Iggles Blitz

by Tommy Lawlor

Eagles Mock Draft 2.0

Posted April 20th, 2026 | No Comments »

Two posts in one day? It is that time of the year. We are now just days away from the draft so it is time for me to put out another mock draft. This is a combination of what I think the Eagles will and and players that I like, who also happen to be good fits. I didn’t include any trades. I wanted to focus on what could happen if the Eagles stay put. We know Howie will be trading, up and down. I used a variety of sources to try to get the values right. It would be great to have a bunch of guys fall to the Eagles. As Howie always says, hope for the best, but prepare for the worst.

1 – 23 – OT Max Iheanachor – Arizona State – 6-5, 321

Shocking, huh? I know most mock drafts have this pick. I’m guessing that both Monroe Freeling and Kadyn Proctor will be off the board. Iheanachor has a higher ceiling than Caleb Lomu or Blake Miller. Iheanachor could come in and work at RG as a rookie or they could have him focus on RT to get ready for the future. He is a terrific prospect. He’s got good size and length. He ran 4.91 at the Combine, with a 10 split of 1.74. That’s excellent for a big man. Iheanachor has good feet and is a good pass protector. He faced some elite pass rushers in the Big 12 and more than held his own. He shows a real nasty streak, wanting to bury defenders when he’s got the chance. Iheanachor had a strong season. He followed that with impressive showings at both the Senior Bowl and Combine. He’s checked all the boxes and would be an outstanding heir apparent to Lane Johnson.

2 – 54 – Edge R Mason Thomas – Oklahoma – 6-2, 241

Is he undersized? Yes. So he must be a great athlete, right? Not really. What Thomas is…a total bad ass. He flies around the field blowing up everything he can. And while he’s small, he’s tough as nails. Better run defender than some guys who are bigger than him. Thomas plays with a real chip on his shoulder. He had 15.5 sacks over the past two seasons combined, along with 22 TFLs and 4 FFs. He is a disruptive force and playmaker. Big OTs think they are going to dominate him, but often end up feeling differently after the game. Loved watching this guy play. The Eagles have shown some interest in him. While the Eagles might ideally prefer a bigger edge rusher, the real key is finding someone who can play the run and affect the QB. Thomas can do both.

3 – 68 – WR Bryce Lance – NDSU – 6-3, 204

We know the Eagles need to add a receiver and they swing for the fences here. Howie loves players that have big time potential. Lance is a big WR who also happens to run 4.32 and has a vertical of 41.5 inches. That’s a special athlete. Sean Mannion would be on board. He had a big, fast WR from NDSU with the Packers, Christian Watson. Watson was a difference maker for Green Bay. Lance would have a chance to be that kind of player for Philly. Lance isn’t just a size/speed guy. He’s a talented receiver with good hands. He didn’t face top competition and needs work on route-running, but could develop into a key player for the Eagles. He would give them a field-stretcher and playmaker. They have been checking out a lot of speedy receivers so he’s what they would be looking for. Lance posted gaudy numbers over the past two seasons. In 2024 he was 75-1053-17 and in last season he was 51-1079-8. Averaged 17 yards per catch for his career.

3 – 98 – TE Justin Joly – NC State – 6-4, 241

I thought about going with Sam Roush here, but I feel like Joly is a player Howie and the Eagles would like better. He is a natural pass-catcher and good athlete. While he lacks ideal size, he is a willing blocker and has potential in that area. Joly has good RAC ability, which is one of the reasons I went with him over Roush. Joly is more agile and natural on the move. I think that will be key in the new scheme. He can line up out wide, in the slot or in-line. Joly is a good route-runner and shows a good feel for getting open. Caught 166 passes over his career so he’s a proven pass-catcher. Had 7 TDs last season. The Eagles did meet with him at the Combine.

4 – 114 – OG Brian Parker – Duke – 6-5, 309

With Landon Dickerson’s future uncertain, the Eagles need to add a guard to the mix. Parker played RT for Duke, but doesn’t have the footwork and length you need to be a starting OT in the NFL. He went to the Shrine Game and played G/C. Parker looked natural on the inside. He has good size and is a solid athlete. You will love his tenacity as a run blocker. He really gets after it. Parker has quick feet and gets off the ball really well. I think he would be a good fit in the new offense. He has RT experience and G/C ability. The Eagles love versatile blockers like that. Could be similar to Jack Driscoll in that regard. I do think Parker can be a good starting OG at the next level.

4 – 137 – SAF Jakobe Thomas – Miami – 6-1, 211

The Eagles need someone to pair with Drew Mukuba long term. Thomas would be a good complement. He has good size and is a physical player. Thomas could play more underneath if they want Mukuba being the deep guy. Thomas lacks ideal speed at 4.57, but plays plenty fast and shows good range. He’s also a playmaker, which the Eagles really value. Had 5 INTs, 2 FF, 3.5 sacks and 6 PDs as a senior. Finished career with 9 INTs and 16 PDs. Thomas is a strong tackler and can be an impact hitter. He trusts his eyes and attacks whatever is in front of him. Has good hands and can make tough catches.

