Iggles Blitz

by Tommy Lawlor

Big Night for the Eagles

Posted April 24th, 2026 | No Comments »

Howie Roseman went and got some weapons for the Eagles, on offense and defense. Good draft picks and a monster trade offered instant help for the team.

Round 1: No. 23 – WR Makai Lemon – 5-11, 192 – USC
Round 2: No. 54 – TE Eli Stowers – 6-4, 239 – Vanderbilt
Round 3: No. 68 – OT Markell Bell – 6-9, 346 – Miami
Round 3: No. 98 – traded

Let’s start with the trade.

Boom. There’s your pass rusher. We heard rumors about this for a while. Glad it finally panned out. 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.

Greenard is a proven pass rusher and immediately improves the Eagles defense.

Some have asked why not just pay Jaelan Phillips and keep the picks. We need to see the true contract details. Greenard is probably cheap enough that it made a difference. Greenard is more durable. Phillips has 28 sacks in five years. Greenard has 27.5 in the last three seasons. Greenard is more of an impact player. Phillips might become that.

Onto the draft picks.

Eli Stowers is a terrific athlete. He ran 4.51 at the Combine and then jumped 45.5 inches, which is insane for 239 pounds. He is explosive. Here are my raw notes on him.

Former QB turned into gifted pass catcher. Natural hands catcher who plucks the ball with ease. Outstanding athlete. Had a terrific showing at the Combine. Ran 4.51 and jumped 45.5 inches. Good RAC ability. Not a traditiional TE. An F type who can line up in the slot or outside. Lacks the strength and physicality to be a good in-line blocker. Will win some battles out in space. Went 62-769-4 in 2025. Could be an excellent weapon in the passing game for an NFL team.

Stowers can be TE2 this season. He must show he can be a better blocker. He was bad in college. He doesn’t need to be good, just somewhat functional. He also needs to show he can play on STs if needed.

The Eagles didn’t draft him to block. They want the guy who gets open like a WR and is a weapon in the passing game. That’s Stowers at his best.

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With pick 68 the Eagles added OT Markell Bell. He is the biggest OL in the draft. Here are my raw notes.

Massive LT. Started 5 games in ’24 and then all of ’25. JC transfer. Has arms like vines. Rare combination of size and length. Actually has pretty good feet. When he bends his knees and plays with good balance Bell is a good pass protector. As everyone saw at the Senior Bowl, he can be run over if he’s too upright and unbalanced. Was up and down in Mobile. Had a good workout at the Combine. Still feels raw. If he can polish his skills, Bell could develop into a starting OT. Won’t appeal to every team, but some will fall in love with his size and potential.

Bell will need some time as he transitions to RT. But he has a lot of potential.

The Eagles brought him to Philly for a visit so this is a player they had serious interest in.

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Friday was a good day. Stowers is another weapon for the passing game. Greenard is a top pass rusher. Bell gives you someone who could be the RT of the future.

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