Philadelphia enters Round 1 of the 2026 NFL Draft facing a familiar question: should Howie Roseman -- the best GM in the business -- draft for need or stick to their long-standing philosophy of building through the trenches first? Should the Eagles prioritize talent over immediate roster gaps in the first round, trusting their ability to develop players and address needs through other avenues? That approach has helped build one of the league's most consistent contenders.
With an overhauled offensive coaching staff, this year presents a compelling case for both sides of the debate. There are pressing needs at edge rusher and safety, while the consensus in the media suggests the Eagles covet an elite offensive tackle to succeed Lane Johnson in 2028 and potentially 2027.
Philadelphia's roster, while talented, has clear areas that definitely can use reinforcement. Whether it's along the offensive line, at the safety position, or at wide receiver, depending on how the board falls, there are positions where an immediate contributor could make a tangible impact. The organization has repeatedly shown that it prefers to let the board come to them, capitalizing when talented players slide. That philosophy has led to key additions in the trenches and beyond, often securing premium talent at positions that weren't viewed as immediate needs at the time. In the long run, those decisions have strengthened depth and created flexibility across the roster.
Ahead of Round 1, the Eagles Wire is predicting what Philadelphia will do with its first selection at 23rd overall.
A projected early run on offensive tackles could force the Eagles to consider trading up to secure a top target in the 2026 NFL Draft. If that happens, Philadelphia has to take a shot at Freeling over standing pat for Kadyn Proctor or Blake Miller. Tuesday's predraft buzz suggests as many as four tackles could come off the board within the first 15–17 picks, including Francis Mauigoa and Spencer Fano, along with fast-rising prospects Freeling and Proctor. Freeling's late surge has turned heads across the league, while Proctor is widely viewed as a player who could be selected much earlier than expected due to his rare physical tools and SEC pedigree.
A raw player who's still developing, Freeling is an intriguing prospect offering elite size and athleticism for the right tackle spot. Freeling is a 6'7", 315-pound offensive tackle prospect who turns just 22 years old in July. The former Bulldog finished his career with 16 career starts at left tackle, including 12 in 2025 in his lone season as a full-time starter.
This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: 2026 NFL Draft: Predicting the Eagles first round pick on Thursday