Eagles News: “The Eagles think that second-year man Darius Cooper will make a big leap”

Q: What improvements are expected from Darius Cooper in his second year?

The Eagles expect Darius Cooper to make a significant leap in performance during his second season.

Q: Who are the key veterans in the Eagles' wide receiver group?

Key veterans in the Eagles' wide receiver group include A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, Hollywood Brown, Wicks, and Elijah Moore.

Q: What are the Eagles' needs in the upcoming NFL Draft?

The Eagles need to add a high-level edge rusher and are also looking to strengthen their wide receiver depth.

Q: What is the current status of A.J. Brown with the Eagles?

A.J. Brown remains a member of the Eagles, but there are speculations about a potential trade before the start of training camp.

Jan 4, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Darius Cooper (80) makes a catch as Washington Commanders cornerback Jonathan Jones (31) defends during the second quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images | Eric Hartline-Imagn Images ***Let’s get to the Philadelphia Eagles news and links …*** Spadaro: The Eagles continue to add talent and depth at wide receiver – PhiladelphiaEagles.com “That room” is now in prime shape with veteran Eagles A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith leading the way and offseason additions – all veterans, too – Hollywood Brown, Wicks, and Elijah Moore – bringing their skill sets to the mix. The Eagles also think that second-year man Darius Cooper will make a big leap, they want to see young receiver healthy, they know is an accomplished return man and reliable receiver, and there is more veteran experience with and looking to open eyes in the spring and summer. This is an incredibly strong EDGE class, particularly on Day 2, and I fully expect the Eagles to target the position in Rounds 1 or 2. Losing in free agency has left a real hole in the pass-rush rotation. The current group of Nolan Smith, , and has some promise, but not nearly enough proven talent at the top. The Eagles badly need to add a high-level edge rusher to that group. There is real variety in this class – pass-rushing specialists, run defenders, and players who can do a bit of everything. Some of the names near the top of this board may not make it to pick 23, but with the depth in this class on Day 2, the Eagles should have plenty of options regardless of how the first round shakes out. I would be very surprised if the Eagles don’t address this position early. Eagles GM Howie Roseman continues to say Brown is a member of the Eagles, and that is an unassailable fact. But what sources have pointed out to me is that Brown has done nothing publicly to try to punch his way out of Philly, and those sources have theorized that Brown may an understanding that a deal will take place at some point in the summer. Making a public stink does not help his position, especially when he could be on another team by OTAs and minicamp in June anyway. Philadelphia has positioned itself to move forward in 2026 with a receivers group that can live without Brown. At this point it would be a surprise if Brown is not on a new team by the start of training camp. (2020). Reagor was probably more of a second- or third-round prospect that the Eagles reached for because they felt they needed to add more speed to their offense. Worse, they selected Reagor over a clearly more talented receiver in , who some with the team perceived to be a high-volume slot receiver. Oops! As it turned out, Jefferson did everything the Eagles thought Reagor could do, but far, faaaar better. In this case, big picture, the Eagles simply got the evaluation way wrong. But if you want to pinpoint a more specific mistake, they got fixated on one particular trait instead of viewing each prospect through a broader lens. The Eagles have a good starter in , a good backup in and a good number three in . There doesn’t appear to be room for another QB, but the team is checking out draft prospects and keeping their options open. I think they would be open to trading McKee if the right offer comes along. This could happen during the draft if some teams misses out on a QB they like. I don’t think Howie is actively shopping McKee, but the addition of a veteran like Dalton gives them the freedom to make a trade if they want to. This is not a good QB class so I don’t anticipate the Eagles spending an early pick on one. Still, you never know who the team is going to feel strongly about. Back in 2012 they really wanted . They were too patient and grabbed him. Howie took that lesson to heart in 202o. The team liked Hurts a lot and pounced on him in the second round. That pick caught all of us off guard. That turned out to be a brilliant move. So never say never. Johnson will turn 36 in May and will enter Year 14 of his incredible career in 2026 after pondering retirement this offseason. Is it possible that Johnson plays beyond this season? Sure. And if Johnson plays well this season, the Eagles will be rooting for it. But the Eagles have also seen the value of drafting a replacement early to learn from an all-time great. They did that to perfection in 2022 when they selected center in the second round out of Nebraska. ended up playing two more seasons and Jurgens didn’t become a full-time starter until 2024, his third NFL season, but the Eagles saw the value in that relationship. “I said when we talked about Kelce, at some point he was going to retire and then there’d be this legend of Jason