I do this simulation column every year to sort of track the changes in the Philadelphia Eagles’ needs, players draft stocks, and possible pick movement. We are months away from the 2026 NFL Draft, so things are definitely subject to change with exhibition games, private workouts, interviews, and the Combine still ahead. But, as it stands today, here is how I would navigate the Eagles eight picks in the 2026 draft.
Simulation run using the Pro Football Focus Mock Draft Simulation. No trades made.
Pick 1.23: Olaivavega Ioane, Guard, Penn State
The Eagles drafted a handful of young offensive linemen over the course of the last two drafts to deepen their talent in the trenches. This year, with Landon Dickerson and Cam Jurgens battling injuries all year, we saw a huge drop off for the offensive line. Here, the Eagles spend their first day one pick on an offensive lineman since 2019. Olaivavega Ioane is a big-bodied, athletic guard who has experience playing at right and left guard and hasn’t allowed a sack since 2023. He would be an incredible addition to the Eagles offensive line.
Pick 2.54: Omar Cooper Junior, Wide Receiver, Indiana
Omar Cooper Junior was a vital part of Indiana’s offensive dominance in 2025 and helped carried their passing game all the way to a National Title. At 6’, 205 pounds, Cooper is a well built receiver who is difficult to cover man-to-man and forced 27 missed tackles on only 69 catches this year (nice). Despite only getting 69 receptions (nice), Cooper scored 13 times. In fact, his scoring efficiency stretches back to last year. Since the beginning of the 2024 season, Cooper scored on over 20% of his catches. For comparison, Devonta Smith scored on exactly 20% of his catches over his last two seasons at Alabama. However, Smith did so over nearly twice as many catches, which is why he was a top 10 pick.
Cooper played the majority of this last season in the slot, where he thrived, but has experience winning as an outside receiver. He is not the fastest player, but he is technically adept with strong hands and good ball skills. The future of the Eagles receiving group is unclear, but Cooper gives the Eagles a day one weapon who could grow into a WR2 next to DeVonta Smith in a post-AJ Brown era.
Pick 3.68: Derrick Moore, Edge Defender, Michigan
Derrick Moore was dominant in 2025. Despite being part of a heavy rotation on Michigan’s defensive line, Moore picked up 11 sacks and was disruptive on a regular basis. He has a stout, muscular build and plays with great urgency. It’s unclear how he would do in an expanded role, but he could figure as a great role player on the Eagles defense to complement Nolan Smith and Jalyx Hunt.
It’s possible the Eagles prioritize cornerback a lot earlier in the draft than this, and that would make sense. While Quinyon Mitchell was dominant in his second year, offenses could avoid him and just target the other outside cornerback. Finding a solid perimeter defender will put this defense over the top to being a truly elite unit.
Malik Muhammad was always solid at Texas, with a big frame and good movement ability. He was never a dominant force, but has the tools to develop into a contributor. As far as day two picks go, he’d be a pretty good one.
Pick 4.122: Jalon Kilgore, Cornerback, South Carolina
At 6’1”, 210 pounds, Jalon Kilgore looks more like a linebacker than a cornerback. And he plays like one. He is athletic, physical, and fearless when it comes to attacking the line of scrimmage. The Gamecocks deployed him as a big nickel in the slot more often than not, where he was opportunistic attacking the ball and served as a great run defender.
Kilgore is a bit of a project player who might do his best work in the NFL as a safety where he could range around closer to the line of scrimmage. With the Reed Blankenship question still up in the air, Kilgore could be a great addition to the defensive back depth chart.
Pick 4.136: Pat Coogan, Center, Indiana
Pat Coogan strikes me as the type of player that every fan base wants in round four of this draft. He is a solid, physical, experienced center who basically does everything very well. The Eagles can continue to strengthen their offensive line while pushing the youth movement. Some teams might see Coogan as an early-career starter.
Pick 5.151: Tanner Koziol, Tight End, Houston
It’s possible the Eagles draft a tight end much earlier than this if Dallas Goedert heads out elsewhere. However, if they want to play the value game, Tanner Koziol is an intriguing day three option. At 6’7”, 250 pounds, the dude is huge. And that shows up in the fact that he lead all college tight ends with 20 contested catches. According to Pro Football Focus, he converted over 74% of his contested targets into receptions. That is absurd. Koziol is not much of a run blocker at this point, but he has the tools to contribute there. In the meantime, the Eagles can develop his athleticism into being a real threat in the passing game.
Pick 5.179: Roman Hemby, Running Back, Indiana
Roman Hemby was extremely reliable in the Indiana running game this year. While he was not exactly a game-breaking back, he also moved the ball consistently. In the late rounds, the Eagles would do well to add some more options to their backfield with Tank Bigsby set to hit free agency.
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