6 NFL Draft staff matches which might be so good, rookies can turn into immediate stars – SB NationMakai Lemon, WR, USC, Philadelphia Eagles — 1st spherical, twentieth total — When the mud settles, I believe the Dallas Cowboys are going to noticeably remorse getting two fourth-round picks in trade for giving the Eagles their future prime weapon in Makai Lemon. Clearly, the writing is on the wall for A.J. Brown’s time in Philly, however that is a particularly uncommon case the place I have a look at this staff and assume they’re going to be completely tremendous — probably even scarier when Lemon will get as much as NFL velocity. That’s not a knock on Brown, however extra a realization {that a} change in receiver skillsets may be additive to the Eagles’ passing offense. It goes with out saying that DeVonta Smith and A.J. Brown have been nice, but it surely’s been extra duplicative than something. Each have comparable ability units, with crisp route operating and superb fingers, however neither can be a YAC beast. Smith and Brown averaged round 3.0 yards after the catch final season, which is okay while you’re constant — however Lemon is an absolute YAC MONSTER. He’s going to have the ability to line up within the slot, cut up out large, or function out of journeys and provides this staff one other stage to its passing offense. What we’re going to see is one other layer of the Eagles’ passing sport get opened up due to Lemon, and I believe he’s touchdown within the excellent spot to essentially make noise.
Makai Lemon’s ex-coaches reward new Eagle’s method, drive: ‘You drafted the guy that’s going to match the town’s depth’ – InquirerHis manufacturing and athleticism bought him this far, however in keeping with Fenton, his grit shall 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 mentioned. “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 evaluation – BGNOutlook: The Eagles are all however sure to ship A.J. Brown out this summer time, leaving a large hole of their passing sport. This choose was made with that consideration. DeVonta Smith will take over because the staff’s prime receiver, stretching the sector on the perimeter. With Dontayvion Wicks and Hollywood Brown within the fold, these two will rotate out as the opposite perimeter receiver. It will go away room for Makai Lemon to start out as a slot receiver. Lemon ought to eat early on within the quick passing sport. Whereas the Eagles offense nonetheless figures to be run heavy, anticipate Lemon to see 60-80 targets as a rookie and benefit from them.
About Stout – Iggles BlitzStout didn’t simply join with Kelce. He was capable of forge particular bonds with many gamers through the years. He coached his gamers exhausting. Some might deal with that, some couldn’t. Should you can’t deal with robust teaching, how the hell are you going to deal with Myles Garrett or Aaron Donald? He needed the perfect for his guys, on and off the sector. He needed to assist them develop as males, not simply gamers. Jeff Stoutland was particular. He was one in all a form, a unicorn. The Eagles have been fortunate to have his companies for greater than a decade. He helped them to win a pair of Tremendous Bowls and go on a particular run that had 3 SB appearances in a decade. There have been solely two appearances within the staff’s historical past earlier than his arrival.
Eagles winners and losers from the 2026 NFL Draft – NBCSPTE Grant Calcaterra. The Eagles used their second spherical choose on Eli Stowers, who is thought for his pass-catching capability on the place. That would make Grant Calcaterra expendable. We all know what Dallas Goedert and Stowers are going to be roster locks. And Johnny Mundt presents the veteran blocking capability on the tight finish place that appears to be vital on this offense. So it’s attainable that Calcaterra and Stowers are too redundant and the Eagles are clearly going to go together with their second-round choose. Calcaterra is again on a one-year deal and will nonetheless be on the roster however his odds undoubtedly took a success with this draft.
Fran Duffy critiques Eagles’ UDFA class: Control TE Dae’Quan Wright – PHLYDAE’QUAN WRIGHT – TE – OLE MISS. “MAKE IT” TRAIT: COMBO SKILLSET. It was exhausting to look at Ole Miss and NOT get a really feel for Wright, a cumbersome tight finish who was capable of assault all three ranges of the sector as an explosive playmaker on the place. He didn’t put many throws on the bottom this yr (together with a number of targets that introduced him to the bottom) and his capability with the ball in his fingers is admittedly good. He’s bought juice after the catch and defenders bounce off him as soon as he will get rolling down the sideline. He has a special gear in that space. He was listed 255 kilos in the course of the season and that measurement does present up on contact within the run sport. He’s not bashful about sticking his facemask on a linebacker. They saved him in-line and had him blocking defensive ends. The method can undoubtedly enhance, however the physique sort and willingness are each evident and there are good flashes on tape. All of that’s particularly notable when contemplating he performed virtually all the season with a shoulder damage that resulted in him having a process after the yr that prevented him from testing earlier than the draft. Actually another yr, this man will get drafted within the center or later rounds, however this season he slips via the cracks. I believe he’s bought an actual shot if he has an excellent summer time.
