Eagles' biggest needs on Day 2 of the 2026 NFL draft

We're examining the Eagles' biggest needs on Day 2 of the draft, with Rounds 2 and 3 approaching.

Safety

Players on the roster: Drew MukubaMichael Carter IIMarcus EppsJ.T. GrayAndre' SamBrandon Johnson

Coming out of free agency, Philadelphia had Andrew Mukuba, Sydney Brown, Andre Sam, and Brandon Johnson on the roster. The Eagles then traded Brown to Atlanta and quickly re-signed Marcus Epps and added J.T. Gray. Mukuba is a guaranteed starter in Year 2, despite returning from a season-ending injury as a rookie. The second safety spot is up for grabs after Reed Blankenship's departure. Epps is a solid contributor, but he's aging and not a dominant game-changer. Gray is a special teams standout, while Sam and Johnson are back after spending 2025 on the practice squad. It may not be in the first round, but an impact player at the position is the goal.

Edge rusher

Currently on the roster: Jalyx Hunt, Nolan Smith, Arnold Ebiketie, Jose Ramirez, Joe Tryon-Shoyinka

Ebiketie joins Nolan Smith, Jalyx Hunt, and athletic, hybrid pass rushers who can get after the opposing quarterbacks. The Eagles could still add Brandon Graham to this group. A solid run defender and explosive pass rusher, Smith missed seven games in 2025, logging 31 tackles, 3 sacks, one forced fumble, 33 QB pressures, 24 QB hurries, and a 67.7 PFF grade in 12 games. Hunt became the first Eagle to lead the team in both sacks (6.5) and INTs (3) in the same season. He is the second Eagle to have 6.0+ sacks and 3.0+ INTs in a season, joining Seth Joyner (1991-92). Philadelphia has several key Day 2 draft picks, and an edge rusher should be at the top of this list.

Cornerback

Currently on the roster: Quinyon MitchellCooper DeJeanRiq WoolenKelee RingoJakorian BennettJonathan JonesMac McWilliamsTariq Castro-FieldsAmbry Thomas

The top three in this group are elite: Riq Woolen, Quinyon Mitchell, and Cooper DeJean. A key injury to any of the three would be devastating if not catastrophic, especially if that player is DeJean. Mac McWiliams is a player to watch in his second year, but veterans like Kelee Ringo, Jakorian Bennett, and Jonathan Jones may not be the answer.

Offensive guard/tackle

A down year led to Jeff Stoutland's departure. The Eagles' offensive line suffered multiple injuries in 2025. Landon Dickerson was excellent in 2024 but finished the 2025 regular season with a 60.3 PFF pass-blocking grade, which ranked only 51st among 81 qualifying guards. Jordan Mailata didn't replicate his elite 2024 campaign, but he was still Philadelphia's best offensive lineman. His 83.8 PFF overall grade ranked seventh among all offensive tackles. Johnson's value is clear: the Eagles were 8-2 with him in the lineup this season, versus 3-4 without him. During his tenure in Philadelphia, the team's record is 94-41-1 when he plays and 15-27 when he doesn't. At some point, his replacement needs to be targeted, and the Eagles are rarely bad enough to land top ten picks.

This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: Eagles' biggest needs on Day 2 of the 2026 NFL draft