Eagles given 2 exciting WR draft targets as replacement for A.J. Brown trade

Eagles given 2 exciting WR draft targets as replacement for A.J. Brown trade originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Philadelphia Eagles head toward the 2026 NFL Draft with plenty of present needs but also reason to think about the future.

The clear narrative of this Philly offseason has been the potential for an A.J. Brown trade, so whatever the Eagles do (or don't do) at WR during the draft will be heavily scrutinized.

ESPN analyst Ben Solak writes in a new article on Thursday that he believes the Eagles should pick a wideout pretty early in this month's draft, but not in the first round.

He then goes on to name two players:

• Bryce Lance
• Skyler Bell

MORE:How the NFL Draft impacts Eagles-Patriots A.J. Brown trade rumors

Lance is the brother of QB Trey Lance, and he also hails from North Dakota State. He's a high quality pass catcher whose main question is whether his college competition proved his overall ability well enough to NFL teams.

Bell played at a non-obvious program, too, UConn. He developed into one of the best wide receivers in the country and is capable of catching even the most difficult of passes.

In the article, Solak also suggests that the Eagles could solve a potential pass-catching void by drafting Oregon TE Kenyon Sadiq with the No. 23 overall pick in the first round -- although it's far from a given that Sadiq makes it that far down the board.

Solak sums up what the Eagles should do in the draft like this: "Weigh 2026 needs (safety, edge, WR) with big 2027 voids (offensive line, tight end) and try to split the difference."