Kelce, but Cam got to see it and he got to see what it took to be a Pro Bowl level player,” Roseman said. “There’s value like that as long as the player in and of himself is worthy of the selection of wherever you’re taking him.” To that point, Roseman emphasized on Tuesday that having a mentor in place isn’t enough. The first thing on the checklist is the evaluation of the prospect. It has to be. What are you hearing on the Eagles’ plans at No. 25? : The offensive line was an issue for the first time in a long time last season, and there’s evidence the Eagles could invest early in the trenches after the bulk of their predraft visits were dedicated to that position group. Right tackle Lane Johnson and left guard both contemplated retirement this offseason, further emphasizing the need to fortify the front. However, they won’t force a pick. Philadelphia is primarily focused on walking away with what it considers a first-round talent, whether that’s at O-line, receiver, tight end or otherwise. Eagles: Brian Westbrook. Your game ticket is your concert ticket on Friday, April 17, for the Postgame Concert presented by Jim Beam *after the 6:40 p.m. series opener.* Philadelphia Eagles defensive coordinator and Super Bowl champion Vic Fangio will throw a ceremonial first pitch. [BLG Note: Not Eagles DT Jordan Davis.] “Whatever the case may be, the expectation continues to be that the Cowboys are going to go heavy defense, so it makes sense for the team to give defensive coordinator Christian Parker a lot of weight for who the team picks. That nugget comes from CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones, who is reporting that Parker’s influence is “significant” when it comes to who the Cowboys pick in the first round next Thursday. “The influence new defensive coordinator Christian Parker will have on what the Cowboys do is significant, I’m told,” Jones said. “Jerry Jones believes Parker’s hire is a coup for the team, and they are listening closely to what the first-time DC has to say about these prospects.” The NFL draft is a week from today. Washington Commanders general manager Adam Peters and assistant general manager Lance Newmark are in Ashburn today answer questions about the next week’s big three-day event. Peters said the team isn’t actively trying to trade back from their first-round pick(#7), and they’ll trust their board if they pick there. They need to nail that pick, and Peters emphasized not overthinking it, trying to ply 3D chess. New York Giants defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence “does indeed want out of New York,” according to reporting from CBS Sports NFL insider Jonathan Jones. Lawrence, who has requested a trade and is not attending voluntary offseason workouts, has been said to want an contract extension and a raise from his current four-year, $90 million deal, which carries an average annual value of $22.5 million. Teams looking for trench warriors will have plenty to choose from in the 2026 class. Although questions persist on whether there is a true franchise OT in the group, the mix of quality left and right tackles will enable teams to quickly rebuild their bookends. Spencer Fano is a barroom brawler possessing the athleticism and body control to thrive in any scheme. With polished technical skills as a run blocker and pass protector, the 6-6, 311-pounder is a top-10 player in this class. Francis Mauigoa is a mauler with the heavy hands and nasty temperament to dominate defenders at the point of attack. While the product must play with better pad level, the 6-6, 329-pound junior is a Day 1 starter at right tackle. Caleb Lomu is a natural left tackle with the athleticism and movement skills to shadowbox elite pass rushers on the edge. The two-year starter must refine his run-blocking technique, but it is hard to find athletic bookends with elite footwork and movement skills. Kadyn Proctor is a massive edge blocker with the talent and potential to star at the next level. Although his weight issues could impact his play, there is no denying the Alabama star’s talent and potential if he refines his game under a detail-oriented coaching staff. Monroe Freeling is an ultra-talented edge blocker with the physical tools to blossom into a franchise left tackle. The long-limbed blocker’s elite movement skills and athleticism will prompt a team to draft him early despite his inexperience and need for skill refinement. Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama: He’s an out-of-shape bust! When Alabama’s Kadyn Proctor showed up at the scouting combine standing 6’ 6 ⅝” and weighing 352 pounds, you could hear the entire Draft Industrial Complex (and a lot of NFL teams) breathing a rather large sigh of relief. Because Proctor’s weight has been an issue in the past. It’s one reason why, in 2023, Proctor looked like a whale out of water as the Crimson Tide’s left tackle. That’s when he allowed 12 sacks and 36 total pressures in 408 pass-blocking snaps, and if you told me at that point that he was a future first-round pick, I would asked you for some of what you were smoking. That has seemed to stick with Proctor to a point, even though his blocking and conditioning have improved exponentially over the last two seasons. In 2025, he gave up two sacks and 21 pressures in 611 pass-blocking snaps (by far his career high), and he was much more forceful and agile overall. … **Social Media Information:** BGN Facebook Page: BGN Twitter: BGN BlueSky: BGN Instagram: BGN Manager: Follow Brandon Lee Gowton on **** | **** | **** BGN Radio Twitter: