Why the Eagles Are Going All-In on Offensive Line in the 2026 Draft
Spencer Fanou could fall to pick 23 because of his short arms. Blake Miller is the Lane Johnson replacement bet. The Eagles might take three offensive linemen in this draft — and the reasoning is sound.
The JAKIB Staff
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The Case for Carpet Bombing the O-Line
The Eagles could have three starting offensive line spots open by 2027. Landon Dickerson's body might not hold up another full season. Tyler Steen's rookie contract expires. Lane Johnson could retire. The pipeline — Miles Hinton, Cameron Williams, Drew Kendall — is unproven.
The fix is obvious: make this a heavy offensive line draft. And the 2026 class cooperates perfectly.
Spencer Fanou — The Dream Scenario
Fanou is a top-10 talent with one problem: his arms measured short at the combine. Shorter than Will Campbell's. If NFL teams view him as an interior lineman rather than a tackle, he could slide past the teens and into Eagles range at 23.
The versatility is what makes him special. He could play all five positions on the line. Center, guard, tackle — wherever you need him. That's the safest kind of prospect, and exactly what a team in transition needs.
Would the Eagles trade up to 17 or 18 if Fanou starts to fall? If Howie loves him, that's striking distance.
Blake Miller — The Lane Johnson Succession Plan
If Fanou doesn't make it, Blake Miller from Clemson is the most likely first-round target. Long arms, athletic, moves well in space — the profile the Eagles will want for a Shanahan-influenced offense. He projects as the right tackle of the future.
The concern is core strength. He gets pushed back more than you'd like. But the physical tools are elite, and with development, he could be a decade-long starter.
Beyond Round One
The draft strategy doesn't stop at pick 23. Two interior linemen and a tackle spread across days one through three is realistic. Max Yachana from Arizona State is a developmental tackle with incredible feet. The deep tight end class (Oscar Delp, Sam Raus, Jack Ingersoll) means that position can wait until day three.
This is an offensive draft for a team that needs to rebuild its greatest strength. The foundation that Stoutland built needs fresh concrete — and April is when the Eagles pour it.
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