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For the Eagles, free agency has always served a purpose for addressing immediate needs so they can use the NFL draft to take the proverbial best player available.
But that's not necessarily going to be the case this year, at least from what we've seen in the first week of free agency as the Eagles lost three of their four top free agents in defensive linemen Milton Williams and Josh Sweat and right guard Mekhi Becton, and traded away safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson.
In fact, the Eagles could be in the process of adding another need that will have to be addressed in the draft. That is potentially replacing Dallas Goedert, whose chances of returning to the Eagles appear less and less likely.
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The Eagles signed two veteran tight ends to one-year deals late last week in Harrison Bryant and Kylen Granson. No, they are not as good as Goedert. But they provide depth with returning tight end Grant Calcaterra. The three can help groom an early-round draft pick.
Why would the Eagles want to move on from Goedert in the first place?
For one, Goedert, 30, is in the last year of his contract, and his salary cap hit is $11.8 million this season and $23.8 million next season. Sure, the Eagles can restructure Goedert's contract to lessen the cap hits, but that would be guaranteeing him money beyond this season.
Secondly, this is considered a good draft for tight ends. Third, while Goedert is an elite tight end, he missed seven games last season with injuries. It's the third straight season Goedert missed at least three games, and fourth time in five seasons.
And fourth, the Eagles showed last season they can win without Goedert, going 6-1. Sure, Goedert makes the Eagles better, but is it worth the price when it's not a necessity?
The Eagles, of course, have needs at other positions, too. They're hoping Sydney Brown can replace Gardner-Johnson at safety. They released cornerback Darius Slay, but have only signed veteran Adoree Jackson, who lost his starting job with the Giants last season.
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And of course, the Eagles have only signed Josh Uche to replace Sweat and potentially Brandon Graham if he retired. Uche was a former second-round pick who was a healthy scratch for the Chiefs last season in all three playoff games, including the Super Bowl loss to the Eagles.
But the Eagles are well armed to address their needs in the draft. They have eight picks in the 2025 draft and 12 in the 2026 draft now that they are projected to be granted compensatory picks in Rounds 3, 4, 5 and 6 for losing Williams, Sweat, Becton and cornerback Isaiah Rodgers, respectively, in free agency.
Here, then is an Eagles mock draft after the first wave of NFL free agency:
It wouldn't be surprising if the Eagles traded back. But if they're staying, Harmon would seem to be the Williams replacement. At 6-foot-4, 313 pounds, Harmon can also eventually become Jordan Davis' replacement if the Eagles decide not to pick up Davis' fifth-year option, thus making him eligible for free agency after this season. Harmon can spend his rookie year working in with Jalen Carter, Davis and Moro Ojomo. Harmon, who spent his final season at Oregon after three at Michigan State, had 5 sacks and 10 TFLs, while breaking up 4 passes. It's easy to picture Harmon next to Jalen Carter full time in 2026.
It just so happens that the Eagles hired Scot Loeffler, Bowling Green's head coach, to serve as the quarterbacks coach. Loeffler saw Fannin every day as Fannin led all FBS receivers in both receptions (117) and yards (1,555). If Goedert doesn't return, Fannin can be worked in gradually with Calcaterra, Bryant and Granson, and then take over as TE1 in 2026.
At 6-5, 280 pounds, Jones has the size to be a force in traditional 4-3 sets. The Eagles do have Nolan Smith and Jalyx Hunt returning, in addition to Bryce Huff, who is coming off a disappointing 2024 season, as is Uche. Jones, of course, can work into a rotation this season, especially if Uche and Huff struggle, then have a bigger role in 2026.
The Eagles will use this pick, coming from Detroit, to add depth at safety after the Gardner-Johnson trade. Mickens, the son of former Jets defensive back Ray Mickens, has good size at 6-0, 199 pounds, and he ran a 4.49 at the combine. With Sydney Brown as the expected starter next to Reed Blankenship, Mickens can compete with Lewis Cine and Tristin McCollum for playing time.
The Eagles will use this pick, coming from Houston, to add at wide receiver in Dike, who ran a 4.34 at the combine. Dike can eventually serve as a slot receiver if Jahan Dotson leaves after this season, and it certainly won't hurt learning from A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith.
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Porter has the size at 6-3, 195 pounds and the speed at 4.3 in the 40 that the Eagles would like. Plus, Porter was coached by Nick Sirianni's college teammate Matt Campbell, which makes this a good spot for Porter in a pick coming from Cleveland via Detroit. The downside is that Porter only became a starter in his sixth and final collegiate season. But he can help with depth and on special teams.
It wouldn't be an Eagles draft without taking at least one offensive lineman. This pick, coming from Washington, is no exception. Pierce, at 6-8, 341 pounds is huge, but also raw. Sounds like a perfect student for Jeff Stoutland University.
Kiser, as a sixth-year player, has special teams acumen, but might not have the size and speed to be a full-time starter at linebacker. The Eagles aren't necessarily looking for that with Zack Baun back and Nakobe Dean working his way back from a knee injury. The Eagles also have Jeremiah Trotter Jr.
Contact Martin Frank at [email protected]. Follow on X @Mfranknfl. Read his coverage of the Eagles’ championship season in “Flying High,” a new hardcover coffee-table book from Delaware Online/The News Journal. Details at Fly.ChampsBook.com.
This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Eagles mock draft: Projecting every pick amid NFL free agent signings
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But that's not necessarily going to be the case this year, at least from what we've seen in the first week of free agency as the Eagles lost three of their four top free agents in defensive linemen Milton Williams and Josh Sweat and right guard Mekhi Becton, and traded away safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson.
In fact, the Eagles could be in the process of adding another need that will have to be addressed in the draft. That is potentially replacing Dallas Goedert, whose chances of returning to the Eagles appear less and less likely.
