Three Eagles Players Who Should Be Completely Untouchable This Offseason

With Howie Roseman set to be one of the most active GMs at the NFL Combine this week, the trade rumors are already flying. A.J. Brown's name is everywhere. Other veterans could be on the block. But there are three players the Eagles should refuse to discuss under any circumstances.

First: Jordan Mailata. The Australian rugby convert has developed into one of the best left tackles in football, and he's still in the prime of his career. With Lane Johnson aging and the offensive line in flux, Mailata represents the one piece of the line's future that's locked in. Trading him would be organizational malpractice.

Mailata's combination of size, athleticism, and technique is virtually impossible to replace through the draft or free agency. Left tackles of his caliber almost never hit the open market, and when they do, they command contracts that dwarf what Mailata is currently making. He's a bargain and a building block. Untouchable.

Second: DeVonta Smith. If Brown gets traded, Smith becomes the entire passing game. Even if Brown stays, Smith's route-running ability and reliability make him essential to whatever Sean Mannion is building on offense. You don't trade away one of your best offensive weapons when you're trying to fix an offense that couldn't throw the ball effectively.

Smith might not have the splash-play ability of Brown, but his consistency is arguably more valuable for a quarterback like Hurts who needs reliable options in the short and intermediate passing game. Moving him would be a white flag on the 2026 season.

Third: Jalen Carter. The defensive tackle is a game-wrecker who's still developing. At just 24 years old, Carter's ceiling is terrifying for opposing offensive coordinators. He's the kind of player you build a defense around for the next decade, and Vic Fangio's scheme maximizes his disruptive ability.

Carter's production speaks for itself, but his impact goes beyond the stat sheet. He commands double teams on virtually every snap, freeing up the edge rushers and linebackers around him. That kind of interior pressure is the hardest thing to find in the NFL and the most valuable.

Everyone else? Listen to offers. Even A.J. Brown, as talented as he is, has a price where trading him makes sense for the long-term roster construction. But Mailata, Smith, and Carter are the three pillars of the Eagles' future. Any conversation that includes their names should end before it starts.

Roseman has shown he's willing to make bold moves. That's one of his greatest strengths as a GM. But the boldest move this offseason might be knowing which players to hold onto no matter what anyone offers.