Iggles Blitz

by Tommy Lawlor

Wild Cards

Posted April 21st, 2026 | 3 Comments »

We have all have an idea of what we think Howie Roseman will do over the next few days. He’ll target an OT in the first round. He’ll focus on the offense this year because he’s been so defense-heavy in recent drafts. So on and so forth. Let’s take a look at some players who could change things a bit if they slide a little or Howie just surprises us.

Malachi Lawrence is an edge rusher that most people had projected in the second round. He’s insanely athletic and the NFL has shown him a lot of love over the past couple of months. Now people think he could go in the 20’s. The Eagles had him in for a visit so they are interested. Howie might re-watch the last couple of Super Bowls and decide to go pass rusher at 23 and find the OT later on.

You can see from his RAS score that Lawrence is a special athlete. Then you watch him play and see that he is a complete player. He can rush, play the run and even drop into coverage. He could be the kind of edge rusher that Vic Fangio covets. If Uncle Vic talks enough, maybe Howie will listen.

Emmanuel McNeil-Warren was projected as a first rounder for a long time. Now Daniel Jeremiah is saying that he will probably fall into the second round. I think this is more about people targeting other spots than anything McNeil-Warren did. He is 6-4, 201, which is a good frame for a safety. He runs 4.52, which is fine. And his game tape is impressive.

McNeil-Warren isn’t the ideal nickel/safety that Fangio seems to prefer, but he is an impact hitter and tackler. He’s also got good ball skills. If he falls far enough in the second round, I wonder if Howie would go get him. I don’t think he will fall that far, but safety is such an unpredictable position in the draft that you never know. He and Mukuba would make an interesting pairing on the back end.

If Garrett Nussmeier somehow is available at pick 68, I could see the Eagles taking him. This isn’t about finding someone to challenge Jalen Hurts or anything like that. I can just see the Eagles liking Nussmeier. I’m sure they feel like they have a good perspective on him since his dad Doug was the OC for the Eagles in 2024.

Nussmeier is good at working the middle of the field. He came from a system that is similar to a pro offense. He has good feet and can move around in the pocket. He could develop into a solid starting QB, but would make a good backup for the next few years.

The Eagles appear set at RB. I wonder if Nick Singleton could tempt them if he’s available in the late fourth or fifth round. Singleton is a complete back. He can run, catch and block. He’s also a good KOR. You could bring him in to upgrade Will Shipley’s spot if you wanted.

Singleton has athleticism and burst that Shipley simply doesn’t have. You don’t need that from RB3 and your KOR, but Nick Sirianni obsesses on explosive plays. Singleton can deliver those because of his speed, skill set and versatility. He would be a good fit in the new offense.

The Eagles have a good DL already in place. Can you ever have enough? Caleb Banks is a really intriguing prospect. He is 6-6, 327 and has 35-inch arms. He ran 5.04 at the Combine and had a 32-inch vertical. Put on the tape and you see an absolute wrecking ball. At one point he lines up like a DE and beats the OT with a spin move. At 327 pounds! I see a guy who reminds me of Albert Haynesworth.

Banks has first round talent. He has medical concerns that mean he could fall. He injured one foot in 2024 and missed the bowl game. He injured the other foot in 2025 and only played in three games. He did make it back to play in the Senior Bowl and looked good. Still, you worry if foot issues on a massive man will be a lingering issue. If he falls to pick 54 or anywhere close, I could see Howie going after him. Howie likes special talent and Banks definitely has that. It doesn’t hurt that he’s a fellow Florida alum, like Mr. Roseman.

Fangio loves linebackers more than I love chocolate pudding. The Eagles recently had a virtual meeting with LB CJ Allen from Georgia. That doesn’t sound like a big deal until you realize that Allen could be a second round pick. Daniel Jeremiah has him as his #32 overall prospect. Dane Brugler had him going at 62 in a recent mock.

Would the Eagles jump on him at 54? That would seem kinda crazy since they just spent a first rounder on a LB last year. Allen would be Zack Baun’s long term replacement. He could develop for a year or two and then take over. I don’t love the thought of this, but it is hard to argue with Fangio. He’s pushed for a lot of players who have worked out really well so far.

I can’t wait for Thursday night to get here so we can finally see what Howie has in store, in terms of draft picks and possibly trades.

_

3 Comments on “Wild Cards”

  1. 1 Eagles News: Philadelphia exploring trade up in the 2026 NFL Draft – TomFlash News said at 10:22 AM on April 22nd, 2026:

    […] Wild Cards – Iggles BlitzIf Garrett Nussmeier somehow is available at pick 68, I could see the Eagles taking him. This isn’t about finding someone to challenge Jalen Hurts or anything like that. I can just see the Eagles liking Nussmeier. I’m sure they feel like they have a good perspective on him since his dad Doug was the OC for the Eagles in 2024. Nussmeier is good at working the middle of the field. He came from a system that is similar to a pro offense. He has good feet and can move around in the pocket. He could develop into a solid starting QB, but would make a good backup for the next few years. […]

  2. 2 Eagles News: Philadelphia exploring trade up in the 2026 NFL Draft - Philly Fan Radio said at 1:27 PM on April 22nd, 2026:

    […] Wild Cards – Iggles BlitzIf Garrett Nussmeier somehow is available at pick 68, I could see the Eagles taking him. This isn’t about finding someone to challenge Jalen Hurts or anything like that. I can just see the Eagles liking Nussmeier. I’m sure they feel like they have a good perspective on him since his dad Doug was the OC for the Eagles in 2024. Nussmeier is good at working the middle of the field. He came from a system that is similar to a pro offense. He has good feet and can move around in the pocket. He could develop into a solid starting QB, but would make a good backup for the next few years. […]

  3. 3 Eagles Information: Philadelphia exploring business up within the 2026 NFL Draft – World today said at 2:32 PM on April 23rd, 2026:

    […] Wild Playing cards – Iggles BlitzIf Garrett Nussmeier one way or the other is to be had at pick out 68, I may just see the Eagles taking him. This isn’t about discovering somebody to problem Jalen Hurts or the rest like that. I will simply see the Eagles liking Nussmeier. I’m certain they really feel like they’ve a excellent standpoint on him since his dad Doug used to be the OC for the Eagles in 2024. Nussmeier is excellent at running the center of the sphere. He got here from a device this is very similar to a professional offense. He has excellent ft and will transfer round within the pocket. He may just turn into a cast beginning QB, however would make a excellent backup for the following couple of years. […]