Do you’re feeling just like the Philadelphia Eagles crushed the 2026 offseason? ESPN definitely does.
Solely two different groups — the Los Angeles Chargers and Miami Dolphins — completed immediately under the Birds with them every getting an “A-.”
Let’s check out Walder’s evaluation.
Greatest transfer: Buying and selling WR A.J. BrownMove I preferred: Signing CB Riq WoolenMove I disliked: Extending DT Jordan Davis
There’s a robust case to be made hiring Sean Mannion as their new offensive coordinator was the Eagles’ greatest transfer however the Brown commerce was definitely a serious one as properly. Walder dove extra into that departure:
As is commonly the case, Eagles common supervisor Howie Roseman was busy within the commerce market this offseason. That meant the long-awaited and at last consummated Brown deal to the Patriots, netting Philadelphia a 2028 first-round decide and a 2027 fifth-round decide. Shedding Brown is a short-term knock, but it surely turned clear his time as an Eagle was up and Philadelphia was in a position to flip him for a first-round choice — which comes with years of anticipated worth — earlier than Brown’s decline actually set in.
The Eagles ready for the lack of Brown by buying and selling fifth- and sixth-round picks for Dontayvion Wicks and choosing Makai Lemon within the first spherical of the draft. I notably just like the Wicks acquisition. The previous Packer has a 69 open rating over the previous three seasons — properly above common — and maybe has not totally realized his upside.
Buying and selling Brown is not any minor “short-term knock.” Sure, he had a down yr in 2025, but it surely was nonetheless the thirty first most receiving yards by an Eagles participant in franchise historical past. You’ll additionally discover his identify first, second, and twenty second on that record from his earlier three seasons. I’m reluctant to say he’s simply not the identical participant anymore; I feel he’s nonetheless bought some actually good soccer in him.
After all, the state of affairs right here was untenable, so the Eagles realistically needed to transfer on. And with that a lot being one of many worst saved secrets and techniques within the NFL, you can provide Howie Roseman credit score for in the end touchdown a first-round decide for him. However the Eagles are undeniably a much less proficient group with Brown gone and their large receiver outlook isn’t as nice because it was.
Lemon may be good. It’s arduous to say for positive at this level. The Eagles are going to be closely relying upon him as a rookie. I feel Wicks may be a pleasant contributor for this group; he might need some untapped potential. It’s additionally doable these strikes don’t work out and it turns into clear that Brown’s manufacturing is sorely missed.
Regardless that Walder listed Woolen as his transfer that he preferred, he bought into the Jonathan Greenard commerce earlier than that.
The Eagles made one other important acquisition I used to be a fan of in buying and selling for edge rusher Jonathan Greenard. Excessive-end veterans have grow to be so inflated on the commerce market recently that I hardly ever consider the buying group is the winner in offers like this — however the Greenard commerce was an exception. The Eagles land a participant whose sack manufacturing was down (solely three sacks in 12 video games final season) however who persistently wins on a down-to-down foundation (his 23.3% move rush win charge at edge would have ranked fourth had he certified). He fills a necessity after Philadelphia misplaced Jaelan Phillips in free company, which can seemingly web them a third-round compensatory decide subsequent yr per OverTheCap.com.
I, too, am bullish on Greenard. I feel he may be one of many extra underrated gamers within the NFL. This can be a man with the seventh-most sacks within the NFL since 2023. Greenard generated the identical variety of pressures in 12 video games final season that Josh Sweat did in 17 video games, per Professional Soccer Focus charting. Greenard generated the second-most pressures amongst edge rushers in 2024, solely behind … Myles Garrett. 2025 was a down yr for Greenard however the Eagles purchased comparatively low from a commerce compensation perspective. Betting on him to bounce again is a worthwhile gamble.
The Eagles additionally had one among my favourite free company signings of the offseason, nabbing Woolen for one yr and $12 million. Woolen is just not thought of among the many sport’s greatest corners regardless of metrics that counsel elite-level play. Over the previous 4 seasons, Woolen ranks first amongst all cornerbacks with no less than 500 protection snaps in air yards allowed per protection snap, simply forward of recent teammate Quinyon Mitchell and Pat Surtain II.
I’m additionally a giant fan of this transfer. A variety of groups go into free company with the mindset of needing a participant at a sure place, so that they attempt to signal the highest participant at that spot. And typically that is sensible. But it surely additionally seemingly means overpaying. In Woolen’s case, I really feel like Roseman didn’t go into free company saying let’s signal a prime cornerback at any value. He let the market play out and realized Woolen may very well be had at a worth. This was a “best player available” alternative that we often speak about as a draft technique. Woolen had an superior spring. The Eagles ought to have the very best cornerback trio within the NFL, which may be very thrilling to consider.
Lastly, a quick word on Davis:
My lone critique was the three-year, $78 million extension for Davis, which was a bit wealthy for a nostril sort out. Davis is an efficient participant in opposition to the run, however I would like extra move rush to justify that kind of contract.
Davis made a giant leap final season and there’s an argument to be made that his contributions transcend conventional field rating stats. I don’t suppose it’s unfair to hope for extra sack manufacturing. I do suppose the Eagles are hoping he’ll proceed to enhance versus merely plateauing from right here on out.
Finally, I’m a bit of stunned the Eagles completed within the prime spot. I don’t suppose they’d a horrible offseason by any means; they made some strikes to be enthusiastic about. However dropping each A.J. Brown and Jeff Stoutland is hardly insignificant. In earlier years, all of us would’ve had these two guys among the many prime causes for optimism in regards to the group. The Eagles are additionally placing numerous eggs within the Mannion basket, which can or could not work out.
Roseman has clearly earned the advantage of the doubt. And I’m guessing that a lot is influencing Walder’s grade. However I’m in all probability extra within the B vary than a straight A.
How would you grade the Eagles’ offseason?
Accounting for all of the teaching employees adjustments, free company happenings, trades, and draft additions.
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Elsewhere within the NFC East, Walder handed out these grades:
New York Giants: B+Dallas Cowboys: C+Washington Commanders: C+
Solely 5 groups completed with worse marks than the Cowboys and Commanders. You’ll be able to take a look at evaluation of ESPN’s grade for Dallas at Running a blog The Boys and for New York at Massive Blue View.