Celebrate the Eagles' Super Bowl victory with our new book
The Eagles signed two veteran tight ends to one-year deals late last week in Harrison Bryant and Kylen Granson. No, they are not as good as Goedert. But they provide depth with returning tight end Grant Calcaterra. The three can help groom an early-round draft pick.
Why would the Eagles want to move on from Goedert in the first place?
For one, Goedert, 30, is in the last year of his contract, and his salary cap hit is $11.8 million this season and $23.8 million next season. Sure, the Eagles can restructure Goedert's contract to lessen the cap hits, but that would be guaranteeing him money beyond this season.
Secondly, this is considered a good draft for tight ends. Third, while Goedert is an elite tight end, he missed seven games last season with injuries. It's the third straight season Goedert missed at least three games, and fourth time in five seasons.
And fourth, the Eagles showed last season they can win without Goedert, going 6-1. Sure, Goedert makes the Eagles better, but is it worth the price when it's not a necessity?
The Eagles, of course, have needs at other positions, too. They're hoping Sydney Brown can replace Gardner-Johnson at safety. They released cornerback Darius Slay, but have only signed veteran Adoree Jackson, who lost his starting job with the Giants last season.
RISKY BUSINESS: Eagles' biggest risk: These 2 new players must become the next Zack Baun, Mekhi Becton
FREE AGENT LOSSES: Eagles suffer big losses as NFL free agency begins, with more to come. How they can respond
And of course, the Eagles have only signed Josh Uche to replace Sweat and potentially Brandon Graham if he retired. Uche was a former second-round pick who was a healthy scratch for the Chiefs last season in all three playoff games, including the Super Bowl loss to the Eagles.
But the Eagles are well armed to address their needs in the draft. They have eight picks in the 2025 draft and 12 in the 2026 draft now that they are projected to be granted compensatory picks in Rounds 3, 4, 5 and 6 for losing Williams, Sweat, Becton and cornerback Isaiah Rodgers, respectively, in free agency.
Here, then is an Eagles mock draft after the first wave of NFL free agency:
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Round 1, pick 32: Derrick Harmon, DT, Oregon
It wouldn't be surprising if the Eagles traded back. But if they're staying, Harmon would seem to be the Williams replacement. At 6-foot-4, 313 pounds, Harmon can also eventually become Jordan Davis' replacement if the Eagles decide not to pick up Davis' fifth-year option, thus making him eligible for free agency after this season. Harmon can spend his rookie year working in with Jalen Carter, Davis and Moro Ojomo. Harmon, who spent his final season at Oregon after three at Michigan State, had 5 sacks and 10 TFLs, while breaking up 4 passes. It's easy to picture Harmon next to Jalen Carter full time in 2026.
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Round 2, pick 64: Harold Fannin, TE, Bowling Green
It just so happens that the Eagles hired Scot Loeffler, Bowling Green's head coach, to serve as the quarterbacks coach. Loeffler saw Fannin every day as Fannin led all FBS receivers in both receptions (117) and yards (1,555). If Goedert doesn't return, Fannin can be worked in gradually with Calcaterra, Bryant and Granson, and then take over as TE1 in 2026.
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Round 3, pick 96: Sai'vion Jones, DE, LSU
At 6-5, 280 pounds, Jones has the size to be a force in traditional 4-3 sets. The Eagles do have Nolan Smith and Jalyx Hunt returning, in addition to Bryce Huff, who is coming off a disappointing 2024 season, as is Uche. Jones, of course, can work into a rotation this season, especially if Uche and Huff struggle, then have a bigger role in 2026.
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Round 4, pick 134: R.J. Mickens, S, Clemson
The Eagles will use this pick, coming from Detroit, to add depth at safety after the Gardner-Johnson trade. Mickens, the son of former Jets defensive back Ray Mickens, has good size at 6-0, 199 pounds, and he ran a 4.49 at the combine. With Sydney Brown as the expected starter next to Reed Blankenship, Mickens can compete with Lewis Cine and Tristin McCollum for playing time.
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Round 5, pick 161: Chimere Dike, WR, Florida
The Eagles will use this pick, coming from Houston, to add at wide receiver in Dike, who ran a 4.34 at the combine. Dike can eventually serve as a slot receiver if Jahan Dotson leaves after this season, and it certainly won't hurt learning from A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith.
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Round 5, pick 164: Darien Porter, CB, Iowa State
Porter has the size at 6-3, 195 pounds and the speed at 4.3 in the 40 that the Eagles would like. Plus, Porter was coached by Nick Sirianni's college teammate Matt Campbell, which makes this a good spot for Porter in a pick coming from Cleveland via Detroit. The downside is that Porter only became a starter in his sixth and final collegiate season. But he can help with depth and on special teams.
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Round 5, pick 165: Hollin Pierce, T, Rutgers
It wouldn't be an Eagles draft without taking at least one offensive lineman. This pick, coming from Washington, is no exception. Pierce, at 6-8, 341 pounds is huge, but also raw. Sounds like a perfect student for Jeff Stoutland University.
Round 5, pick 168: Jack Kiser, LB, Notre Dame
Kiser, as a sixth-year player, has special teams acumen, but might not have the size and speed to be a full-time starter at linebacker. The Eagles aren't necessarily looking for that with Zack Baun back and Nakobe Dean working his way back from a knee injury. The Eagles also have Jeremiah Trotter Jr.
Contact Martin Frank at [email protected]. Follow on X @Mfranknfl. Read his coverage of the Eagles’ championship season in “Flying High,” a new hardcover coffee-table book from Delaware Online/The News Journal. Details at Fly.ChampsBook.com.
This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Eagles mock draft: Projecting every pick amid NFL free agent signings
Continue reading...
