Eagles Draft Intel: Kenyon Sadiq Consensus Growing, A.J. Brown Saga Looms Over Pick 23
Eagles Draft Intel: Kenyon Sadiq Consensus Growing, A.J. Brown Saga Looms Over Pick 23
With the 2026 NFL Draft now just six weeks away in Pittsburgh, the Eagles draft picture is crystallizing — and it is impossible to separate from the A.J. Brown trade saga that continues to dominate the offseason conversation.
Mock Draft Consensus: Kenyon Sadiq at No. 23
Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq has become the runaway consensus pick for Philadelphia at No. 23 overall. Mel Kiper Jr. (ESPN), Lance Zierlein (NFL.com), Reuben Frank (NBC Sports Philadelphia), and ClutchPoints all have Sadiq landing with the Eagles in their latest mocks.
The reason is simple: Sadiq turned in arguably the greatest tight end combine performance ever. At 6-foot-3, 241 pounds, he ran a 4.39 40-yard dash with a 43.5-inch vertical and a 1.54 10-yard split — numbers that outpaced many of the wide receivers at the combine. With Dallas Goedert entering his age-31 season and facing potential free agency, the Eagles could have their next-generation weapon at tight end.
If Not Sadiq: OT Caleb Lomu or WR KC Concepcion
If Sadiq comes off the board early — the Rams are considered a threat — the Eagles have fallback options. ESPN Jordan Reid mocked Utah offensive tackle Caleb Lomu to Philly. At 6-foot-6, 313 pounds with a sub-5.0 40, Lomu profiles as Lane Johnson eventual successor. NFL.com Bucky Brooks went with Texas A&M wide receiver KC Concepcion, a dynamic slot weapon who doubled as an All-American punt returner.
Yahoo Sports latest mock also had the Eagles going offensive line, noting that defaulting to trenches under Howie Roseman is never a bad bet — especially with Johnson contemplating retirement.
The Athletic latest seven-round mock also explored tight end Kenyon Sadiq landing in Philly, while noting offensive lineman Zuhn as a potential mid-round target for his lateral quickness and zone-blocking fit.
Top 30 Visits: Omar Cooper Kicks Things Off
The Eagles Top 30 pre-draft visits are officially underway at the Jefferson Health Training Complex. The first confirmed visitor: Indiana wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. The 6-foot, 204-pound slot weapon caught 69 passes for 937 yards and 13 touchdowns during Indiana perfect 16-0 national championship run.
Additionally, the Eagles held a formal combine interview with Vanderbilt tight end Eli Stowers and had a formal meeting with Arizona State offensive tackle Max Iheanachor. The wide receiver visit is particularly notable — regardless of what happens with Brown, Philadelphia needs depth after Jahan Dotson departure.
PennLive flagged the Cooper visit as a potential signal that the Eagles are preparing for a scenario where they acquire additional draft capital — possibly via an A.J. Brown trade — and target receivers in the middle rounds.
The A.J. Brown Variable
Every Eagles draft conversation runs through the A.J. Brown situation. Here is where things stand as of March 13: Roseman reportedly declined a first-and-third-round package from the Patriots, holding out for more. Per NFL Network Mike Garafolo, Roseman has even floated the idea of a split trade structure. Adam Schefter reports the Eagles will not move Brown without a deal they consider fair.
The Athletic Dianna Russini reports no team has made an official offer yet, though multiple teams are internally discussing packages. Brown camp has done recon on potential landing spots, per Albert Breer. A pre-June 1 trade would hit the Eagles with a $43.5 million dead cap charge, making a post-June 1 designation or draft-day deal more likely.
If Brown does get moved, the Eagles would likely acquire additional premium picks — potentially reshaping their entire draft board and making receivers like Cooper or Concepcion even more relevant targets.
Edge Rush Still in Play
A to Z Sports published a full edge-rusher mock exercise for the Eagles this week, noting that with Jaelan Phillips future uncertain, the defensive front alongside Jalen Carter and Jordan Davis could use reinforcement. Several talented edge prospects could be available at pick 23 and beyond, making it a position to watch as the draft approaches.
Bottom Line
The Eagles draft strategy hinges on the Brown decision. Keep Brown, and pick 23 likely becomes Kenyon Sadiq or an offensive lineman. Trade Brown, and the Eagles suddenly have the ammunition to address multiple positions — receiver, edge, tight end — across the first two days. Either way, Roseman Top 30 visits over the next few weeks will tell us everything about which direction Philadelphia is leaning.
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