Eagles 2025-2026 Season

[LegoDoom]

And Micah Morris seems like a great pick even if he doesn't make it, but I hope he does.

[Squire]

I legit cannot figure out why Micah Morris was not ranked higher by the services. The RAS score is like 9.9, he starts for an SEC powerhouse, plays against the best competition and gives up no sacks, and very very low amount of pressures.

[Florida_Sunshine]

I seem to recall 0 sacks, 4 pressures. I don't get it either.

We drafted guys that will allow us to really spread the offense, even use trick plays with the versatility of Stowers and Payton.

Lemon is a stud. I predict great things from him even with a loaded receiver room.

[phillychuck]

Yes, the Madden playing millennial blog/journalist that runs BGN excoriated Howie for that pick relentlessly.

We all have our opinions, even the pros miss a lot of the time. Just because he’s a millennial and plays Madden doesn't mean he’s a moron. He’s run that site for more than a decade and is making money from it, so he at least deserves some respect.

[LegoDoom]

Yes, yes, yes. Hey, I’m not paying that much attention to the specific little moves that other team’s GMs are making, so maybe there are others doing similar things that are not so obvious to me, but many times I look at some of these “attention to detail” or “moves at the margins” and I wonder why other GMs are not able to figure this stuff out.

This is fair as I don't pay attention to other GMs moves, either, but a supposed failed Howie trade isn't even a fail (yes, he obviously does have his misses).

As far as Uar Bernard... I have no idea. I can only assume teams felt they could sign him after the draft... but if fans want an athletic freak, then he is it.

Still not sure what to think about Cole Payton. Even if you can dismiss the throwing motion his footwork is still odd.

EDIT: and I am not giving Howie all the credit. Clearly there are other people that work for him to give him some information about these type of leverage trades, but he still needs to execute them.

[zambonir]

Nothing wrong with millennials, they are running the Eagles' entire offense. Head coach is technically one too.

[dicemen99]

Yes, the Madden playing millennial blog/journalist that runs BGN excoriated Howie for that pick relentlessly.

We all have our opinions, even the pros miss a lot of the time. Just because he’s a millennial and plays Madden doesn't mean he’s a moron. He’s run that site for more than a decade and is making money from it, so he at least deserves some respect.

He can have respect for making money and running the site.

I’ve been reading his takes on personnel and schemes for years now, and yes, he has been a moron. By Madden playing I mean a guy who thinks he knows football by playing Madden, or watching TV, or reading a draft guide. He is basically a fan. And honestly most fans are morons when it comes to understanding the sport. Very few have spent a lot of time in the sport or have access to those people.

As I wrote I have noticed he has gotten more measured recently - and that’s a good thing. Lots of journalists take advantage of their access, study and learn, and eventually become pretty knowledgeable about what’s going on even if they’ve never played the sport at a high level. Hopefully that’s what’s happening with him because for the better part of the decade, most of his content belonged in the “comments” section. He just didn’t know what he didn’t know.

You say you like Kempski and I would say he’s not much better. I do give him a little pass because he puts out so much content you just can’t put a lot of time to research everything. But half of it is schlop co-opted from reading other sources without much context. Like his “top 15 guys for the Eagles on Day 3” type stuff. Half the commenters could have created the same list after reading ESPN or the Athletic. And maybe some smarter ones could have done a little better one by figuring out which types of guys the Eagles were more likely to draft. But like I said, lots of content needs to be put out so there is not a lot of time to put out well researched material.

Those platforms are at there best when they bring in their outside analysts to publish content. The articles have some value, most of the opinion stuff that BLG and Kempski put out has zero. But hot takes are what the people want.

[dicemen99]

Nothing wrong with millennials, they are running the Eagles' entire offense. Head coach is technically one too.

Agreed. No reason to paint the whole generation with a broad brush. In truth, the term just seemed to make the sentence read snappy. If he were a boomer I’d have the same opinion about his understanding of the game. At least as a millennial, that has a chance to change.

[phillychuck]

Kempski is funny at times which is a redeeming quality for me. Kempski used to podcast with Lawlor, which is also a point in his favor. BLG I think is trying to transition to being more mainstream...he was a guest panelist on the draft shows this year on PHLY, which is quite a step up for him.

[dicemen99]

Kempski is funny at times which is a redeeming quality for me. Kempski used to podcast with Lawlor, which is also a point in his favor. BLG I think is trying to transition to being more mainstream...he was a guest panelist on the draft shows this year on PHLY, which is quite a step up for him.

Agreed. I still read Kempski and enjoy some of it. Just pointing out that I’m not treating a lot of his opinion stuff - like when he weighs in on who’s making the roster, how Hurts looks, what he thinks of a draft pick or personnel move - as much more informed than a fans. These guys are not analysts.

