The national media is taking notice of what Howie Roseman accomplished last weekend.
ESPN released their rankings of the best picks in the 2026 NFL Draft, and the Philadelphia Eagles landed two selections in the top 27 - including one in the top four.
First-round pick Makai Lemon came in as the 4th best pick in the entire draft, while second-round selection Eli Stowers rounded out the list at No. 27.
Lemon: "An Exceptional Value"
ESPN's analysts praised the Eagles' aggressive move to trade up with the Cowboys and secure Lemon at pick No. 20. The USC receiver was their top-ranked wideout in the entire class.
"Makai Lemon was an exceptional value at No. 20, especially considering predraft predictions had him going to the Rams at No. 13 or the Jets at No. 16."
The move was even shrewder than it appeared on the surface. According to ESPN, the Steelers were on the phone with Lemon telling him he would be their pick at No. 21 when Philadelphia jumped in front of them.
The Eagles played the board brilliantly, securing a future running mate for DeVonta Smith and adding a dynamic element to an offense desperately seeking more explosiveness in the passing game.
Stowers: The Athletic Freak
While Lemon grabbed the headlines, ESPN also recognized the value Philadelphia found in the second round with tight end Eli Stowers out of Vanderbilt.
The numbers speak for themselves:
- 45.5-inch vertical jump - NFL Combine record for tight ends
- 11-foot-3 broad jump - NFL Combine record for tight ends
- 4.51 forty-yard dash - Elite speed at 6-4, 251 pounds
ESPN positioned Stowers as Dallas Goedert's heir apparent, noting the veteran tight end is 31 years old with an expiring contract. The selection addresses both immediate and long-term needs around Jalen Hurts.
The Bigger Picture
ESPN's analysts noted that Philadelphia's aggressive offensive moves this draft signaled "the dawn of a new future" for the Eagles offense - particularly amid ongoing speculation about a potential A.J. Brown trade.
Whether Brown stays or goes, the Eagles now have a young, dynamic receiving corps led by DeVonta Smith, with Lemon adding slot versatility and Stowers providing a athletic chess piece at tight end.
Add in Saquon Barkley, a revamped offensive line, and new coordinator Sean Mannion's Shanahan-influenced scheme, and the pieces are in place for a significant offensive leap in 2026.
The national media sees it. Now it's time for the Eagles to prove it on the field.
