Eagles Draft Intel: Prospect Visits Ramp Up as A.J. Brown Trade Looms Over Pick 23

The Eagles' pre-draft machine is in full gear with five weeks until the 2026 NFL Draft kicks off on April 23. Howie Roseman's front office has begun burning through their 30 allotted prospect visits, and the names coming through the JeffPlex doors paint a clear picture of Philadelphia's priorities.

Top 30 Visits: The Board Takes Shape

Four confirmed Top 30 visits have been reported so far, plus a local visit that doesn't count against the allotment. The biggest names on the list reveal Philly's draft focus areas — wide receiver, offensive line, edge rusher, and defensive back.

Omar Cooper Jr. (WR, Indiana) headlines the visitor list. The national champion Hoosier caught 69 passes for 937 yards and 13 touchdowns in 2025 while playing primarily from the slot. NFL.com's Lance Zierlein gave Cooper a Deebo Samuel comp — and with his 4.42 40-yard dash and 27 forced missed tackles, the comparison tracks. Cooper's visit came just days after the Eagles signed Marquise Brown on a one-year deal, suggesting Philly is preparing for life with or without A.J. Brown.

Vega Ioane (OG, Penn State) is widely considered the best interior offensive lineman in this class. The 6-4, 320-pound mauler allowed zero sacks and just three pressures in 310 pass-blocking snaps in 2025. He's a potential top-20 pick who may not last to 23 — but the Eagles are doing their homework just in case.

Dani Dennis-Sutton (EDGE, Penn State) brings the size the Eagles' defensive end rotation is missing at 6-6, 256. He racked up 17 sacks and 25 TFLs over 2024-2025 and already met with the Eagles at the Senior Bowl and Combine. He's a projected Day 2 pick who could complement Nolan Smith and Jalyx Hunt as a bigger-bodied edge presence.

Jalon Kilgore (DB, South Carolina) rounds out the confirmed visits. The 6-1, 210-pound hybrid defensive back ran a 4.4 at the Combine and posted eight interceptions and 21 pass breakups across three seasons. He'd fit nicely alongside Drew Mukuba in the secondary.

Drew Shelton (OT, Penn State), a Downingtown West product, gets a free local visit — no Top 30 slot burned. The two-year starting left tackle is an athletic pass protector who could develop behind Lane Johnson.

Mock Draft Consensus at Pick 23

The national mock draft landscape is converging on a few names for the Eagles at 23. Kenyon Sadiq (TE, Oregon) is a popular pick after his elite Combine showing — and with Dallas Goedert on a one-year deal, the long-term TE1 need is real. Keldric Faulk (EDGE, Auburn) appeared in PFF's simulator as a best-player-available selection. Akheem Mesidor (EDGE, Miami) got the nod from FOX's Joel Klatt, though his age (turns 25 in April) is a concern. Max Iheanachor (OT, Arizona State) appeared in two separate mocks as a developmental tackle behind Johnson.

The trade-up scenario is gaining traction too. PhillyVoice's Jimmy Kempski mocked the Eagles packaging pick 23 with future picks to move into the top 15, targeting OL or WR talent that won't be available in the mid-20s.

The A.J. Brown Trade Cloud

The elephant in every draft conversation: A.J. Brown's future. Reports indicate Brown gave the Eagles a four-team wish list for a potential trade. The Broncos just traded for Jaylen Waddle, which could impact the WR trade market. The key detail — trading Brown before June 1 costs the Eagles $27.1 million more in 2026 cap space than a post-June 1 deal, which would spread the $43.5 million dead-cap hit over two seasons.

Multiple analysts believe the Eagles will trade Brown on draft night itself. The asking price reportedly starts at a first-round pick plus a top-100 selection. If Philly can swing a Brown trade that nets a first-rounder, it would completely reshape their draft board and potentially give them two picks in the top 25.

Combine Standouts to Watch

Several prospects who fit Eagles needs lit up the Combine in Indianapolis. Oregon TE Kenyon Sadiq delivered an all-time tight end workout at 6-3, 241 pounds. Ohio State's Arvell Reese posted a blazing 4.46 40-yard dash as an edge rusher, topping the defensive workout grades. Oklahoma DT Gracen Halton hit a 36.5-inch vertical — third highest among DTs in at least 20 years. Dennis-Sutton also showed out as an impressive athlete, reinforcing his visit to Philly.

Bottom Line

The Eagles are casting a wide net — WR, EDGE, OL, DB — which makes sense given the Brown uncertainty. If he stays, expect Philly to go defense or offensive line at 23. If he's traded, a receiver becomes priority one, and the draft capital from a Brown deal could give Roseman the ammo to move up for a premium talent. Pro days continue through early April, and more visit names will trickle out. The picture gets clearer every week.