5 – 178 – DT Jordan van den Berg – Georgia Tech – 6-3, 310

I thought about going with a LB here, but feel there is more need for another DL. Van den Berg is a former rugby player so he is a tough and physical player. He’s also a great athlete. He ran 4.94 at his Pro Day and had a crazy short shuttle time of 4.19. That’s better than LeSean McCoy. He began at Penn State and then transferred to GT. Really emerged in his senior season. Had 44 tackles, 11 TFLs and 3 sacks. Van den Berg plays with good leverage and will take on double teams so he’s not just an upfield guy. He is highly disruptive when he does attack upfield. Quick off the ball and has outstanding lateral agility. The Eagles have spoken with him. Would be a good scheme fit and great value.

6 – 197 – CB Latrell McCutchin – Houston – 6-2, 191

The Eagles are good at CB for this season, but could use someone to add to the mix for the future. McCutchin has the kind of size and speed they like (4.43). He is a good overall athlete witih a 38-inch vertical and  3-cone time of 7.00. He had 10 PBUs last season. The downside is that he never had an INT in college. McCutchin has good man cover skills and will go hit and tackle. He gets a good break on the ball and shows good ball skills. He just doesn’t have good hands. He was a key STer for Houston so if he doesn’t pan out on defense could at least over value there.

*****

If Howie can move down and add more late picks, the Eagles could go for a LB, another safety or a QB. There would also be the possibility of a second TE. I don’t want him moving down too much, but adding an extra pick or two would be great. I especially like the depth at TE and safety.

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Monday Morning News Blitz

Posted April 20th, 2026 | No Comments »

I woke up this morning and suddenly there were a ton of Eagles related nuggets in the news and on Twitter. Since this draft week, people will be putting out a ton of content, some good and some just noise. Let’s go over what’s out there.

Boom. That’s quite a nugget to read first thing. Nothing is official, obviously. It feels like there is a possibility the two teams have the framework for a trade in place that will take place in June due to the cap issues. We know they have had a lot of discussions. There isn’t a receiver the Pats can add in the draft who would make them less interested in Brown. That’s the problem with picking 31st.

Since nothing is official another team could jump into the mix. A lot can change between now and June. You never wish for someone to get hurt or arrested or anything bad, but a contending team could lose a WR and suddenly find themselves desperate for help.

This doesn’t necessarily mean anything, but it feels worth mentioning.

*****

Schefter then had this to say.

The Eagles could be making more trades beyond any Brown-related move. League sources say that general manager Howie Roseman is plotting to make a deal on draft weekend. Roseman usually has a trick or two up his sleeve, and other front office executives suspect there’s one coming this week.

The obvious move would be a trade for Vikings edge rusher Jonathan Greenard. He reports the Vikings are looking for a Day 2 pick, which is what we’ve heard. The complication is that Greenard also wants a new deal. That lessens his value, even if just a bit. The teams have talked about a deal for Greenard, but Minnesota doesn’t seem in a rush to move him. Jeremy Fowler reports the team doesn’t want to trade him. That could be spin or the Vikings might really want to keep him. They just don’t seem to want to give him the new deal.

Greenard is a good pass rusher. He had 12.5 sacks for the Texans in 2023 and 12 for the Vikings in 2024. He only had 3 last year, despite having a 23.3% pass rush win rate. His QB hits fell to 12 so pressure was there, but he just wasn’t getting his hands on the QB. Greg Cosell is high on Greenard. x

Howie has legit interest, but is hesitant to pay the price the Vikings want. Deadlines spur action so if something is going to happen it will likely be this week. Greenard isn’t the only pass rusher who might be available.

Could be another option for the Eagles if they prefer a veteran edge rusher. Highsmith had 9.5 sacks and 19 QB hits last year. Herbig, who is youngerk, had 7.5 sacks and 18 QB hits. Both of them would be good fits in Fangio’s scheme. Tanner McKee for Highsmith? Could make sense for both sides.

Giants edge rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux is reportedly available as well. He only had 2.5 sacks and 9 QB hits last year, but the Giants are still looking for a good return for him. I think I would rather go with a draft pick than him. Still, always good to have options.

The Eagles will add a key pass rusher this week, whether in the draft or in a trade.

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A quick draft nugget of interest.

McCoy is purely a health issue. He’s coming off a torn ACL. He’s fine now, but there is some long term concern. I doubt the Eagles have serious interest in a first round corner.

I’m sure the Eagles have interest in both Faulk and Proctor. They could both go Top 15 or they could be on the board in the 20’s. I feel Proctor goes in the Top 20. The issue with him is his weight and sloppy play at the beginning of the year. I think his Combine performance and team visits have made people more comfortable that they can trust him. Faulk just wasn’t productive. He had 3 sacks last year despite being big and athletic. That has some teams concerned. His potential is through the roof so he will be a first rounder. We just don’t know how early.

*****

There is a growing buzz that the Cardinals want to move back into the first round for QB Ty Simpson. If so, the Eagles will be one of the teams they talk to about a trade. I think Howie would prefer to stay put, but the right offer could change that. Just another scenario to keep in mind.

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