Vanderbilt tight end Eli Stowers (9) celebrates a big play against Charleston Southern during their game at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025.
On the first night of the 2026 NFL Draft, the Eagles traded up — leapfrogging the Pittsburgh Steelers — to select USC wide receiver Makai Lemon with the No. 20 pick.
The selection earned the Eagles widespread acclaim, with both general manager Howie Roseman and coach Nick Sirianni touting what the reigning Fred Biletnikoff Award winner will bring to the offense.
So what do Roseman and the Eagles have up their sleeves next? Stay tuned to our tracker for Day 2 insights, with the festivities set to begin at 7 p.m. ET.
Round 2, Pick 54: Eli Stowers — Tight End, Vanderbilt
Initially a quarterback when he began his collegiate career at Texas A&M — and then also during a one-year stop at New Mexico State in 2023 — Vanderbilt made himself into one of the top tight end prospects in this year's class.
Over his two seasons at Vandy, Stowers caught 111 passes for 1,407 yards. The 23-year-old was a unanimous All-American in 2025.
Here's what NFL.com's Lance Zierlein had to say in his scouting report about the newest Eagle:
"His run-blocking ceiling might be low, but his traits create above-average potential as a pass-catching "F" tight end, fitting the growing trend of utilizing two- and three-tight-end sets more heavily."
Dallas Goedert, 31, is back one a one-year/$7 million deal for 2026. However, this selection might indicate that Goedert's ninth season in Philadelphia will be his final one.
Round 3, Pick 68: Markel Bell — Offensive Tackle, Miami
It was only a matter of time before the Eagles addressed the offensive line and they did so in a big way.
With Lane Johnson nearing the end of a Hall of Fame career, the Eagles needed to find an heir apparent sooner rather than later.
Although Bell, 21, played left tackle at the U, his 6-9, 346-pound frame is more suited to play on the right side at the NFL level.
We're leaning on Zierlein for his pre-draft scouting reports, and here's what he said about Bell:
"Mountainous tackle with rare physical attributes that work both in his favor and against him depending on the situation. There is no escaping a high center of gravity, which will impact his ability to change direction in protection and create consistent engagement as a run blocker. Bell must play in a gap-scheme attack to minimize his limitations. He has exceptional length that he puts to good use in finding static pass rushers and offering shade to the pocket. NFL edge speed and sudden inside moves could be an evergreen issue for Bell, but with coaching he could learn to mitigate those issues with his length. He has Day 3 value but might have a firm ceiling on his upside."
It sounds like he is a bit of a project, and while the Eagles used to excel on this front, they can no longer send their lineman to "Stoutland University" as Jeff Stoutland is no longer around to coach up the O-line. But if they can get Bell up to speed in time for 2027, this could turn out to be a savvy selection by Howie Roseman and his staff.
