The Philadelphia Eagles didn’t tiptoe through the 2026 NFL Draft. They attacked it, and according to NFL.com draft analyst Chad Reuter, they nailed it. Their balanced approach paid off with a strong overall grade. Philadelphia earned a B on Day 1 before improving to a B+ and A- on Days 2 and 3, respectively, finishing with a B+ overall. It’s a reflection of a class built as much on conviction as it was on value.

General manager Howie Roseman, his staff, and the scouting department certainly set the tone early. That theme continued through all three days of the draft.

The Eagles made one of the more aggressive moves of the first round, jumping ahead of the Pittsburgh Steelers to land wide receiver Makai Lemon. It wasn’t just about adding another playmaker. It was about securing a potential long-term answer at a position clouded by uncertainty. Lemon’s competitive edge clearly outweighed concerns about top-end athleticism.

Philadelphia added their tight end of the future with pass catcher Eli Stowers. He won't provide much as a blocker, at least not yet, but he's capable of lining up in multiple spots along the formation.

Investments in size and depth were also made along the offensive line with towering tackle Markel Bell and interior offensive lineman Micah Morris. Both picks reflected a front office focused on fit as much as raw ability, but this class wasn’t built solely on draft selections. Trades played a significant role in shaping the roster. Previous deals for players like Dontayvion Wicks and Sam Howell cost valuable Day 3 capital, forcing the Eagles to be selective late. Even so, they found intriguing developmental pieces in quarterback Cole Payton and safety Cole Wisniewski.

International prospect Uar Bernard represents the kind of high-risk, high-reward bet Philadelphia has become comfortable making, especially given past success stories.

There are fair questions about the cost of moving around the board and the volume of picks that were surrendered. This, however, was less about drafting players and more about targeting roles, traits, and long-term solutions. In the end, that calculated aggression is exactly why this class earned its respect. It's exactly the type of class you'd expect to see from a braintrust led by Howie Roseman.

This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: Eagles balanced risk and reward with 2026 NFL Draft class