Eagles' 2026 Free Agents, Targets and Draft Needs After NFL Playoff Loss

The Philadelphia Eagles took a bit of a step back during the 2025 NFL season. While they did repeat as NFC East champions, the Eagles won three fewer games than they did in 2024 and entered the postseason as the No. 3 seed instead of the No. 2 seed.

Philadelphia's roster rarely felt as formidable during the regular season as it did during last year's championship run, either. The departure of former offensive coordinator Kellen Moore was felt early in the season, as was the departure of several defensive veterans in free agency.

Now that the Eagles' latest playoff run has ended, general manager Howie Roseman and head coach Nick Sirianni must assess the roster and determine where improvements can be made that will return Philadelphia to championship form in 2026.

Expect the coming weeks to involve some bookkeeping, as the Eagles prepare for an important offseason. Free agency will officially open on March 11, and the 2026 draft will follow on April 23. Philadelphia will need to successfully navigate both events to put itself in position to stay near the top of the NFC hierarchy.

Free Agents

AP Photo/Terrance Williams

Eagles edge Jaelan Phillips

Unrestricted Free Agents

S Reed Blankenship

TE Grant Calcaterra

LB Nakobe Dean

RB AJ Dillon

WR Jahan Dotson

TE Dallas Goedert

Edge Brandon Graham

TE Kylen Granson

QB Sam Howell

OT Fred Johnson

P Braden Mann

Edge Azeez Ojulari

Edge Ogbonnia Okoronkwo

Edge Jaelan Phillips

G Matt Pryor

G Brett Toth

Edge Josh Uche

Restricted/Exclusive-Rights Free Agents

FB Ben VanSumeran

A year ago, Roseman allowed several important defensive pieces to depart in free agency, including defensive lineman Milton Williams and edge-rusher Josh Sweat, though he did re-sign standout linebacker Zack Baun.

Roseman will once again have to pick and choose which members of the defense he wants to bring back. Several important contributors, including safety Reed Blankenship, linebacker Nakobe Dean, and multiple edge-rushers, are slated to hit the market.

The Eagles are projected to have $22.1 million in cap space with which to work. That puts them in the back half of the league in terms of cap space, which will make it difficult to re-sign multiple starters and make any noise in free agency.

However, Roseman can create some cap space by releasing cornerback Michael Carter II, who was acquired in a deadline trade. His cap hit is set to jump from $1.2 million to $10.3 million, and Philly can save $8.9 million by releasing him.

Expect Jaelan Phillips, also acquired at the deadline, to be Roseman's top defensive priority. Landing the pass-rusher cost the Eagles a third-round pick, and they simply don't have enough edge depth to afford letting Phillips out of the building. He's likely to receive an extension ahead of free agency.

Offensively, the Eagles aren't at risk of losing much, aside from some line depth and their top three tight ends. Roseman may look to bring one tight end back, though it may not be longtime starter Dallas Goedert. He turned 31 in early January and could command more in free agency than Philadelphia is willing to pay.

Potential Free-Agent/Trade Targets

AP Photo/Nell Redmond

CB Jamel Dean

While Roseman has done an excellent job of building much of Philadelphia's core through the draft, he's never shied away from adding talent through the free-agent and trade markets, too.

It won't be a surprise if the Eagles take at least one big swing this offseason, as they did when adding Saquon Barkley in 2024 or when they traded for A.J. Brown in 2022.

Given Philadelphia's need for edge help, a standout like Trey Hendrickson could be on Roseman's radar, even if Phillips is re-signed. Maxx Crosby would draw interest as a trade target as well, if the Las Vegas Raiders were inclined to make him available—which is admittedly unlikely.

Young, talented players like Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Trent McDuffie and Chicago Bears tight end Cole Kmet are also likely to interest Philadelphia if they become available on the trade market. Unless a legitimate star like Crosby can be had, Roseman will likely focus on trade targets who are just entering their primes, as Brown was when he was acquired.

However, Roseman will probably be less discriminatory when it comes to free agency. The Eagles will need to fill spots on the edge, at tight end, and in the secondary while reloading their line depth.

Expect a variety of free agents—from older vets like Khalil Mack and Jamel Dean to younger stars like Kyle Pitts and Kamren Curl—to interest the Eagles in March.

Philadelphia could also be a surprise player on the receiver market, seeing as how its ongoing search for a reliable No. 3 receiver continues. The Eagles probably won't go big-name hunting, but they could target complementary receivers like Romeo Doubs and Van Jefferson.

Draft Targets

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Clemson edge prospect T.J. Parker

The Eagles head into the offseason with nine total draft selections, including two picks each in the third and fourth rounds.

Philadelphia has made five first-round selections over the past four years, and four of those picks were used on front-seven defenders. It should surprise no one if the Eagles again target a defensive lineman or edge-rusher in April. The Bleacher Report Scouting Department paired Philadelphia with Oregon edge-rusher Matayo Uiagalelei in its post-regular season Mock Draft, though Uiagalelei ultimately opted to return to college.

Expect prospects like Clemson edge-defender T.J. Parker, Alabama defensive lineman LT Overton, Oregon safety S Dillon Thieneman, and Texas cornerback CB Malik Muhammad to also interest Philadelphia late in Round 1.

Also expect Roseman to consider packaging some of his middle-round picks to secure a second Round 2 selection. Several intriguing prospects are likely to go early on Day 2 who could be immediate contributors in Philadelphia, including Texas tight end Jack Endries, Indiana cornerback D'Angelo Ponds, Missouri edge-rusher Edge Zion Young, and Indiana safety S Louis Moore.

Ideally, Philadelphia will exit Round 3 with an edge-rusher, a tight end, and a defensive back—if those positions aren't heavily addressed before the draft.

The Eagles' foray into Day 3 should include targeting depth along the offensive line, in the secondary, and at linebacker. Expect Philly to consider developmental prospects like Auburn lineman Connor Lew, Oregon tackle Isaiah World, Texas Tech linebacker Jacob Rodriguez, and Indiana lineman Pat Coogan later in the draft.

*Cap, contract and free-agent status information via Spotrac. Draft information via Tankathon