There is just such a demand for content now that it puts these guys in the position of being that for fans. There’s a demand for it. But it’s really not much different than talking to your buddies after an Eagles loss. To give some of these guys opinions more weight just because they are in that position is a mistake.

[phillychuck]

Just for fun, here are the Eagles picks round by round...I’m interested in your letter grades for each round (I’m trying to take into account value, fit, alternatives at that slot, and of course my own biases for preferred player types play into it):

Round 1: No. 23 – WR Makai Lemon – 5-11, 192 – USC A/A+
Round 2: No. 54 – TE Eli Stowers – 6-4, 239 – Vanderbilt B
Round 3: No. 68 – OT Markell Bell – 6-9, 346 – Miami B
Round 3: No. 98 – traded for ED Jonathan Greenard A for the trade
Round 5: No. 178 – QB Cole Payton – 6-3, 232 – NDSU B-
Round 6: No. 207 – OG Micah Morris – 6-5, 334 – Georgia A+
Round 7: No. 244 – S Cole Wisniewski – 6-3, 219 – Texas Tech B+
Round 7: No. 251 – DT Uar Bernard – 6-4, 306 – IPP B/INC
Round 7: No. 252 – ED Keyshawn James-Newby – 6-2, 238 – New Mexico B

overall, B+ draft, maybe A- if you include the trade. In my humble opinion. To be honest I thought last year’s draft was a solid A, but I thought Campbell would be an instant star, and Robinson would be solid at DT. I liked the later picks and that turned out to be a good take regarding Mondon, Cam Williams, and Kendall. I loved Mac McWilliams who looks like he might not make the roster this year.

[xogfog]

Agree

[phillychuck]

I’ll include another list with Fran’s rankings for each pick on his big board just for fun (BTW, it’s worth a subscription to PHLY just for the draft guide): Adding consensus from PFN after slash

Round 1: No. 20 – WR Makai Lemon – 5-11, 192 – USC 24 / 14
Round 2: No. 54 – TE Eli Stowers – 6-4, 239 – Vanderbilt 118 / 60
Round 3: No. 68 – OT Markell Bell – 6-9, 346 – Miami 96 / 106
Round 3: No. 98 – traded for ED Jonathan Greenard
Round 5: No. 178 – QB Cole Payton – 6-3, 232 – NDSU 129 / 136
Round 6: No. 207 – OG Micah Morris – 6-5, 334 – Georgia 234 / 253
Round 7: No. 244 – S Cole Wisniewski – 6-3, 219 – Texas Tech 101 / 252
Round 7: No. 251 – DT Uar Bernard – 6-4, 306 – IPP NR / 433
Round 7: No. 252 – ED Keyshawn James-Newby – 6-2, 238 – New Mexico NR / 359

And UDFAs
TE Dae'Quan Wright, Ole Miss NR / 181
LB Deontae Lawson, Alabama 172 / 133
DB Tucker Large, Washington St NR / NR
OL Jaeden Roberts, Alabama 130 / 233
DB Maximus Pulley, Wofford reviewed but NR / NR
DB Kapena Gushiken, Ole Miss reviewed but NR / 388
DL Joshua Weru, IPP (Kenya) NR / 419
LS Rocco Underwood, Florida NR / NR

Not a good “value” draft/UDFA class by Fran’s rankings. Better by PFN (note they rank 488 players, if you’re not ranked on their board...)

[allentown]

A lot of draft evaluators said a lot of teams overdrafted TEs. Interestingly, we did not figure large among the panned overdrafts of TEs. I'm happy with Stowers. May never be much of a blocker but a very interesting receiver. Hopefully, he and Lemon give Hurts more confidence on mid-field passes. I blame Sirianni for Hurts' increasing timidity. A modern management saying is "you get what you measure". Sirianni seems to measure his QB on his ability to minimize turnovers. He succeeds on that score. Apparently, Sirianni is less concerned by a ton of 3-and-outs. Sirianni seems to want an extremely conservative offense to avoid turnovers. The ungodly success of the running game, including tush push, in 2024, just seemed to accentuate Sirianni's desire to ensure that the only pass interceptions surrendered were well downfield. No, I am not a big Sirianni fan. For a guy who is supposed to be a great manager and inspirer of the people who work for him, he treated Stoutland shabbily and had little self-control. He gets way to enamored with 'his guys' as promotable offensive coaches. He has selected two OC duds from his staff. The selections have been better when the front-office put a heavy thumb on the scale. I put last season's offensive failure squarely on his shoulders. Injuries didn't help and Saquon had the normal return to earth after 2024, but the scheme was Sirianni's doing.