NFL Draft expert reveals key hint about Eagles' first-round pick plans that may backfire as soon as next season

Philadelphia’s 2026 first-round selection could hinge on a familiar philosophy—fortifying the offensive line—but that comfort-zone approach may collide with more urgent roster holes once the new league year settles, a longtime draft analyst warned this week.

Speaking on a media conference call, NFL Draft veteran Daniel Jeremiah said he “likes big guys early” for the Eagles at pick No. 23, singling out Penn State’s Olaivavega Ioane as the ideal, albeit unlikely, prize. If Ioane is gone, Jeremiah sees a cluster of comparable prospects—Monroe Freeling, Blake Miller, and Alabama’s Kadyn Proctor—offering Philadelphia immediate depth and long-term insurance at tackle.

The logic tracks with general manager Howie Roseman’s draft history: prioritize the trenches before luxury items. Yet the coming season presents complications. All-Pro right tackle Lane Johnson confirmed he will play on, but will do so without revered line coach Jeff Stoutland for the first time. Left guard Landon Dickerson’s future beyond 2026 is also unresolved, amplifying the need for reinforcements.

Still, an early lineman may not crack the starting five in 2026, raising the stakes of the choice. Free-agency departures—safety Reed Blankenship, tight end Dallas Goedert and edge rusher Jaelan Phillips among them—leave clear voids on both sides of the ball. If the Eagles fail to secure a starting-caliber corner opposite Darius Slay, replace Goedert’s reliable middle-of-field production, or add pass-rush help, selecting a developmental blocker could look like a missed opportunity in a win-now campaign.

Jeremiah’s forecast underscores the balancing act Roseman faces: stick with a trusted blueprint or deviate to patch rosters spots that could derail a Super Bowl push as soon as next January.

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