As the Philadelphia Eagles gear up for what promises to be a pivotal offseason, the front office has some clear-cut priorities to address before the 2026 NFL Draft rolls around. This phase of roster building-free agency-is where the Eagles typically plug immediate holes, regardless of positional value. And this year, there are some glaring ones.
Let’s break down the Eagles’ most pressing needs heading into free agency, with a focus on who’s under contract, who’s not, and what kind of reinforcements the team will be hunting for in March.
1. Tight End: Thin Isn’t the Word
The tight end room is about as bare as it gets. With Dallas Goedert, Grant Calcaterra, and Kylen Granson all set to hit free agency, the only tight end currently under contract for 2026 is Cameron Latu-a TE4 by most standards.
That’s not a depth chart; that’s a red flag.
Given how important the tight end position has been to the Eagles' offensive identity-both in the passing game and as blockers in the run game-this isn’t something the team can afford to ignore. Whether that means re-signing Goedert or bringing in a veteran from the outside, the Eagles will need at least one proven contributor in the building before the draft.
Yes, the 2026 draft class is shaping up to be strong at tight end, and yes, the Eagles are likely to dip into that pool after surprisingly skipping the position in 2025. But they can’t go into April banking solely on rookies. Expect at least one veteran signing here, and potentially more.
2. EDGE: Keep the Pressure Coming
The Eagles have just two edge rushers under contract for 2026: Nolan Smith and Jalyx Hunt. The good news?
Both are coming off breakout seasons-Smith in 2024, Hunt in 2025-and look like long-term pieces. The bad news?
That’s it. Everyone else is a pending free agent.
The biggest domino here is Jaelan Phillips, who became Vic Fangio’s top edge rusher after arriving at the trade deadline. He led the team’s edge defenders in snaps per game and made an immediate impact.
More importantly, he wants to be in Philadelphia-calling the trade the best day of his life. That’s not just lip service; that’s the kind of buy-in you want from a cornerstone player.
Phillips also brings something the Eagles need: size. When Za'Darius Smith retired midseason, the Eagles wasted no time trading for another big-bodied edge in Phillips.
Letting him walk would mean going back to square one in finding a power rusher to complement the speed and bend of Smith and Hunt. So why not just keep the guy who already fits the bill?
Bringing back Brandon Graham for one more year could also be in play, assuming both sides are on the same page financially. But even if Phillips and Graham return, the Eagles can’t head into the draft with just three edges on the roster. Free agency will need to provide at least one more rotational piece, if not two.
3. Cornerback: Still a Puzzle
The Eagles entered 2025 hoping Kelee Ringo would take the leap and seize the CB2 job. If not, Adoree' Jackson was supposed to be the steady fallback.
But neither player separated themselves in camp or preseason, and rookie Mac McWilliams didn’t flash enough to earn trust. That led to a trade for Jakorian Bennett, creating a four-way battle for CB2 that Jackson ultimately won.
By season’s end, cornerback was no longer the team’s biggest problem-but it’s still far from solved.
Here’s where things stand:
- Ringo might stick as a backup and special teamer, but he’s not the answer as a starter.
- Bennett didn’t pan out, though he’ll likely get another shot in camp.
- McWilliams was inactive most weeks and never earned Fangio’s trust.
- Jackson is a free agent.
- Michael Carter, acquired in-season, is a likely cap casualty due to his $9.7 million salary in 2026.
Bottom line: the Eagles need a new CB2, and they’re not likely to find him in the draft-especially if, as expected, the team leans offense-heavy in April. They could stumble into a top-tier corner if one unexpectedly falls, but that’s not something you can plan around.
That makes free agency the logical place to look. Whether it’s a short-term veteran or a budget-friendly starter, expect the Eagles to shop in that mid-tier range-similar to past moves for Steven Nelson or James Bradberry.
And with Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean already locking down two starting spots, they don’t need a star. They just need someone solid.
Also on the Radar: Wide Receiver and Safety
The wide receiver situation is one to monitor closely. If *A.J.
Brown* is traded, the need skyrockets. Even if he stays, the Eagles will be looking to bolster the position through both free agency and the draft.
They need more depth and more explosiveness-plain and simple.
At safety, Reed Blankenship is the name to watch. He’s arguably the Eagles’ third-most important defensive free agent behind Phillips and Nakobe Dean.
But with a likely pay bump coming, he could be priced out of Philly. Add in the fact that Sydney Brown hasn’t quite lived up to expectations, and the Eagles could be in the market for at least one starting-caliber safety.
The good news? There have been quality veterans available at reasonable prices in recent offseasons. The Eagles may look to go that route again.
Final Thoughts
This is a crucial offseason for the Eagles, not just in terms of plugging holes, but in setting the tone for what the next era of this team looks like. With key veterans hitting free agency and a roster that’s a mix of young promise and aging stars, how the front office navigates the next two months will shape the 2026 season-and beyond.
The draft will be about the future. Free agency?
That’s about right now. And right now, the Eagles have work to do.