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Eagles urged to draft WR later, not in Round 1
TL;DR
The Philadelphia Eagles are advised to draft a wide receiver in the middle rounds rather than Round 1 of the 2026 NFL Draft. With recent additions to the roster, they can find valuable prospects like Bryce Lance and Skyler Bell later in the draft.
Key points
- Eagles advised to draft WR in middle rounds, not Round 1
- Recent roster additions reduce urgency for early WR pick
- Bryce Lance and Skyler Bell are potential mid-round targets
Bryce LanceSkyler BellPhiladelphia Eagles2026 NFL Draft
A recent NFL draft theory suggests the Philadelphia Eagles could wait on wide receiver and still find value with two intriguing mid-round prospects. Everyone has an opinion about what should be done in the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft, and those ideas are being expressed more commonly as the day and time draw nearer. Regardless of what happens with A.J. Brown, most agree on one thing. Philadelphia still needs to add to the position.The question is when, as he isn't expected to be traded on draft night.
After adding Marquise Brown, Elijah Moore, and Dontayvion Wicks this offseason, the urgency to strike early may not be as strong as it once felt. That has opened the door to another theory: the Eagles could wait until the middle rounds and still find meaningful value.
ESPN's Ben Solak joined that conversation. In his recent breakdown of how all 32 teams can approach the draft, he pointed to two under-the-radar names as potential fits: Bryce Lance of the North Dakota State Bison and Skyler Bell of the UConn Huskies. His reasoning is simple. Having another WR1 on the roster and the recent additions potentially give Philadelphia some leeway:
"The Eagles should take a receiver to eventually replace A.J. Brown, but not in the first round. With DeVonta Smith waiting in the wings as a budding WR1 and good depth in recent additions, Dontayvion Wicks and Hollywood Brown, the Eagles need only a middle-rounds prospect with a high ceiling. Think North Dakota State's Bryce Lance or UConn's Skyler Bell."
Slolak also expressed what is already a popular theory in some Eagles circles, drafting former Oregon Ducks standout Kenyon Sadiq. If he were to be added, that would probably be a first-round decision, but that begs two questions. Drafting a tight end in Round 1? Is that feasible, or should other needs be addressed first? These are compelling arguments. Both Lance and Bell bring upside without the pressure of immediate expectations. They represent the kind of developmental swings teams like Philadelphia have been willing to take in the past, especially when the roster already has established contributors.
Q&A
Why should the Eagles wait to draft a wide receiver in the middle rounds?
The Eagles have strengthened their roster with recent additions, allowing them to focus on finding value in mid-round prospects instead of needing an immediate impact player.
Who are the recommended wide receiver prospects for the Eagles in the 2026 NFL Draft?
Bryce Lance from North Dakota State and Skyler Bell from UConn are highlighted as potential fits for the Eagles in the middle rounds.
What is the current status of A.J. Brown's trade during the draft?
A.J. Brown is not expected to be traded on draft night, which influences the Eagles' strategy in selecting a wide receiver.
