Let’s get to the Philadelphia Eagles news and links …
6 NFL Draft team fits that are so good, rookies can become instant stars – SB Nation
Makai Lemon, WR, USC, Philadelphia Eagles — 1st round, 20th overall — When the dust settles, I think the Dallas Cowboys are going to seriously regret getting two fourth-round picks in exchange for giving the Eagles their future top weapon in Makai Lemon. Obviously, the writing is on the wall for A.J. Brown’s time in Philly, but this is an extremely rare case where I look at this team and think they’re going to be absolutely fine — potentially even scarier when Lemon gets up to NFL speed. That’s not a knock on Brown, but more a realization that a change in receiver skillsets can be additive to the Eagles’ passing offense. It goes without saying that DeVonta Smith and A.J. Brown have been great, but it’s been more duplicative than anything. Both have similar skill sets, with crisp route running and amazing hands, but neither is really a YAC beast. Smith and Brown averaged around 3.0 yards after the catch last season, which is fine when you’re consistent — but Lemon is an absolute YAC MONSTER. He is going to be able to line up in the slot, split out wide, or operate out of trips and give this team another level to its passing offense. What we’re going to see is another layer of the Eagles’ passing game get opened up because of Lemon, and I think he’s landing in the perfect spot to really make noise.
Makai Lemon’s ex-coaches praise new Eagle’s approach, drive: ‘You drafted the guy that’s going to match the city’s intensity’ – Inquirer
His production and athleticism got him this far, but according to Fenton, his grit will be what separates him. “You have a perception of us out here in California, pretty laid-back, and we have a perception of you guys in Philadelphia, man, you don’t play,” Fenton said. “It’s either on [or] off, just like how ’Kai is, right? And I think you guys even booed Santa Claus one time. So you guys are pretty intense over there. “You drafted the guy that’s going to match the city’s intensity when it comes to pro football.”
Eagles 2026 draft class analysis – BGN
Outlook: The Eagles are all but certain to ship A.J. Brown out this summer, leaving a massive gap in their passing game. This pick was made with that consideration. DeVonta Smith will take over as the team’s top receiver, stretching the field on the perimeter. With Dontayvion Wicks and Hollywood Brown in the fold, those two will rotate out as the other perimeter receiver. This will leave room for Makai Lemon to start as a slot receiver. Lemon should eat early on in the short passing game. While the Eagles offense still figures to be run heavy, expect Lemon to see 60-80 targets as a rookie and make the most of them.
About Stout – Iggles Blitz
Stout didn’t just connect with Kelce. He was able to forge special bonds with many players over the years. He coached his players hard. Some could handle that, some couldn’t. If you can’t handle tough coaching, how the hell are you going to handle Myles Garrett or Aaron Donald? He wanted the best for his guys, on and off the field. He wanted to help them grow as men, not just players. Jeff Stoutland was special. He was one of a kind, a unicorn. The Eagles were lucky to have his services for more than a decade. He helped them to win a pair of Super Bowls and go on a special run that had 3 SB appearances in a decade. There were only two appearances in the team’s history before his arrival.
Eagles winners and losers from the 2026 NFL Draft – NBCSP
TE Grant Calcaterra. The Eagles used their second round pick on Eli Stowers, who is known for his pass-catching ability at the position. That could make Grant Calcaterra expendable. We know what Dallas Goedert and Stowers are going to be roster locks. And Johnny Mundt offers the veteran blocking ability at the tight end position that seems to be important in this offense. So it’s possible that Calcaterra and Stowers are too redundant and the Eagles are obviously going to go with their second-round pick. Calcaterra is back on a one-year deal and could still be on the roster but his odds definitely took a hit with this draft.
Fran Duffy reviews Eagles’ UDFA class: Keep an eye on TE Dae’Quan Wright – PHLY
DAE’QUAN WRIGHT – TE – OLE MISS. “MAKE IT” TRAIT: COMBO SKILLSET. It was hard to watch Ole Miss and NOT get a feel for Wright, a bulky tight end who was able to attack all three levels of the field as an explosive playmaker at the position. He didn’t put many throws on the ground this year (including several targets that brought him to the ground) and his ability with the ball in his hands is really good. He’s got juice after the catch and defenders bounce off him once he gets rolling down the sideline. He has a different gear in that area. He was listed 255 pounds during the season and that size does show up on contact in the run game. He’s not bashful about sticking his facemask on a linebacker. They kept him in-line and had him blocking defensive ends. The technique can definitely improve, but the body type and willingness are both evident and there are good flashes on tape. All of that is especially notable when considering he played almost the entire season with a shoulder injury that resulted in him having a procedure after the year that prevented him from testing before the draft. Literally any other year, this guy gets drafted in the middle or later rounds, but this season he slips through the cracks. I think he’s got a real shot if he has a good summer.
