Why the Eagles Should Trade Up for a Tackle in the 2026 NFL Draft

The Case for Trading Up

With 22 days until the 2026 NFL Draft, the Eagles' path forward is becoming clearer. Brandon Lee Gowton of Bleeding Green Nation made the case on Birds 365 Tuesday: the Eagles should use their extra draft picks to trade up for an offensive tackle.

The logic is straightforward. The Eagles are about to spend massive money on the defensive side of the ball with Jalen Carter and Quinyon Mitchell extensions on the horizon. The path to keeping the roster competitive means getting younger and cheaper on offense — and that starts with finding Lane Johnson's eventual replacement.

The Tackle Market

This draft class features seven or eight tackles who could go in the first round, creating favorable conditions for a trade-up. The names to watch:

Kadyn Proctor would have been the pick if Jeff Stoutland were still coaching the offensive line. He's the most Eagles-compatible prospect — a mauler in the run game with the athleticism to handle speed rushers.

Blake Miller has emerged as a target after Stoutland's departure changed the offensive line philosophy.

Monroe Freeling is the most athletic of the group but will likely go too high for the Eagles to reach.

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Howie Roseman's Draft-Proofing Genius

One element that deserves more attention: Roseman's ability to set roster floors through shrewd acquisitions. The Joe Tryon signing, the Elijah Moore pickup, the Damien Pierce addition — none of these players might make significant impacts, but they ensure the Eagles aren't desperate at any position entering the draft.

That flexibility lets Roseman draft for value rather than need, which is exactly how championship rosters are built. If the tackle board falls right, the Eagles can be aggressive. If it doesn't, they're not forced into a reach.

The Bottom Line

The Eagles' Super Bowl window with this core is narrowing. The offensive line that powered the 2024 championship run wasn't perfect, but it was dominant. Recreating that level of play means investing early and investing often at the tackle position.

With extra picks and a GM who excels at draft-day trades, the 2026 draft should be about one thing: protecting the future of this offense, whether Jalen Hurts adapts to the new system or not.