Offseason guidelines for all 32 NFL groups: What did the draft cross off and what’s left to do? – NFL.comStill to do: 1) Commerce A.J. Brown … 2) Add security depth … 3) Lengthen Jalen Carter. The Eagles’ strikes over the previous a number of months have indicated the membership would commerce Brown. The draft day commerce for Makai Lemon cemented that Philly is solely ready till after June 1 to make the deal. Lemon, Marquise Brown and Dontayvion Wicks aren’t one-for-one replacements for Brown, however the collective improves the general corps behind DeVonta Smith. Now the query is, how will all of them slot in new OC Sean Mannion’s scheme? The commerce for Jonathan Greenard crammed an enormous want on protection, however the security depth stays a query after ready till the seventh spherical to take Cole Wisniewski. It’s not a front-burner downside, however including a veteran sooner or later is sensible. After handing Jordan Davis an extension, subsequent in line on protection is Carter. With the Eagles selecting up Carter’s fifth-year choice for 2027, they may wait till subsequent offseason, however as we’ve seen, the worth normally goes up. An extension this summer time would cement the center of the Eagles protection for years to return.
The son of an Eagles legend is getting his shot in Philadelphia – NJ.comThe 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 Payments signal FB/LB Ben VanSumeren to one-year contract – Buffalo RumblingsThe Buffalo Payments have added one other weapon to their 2026 roster, signing linebacker-turned-fullback Ben VanSumeren to a one-year contract on Wednesday, April 4. VanSumeren brings an attention-grabbing ingredient to Buffalo’s roster, having performed each protection and offense on the skilled stage for the Philadelphia Eagles.
Falcons rent ex-Eagles government Bryce Johnston to interchange Chris Olsen – The FalcoholicIf you needed a clue as to which entrance workplace the Falcons meant to emulate, you’ve gotten a bundle of clues as a substitute. The Falcons employed former Eagle and Bear government Ian Cunningham as their common supervisor, Eagles vice chairman of soccer operations Jeff Scott as their assistant common supervisor, and now former Eagles Senior Vice President/Tertiary Soccer Govt (that’s a mouthful) Bryce Johnston with the prolonged title of Vice President of Soccer Administration/Senior Personnel Govt. In impact, Johnston seems to be taking up the contract negotiation and cap administration function vacated by Chris Olsen, who not too long ago departed the group. In his prior function with the Eagles, Johnston was closely concerned in contract and cap issues, as nicely, and shall be an instrumental government for the Falcons this yr and subsequent as they navigate incoming contract selections for Bijan Robinson, Drake London, Kyle Pitts, and what guarantees to be an energetic free company interval in 2027.
Cowboys roster wants following the 2026 NFL Draft – Running a blog The BoysInside Linebacker – Even with Winters and Barham, there are nonetheless loads of considerations. Winters’ 27 begins during the last two years have principally come as Fred Warner’s wingman, so how will he carry out if requested to be the first? After spending many of the draft cycle promoting himself as an edge rusher, Barham now has to deal with taking part in inside. Which may be rather a lot for a rookie to course of in his first yr. Throw in DeMarvion Overshown’s evergreen well being points and there’s nonetheless loads of cause to fret about who will patrol the center of the sector.
Washington Commanders means too early 2026 53-man roster prediction – Hogs HavenAdam Peters put an enormous deal with the defensive aspect of the ball in free company, bringing in items to basically flip over half of the projected beginning lineup. With the seventh total choose, Washington took blue chip linebacker Sonny Kinds and went again to the defensive aspect of the ball in spherical 5 to pick out Tennessee EDGE Joshua Josephs. One factor that will stand out to you is all of the orange within the secondary. I do know this will likely look a bit miserable at first look, however I do assume a few of these gamers could make the color-jump to Purple with an excellent season – particularly in a scheme that performs to their strengths and permits them to shine. On a extremely constructive notice – this defensive transformation is profound and hopefully the outcomes shall be too.
Justin Simmons declares retirement as a Bronco – Mile Excessive ReportFormer Denver Broncos All-Professional security Justin Simmons has introduced his retirement. Greater than that, he retired as a Denver Bronco.
NFL distributes crew assignments to referees, sources say – ESPNThe NFL distributed crew assignments to referees this week amid indications of continued progress towards a deal on a brand new collective bargaining settlement with the NFL Referees Affiliation, sources advised ESPN. The assignments didn’t embody any of the substitute officers the league has onboarded and vetted in preparation for a possible lockout. The league’s officiating division has deliberate to start out coaching these substitute officers starting Friday. The present CBA between the edges is because of expire Might 31.
Takeaways: Flyers clinch collection in dramatic Recreation 6 behind Dan Vladar, Cam York – Broad Road HockeyThe Pittsburgh Penguins needed to be the eleventh staff in NHL historical past to drive a deciding Recreation 7 after taking place 3-0 in a collection however the Philadelphia Flyers stopped them of their tracks and ended up with the collection win Wednesday evening. Via 60 minutes, the goaltenders have been excellent. It was the primary time since 2002 that the Flyers went to time beyond regulation in a scoreless sport — a 1-0 win in opposition to Ottawa. Via the nerves, the sweat, and the anxiousness, historical past repeated, and the Flyers are on to the second spherical. [BLG Note: Let’s go Flyers!!!]
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