Offseason checklist for all 32 NFL teams: What did the draft cross off and what’s left to do? – NFL.com
Still to do: 1) Trade A.J. Brown … 2) Add safety depth … 3) Extend Jalen Carter. The Eagles’ moves over the past several months have indicated the club would trade Brown. The draft day trade for Makai Lemon cemented that Philly is simply waiting until after June 1 to make the deal. Lemon, Marquise Brown and Dontayvion Wicks aren’t one-for-one replacements for Brown, but the collective improves the overall corps behind DeVonta Smith. Now the question is, how will they all fit in new OC Sean Mannion’s scheme? The trade for Jonathan Greenard filled a big need on defense, but the safety depth remains a question after waiting until the seventh round to take Cole Wisniewski. It’s not a front-burner problem, but adding a veteran at some point makes sense. After handing Jordan Davis an extension, next in line on defense is Carter. With the Eagles picking up Carter’s fifth-year option for 2027, they could wait until next offseason, but as we’ve seen, the price usually goes up. An extension this summer would cement the middle of the Eagles defense for years to come.
The son of an Eagles legend is getting his shot in Philadelphia – NJ.com
The son of a Philadelphia Eagles legend is following in his father’s footsteps. Northwestern kicker/punter Luke Akers, the son of legendary Eagles specialist David Akers, has accepted a rookie minicamp invite with Philadelphia.
Buffalo Bills sign FB/LB Ben VanSumeren to one-year contract – Buffalo Rumblings
The Buffalo Bills have added another weapon to their 2026 roster, signing linebacker-turned-fullback Ben VanSumeren to a one-year contract on Wednesday, April 4. VanSumeren brings an interesting element to Buffalo’s roster, having played both defense and offense at the professional level for the Philadelphia Eagles.
Falcons hire ex-Eagles executive Bryce Johnston to replace Chris Olsen – The Falcoholic
If you wanted a clue as to which front office the Falcons intended to emulate, you’ve gotten a bundle of clues instead. The Falcons hired former Eagle and Bear executive Ian Cunningham as their general manager, Eagles vice president of football operations Jeff Scott as their assistant general manager, and now former Eagles Senior Vice President/Tertiary Football Executive (that’s a mouthful) Bryce Johnston with the lengthy title of Vice President of Football Administration/Senior Personnel Executive. In effect, Johnston appears to be taking on the contract negotiation and cap management role vacated by Chris Olsen, who recently departed the organization. In his prior role with the Eagles, Johnston was heavily involved in contract and cap matters, as well, and will be an instrumental executive for the Falcons this year and next as they navigate incoming contract decisions for Bijan Robinson, Drake London, Kyle Pitts, and what promises to be an active free agency period in 2027.
Cowboys roster needs following the 2026 NFL Draft – Blogging The Boys
Inside Linebacker – Even with Winters and Barham, there are still plenty of concerns. Winters’ 27 starts over the last two years have mostly come as Fred Warner’s wingman, so how will he perform if asked to be the primary? After spending most of the draft cycle advertising himself as an edge rusher, Barham now has to focus on playing inside. That may be a lot for a rookie to process in his first year. Throw in DeMarvion Overshown’s evergreen health issues and there’s still plenty of reason to worry about who will patrol the middle of the field.
Washington Commanders way too early 2026 53-man roster prediction – Hogs Haven
Adam Peters put a huge focus on the defensive side of the ball in free agency, bringing in pieces to essentially turn over half of the projected starting lineup. With the seventh overall pick, Washington took blue chip linebacker Sonny Styles and went back to the defensive side of the ball in round five to select Tennessee EDGE Joshua Josephs. One thing that may stand out to you is all the orange in the secondary. I know this may look a bit depressing at first glance, but I do think some of these players can make the color-jump to Red with a good season – especially in a scheme that plays to their strengths and allows them to shine. On a really positive note – this defensive transformation is profound and hopefully the results will be too.
NY Giants news: New York begins adding veteran defensive tackles – Big Blue View
Veteran defensive tackle Shelby Harris is signing with the New York Giants. The news was first reported on Wednesday by veteran NFL insider Aaron Wilson, and was subsequently confirmed by the Giants. Coming out of the 2026 NFL Draft having only added sixth-round pick Bobby Jamison-Travis to their defensive tackle room, the Giants were widely expected to add one or more veteran defensive tackles in free agency. Harris, 35, will be entering his 12th NFL season after being a seventh-round pick by the Oakland Raiders in the 2014 NFL Draft. Harris has played for Oakland, the Denver Broncos, Seattle Seahawks, and spent the last three seasons with the Cleveland Browns.
Justin Simmons announces retirement as a Bronco – Mile High Report
Former Denver Broncos All-Pro safety Justin Simmons has announced his retirement. More than that, he retired as a Denver Bronco.
NFL distributes crew assignments to referees, sources say – ESPN
The NFL distributed crew assignments to referees this week amid indications of continued progress toward a deal on a new collective bargaining agreement with the NFL Referees Association, sources told ESPN. The assignments did not include any of the replacement officials the league has onboarded and vetted in preparation for a potential lockout. The league’s officiating department has planned to start training those replacement officials beginning Friday. The existing CBA between the sides is due to expire May 31.
Takeaways: Flyers clinch series in dramatic Game 6 behind Dan Vladar, Cam York – Broad Street Hockey
The Pittsburgh Penguins wanted to be the 11th team in NHL history to force a deciding Game 7 after going down 3-0 in a series but the Philadelphia Flyers stopped them in their tracks and ended up with the series win Wednesday night. Through 60 minutes, the goaltenders were perfect. It was the first time since 2002 that the Flyers went to overtime in a scoreless game — a 1-0 win against Ottawa. Through the nerves, the sweat, and the anxiety, history repeated, and the Flyers are on to the second round. [BLG Note: Let’s go Flyers!!!]
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