Travis Burke, the 6'9", 325-pound tackle from Memphis. Most evaluators have a Day 3 grade on Burke, but the Eagles brought him in for a visit anyway.

The visit signals something important about the post-Stoutland era. The Eagles are still hunting for the athlete at offensive tackle — massive frame, elite arm length (34 1/4 inches), developmental upside. It's the kind of swing-for-the-fences pick that defines Roseman's Day 3 approach.

Tight End: The Hidden Goldmine

This is one of the deepest tight end classes in recent memory, and the Eagles know it. With Dallas Goedert on a one-year deal and the rest of the room on expiring contracts, tight end could be where Roseman remakes the position group entirely.

The Stanford blocking tight end and Justin Jolie from NC State represent a potential double-dip strategy — one blocker, one receiver — that would leave the Eagles significantly better than where they started. Both could be available on Day 2 or early Day 3.

What It Means for April 24

With four premium picks (one first, three seconds) and multiple Day 3 selections, the Eagles are positioned to address offensive line and edge rusher up top while swinging for home runs at tight end, running back, and safety later.

The draft is 28 days away. The Eagles know exactly what they're looking for — they just need the board to cooperate.