Eagles Talk #3 — The Season Is Lost, But Is the Future Bright?
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🦅 Eagles Talk #3 — The Season Is Lost, But Is the Future Bright?
November 11, 2026 — Looking Toward 2027
Well, here we are.
I haven't had much to say about the Eagles since our last installment. To tell you the truth, I just didn't feel very good about the Giants game.
And unfortunately, my gut was right.
Another loss. Seven straight. A 2–7 record.
At this point, I think the offseason has officially started for Philadelphia Eagles fans!
Oh, we'll still watch the games. We'll still yell at the television. And I'll still be showing up at Molly's house with the gang.
But I think it's time to stop dreaming about the playoffs and start thinking about 2027.
And surprisingly enough, I'm beginning to find some reasons for optimism.
Goodbye, Jordan Davis!
WOW!
I certainly didn't see this one coming.
Howie Roseman traded Jordan Davis to the Jacksonville Jaguars for a 2027 first-round pick and a 2029 second-round pick.
That's quite a return!
Sure, Jacksonville is having a good season, and that first-round selection could end up near the bottom of the round.
But it's still a first-round pick!
And the additional second-rounder gives Howie even more ammunition for the future.
There is a financial cost, though. The Eagles reportedly take on approximately $15 million in dead money in 2027, reducing their available cap space by about $6.5 million compared with keeping Davis.
Still, I think Howie made an excellent deal.
But I have to admit something.
I'm sad to see Jordan go.
He always seemed like a genuinely good guy. He was approachable, spoke with the media, treated fans well, and developed into a leader on this team.
He was also part of our Super Bowl championship.
I suspect he'll fit in nicely down in Jacksonville, and I sincerely wish him the best.
Thanks for everything, JD!
The Trade That Almost Happened
We nearly had another trade, too.
Arnold Ebiketie was reportedly headed to Cincinnati for a 2027 sixth-round pick.
I thought that would have been another nice little move by Howie.
But the deal fell apart because acquiring Ebiketie would have cost Cincinnati a projected third-round compensatory pick, in addition to the sixth-rounder they were giving Philadelphia.
Whoops!
Apparently, somebody in Cincinnati needed to check the fine print! 😂
So Ebiketie stays, and Howie doesn't get his extra sixth-rounder.
But the attempted deal illustrates something I've always appreciated about Roseman.
He looks for value wherever he can find it.
And that brings me to something I've been thinking about.
How Good Has Howie Been at Drafting?
We've spent plenty of time complaining about the Eagles lately, and deservedly so.
But I wanted to take a look at Howie's last four drafts, particularly the players selected in the first three rounds, along with a few later-round surprises.
And you know what?
I think he's done a pretty darn good job!
2026 — Looking Very Promising
| Round | Player |
|---|---|
| 1 | Makai Lemon, WR |
| 2 | Eli Stowers, TE |
| 3 | Markel Bell, OT |
Makai Lemon!
"Lemmon Aid"
LOL! That's his new nickname, and I think it's going to stick!
This kid has impressed me.
He's getting open, catching the football, making defenders miss, and even getting involved in blocking.
I think Lemon could have a breakout season next year, provided the Eagles can get the offensive line straightened out.
Then there's Eli Stowers.
I'm encouraged by what I've seen so far, particularly his willingness to block.
That was one of the biggest concerns about him coming out of college.
He's obviously a talented receiver, but if he continues improving as a blocker, he could become a very valuable tight end.
It's still early. I want to see more.
Markel Bell is another interesting prospect. I believe he has the potential to develop into a solid right tackle.
Will he ever be Lane Johnson?
Probably not. But he doesn't need to be.
A dependable starting tackle would be an excellent return.
My verdict: A very promising draft. If Stowers and Bell develop, it could become a great one.
2025 — Not a Total Loss
| Round | Player |
|---|---|
| 1 | Jihaad Campbell, LB |
| 2 | Andrew Mukuba, S |
Jihaad "Happy Feet" Campbell.
I know some fans disagree with me, and that's fine.
But personally, I think Campbell is a bust for the Eagles.
Notice I said for the Eagles.
I believe he could develop into a good player somewhere else, perhaps in a different linebacker role.
I just don't see him as our future middle linebacker.
He seems too hesitant, too often dancing around instead of attacking the play.
I'd rather see Jeremiah Trotter Jr. getting those opportunities.
And with Zack Baun already on the roster, I'm not convinced Campbell has a long-term role that justifies where he was drafted.
Trade him while he still has value.
But Andrew Mukuba?
I think he has a chance to become a very good starting safety.
So I'm certainly not calling the entire 2025 draft a failure.
2024 — What a Draft!
| Round | Player |
|---|---|
| 1 | Quinyon Mitchell, CB |
| 2 | Cooper DeJean, DB |
| 3 | Jalyx Hunt, EDGE |
I think 2024 could go down as one of Howie's best drafts.
Quinyon Mitchell has already demonstrated outstanding ability.
Cooper DeJean is another exceptional talent.
And I still believe the Fangio should move DeJean to safety full-time.
Let the kid loose!
I think his instincts and athletic ability could make him a tremendous playmaker back there.
Then we have Jalyx Hunt.
I really thought 2026 would be his breakout year.
Unfortunately, with everything going wrong on this defense, that hasn't happened.
But I'm not giving up on Hunt. Not even close.
He's athletic, has shown flashes of real talent, and I believe he can develop into a very good edge rusher.
And let's not forget fifth-round pick Jeremiah Trotter Jr.!
I've liked what I've seen from him recently, particularly when he's had opportunities to fill in.
That kind of later-round value is another reason I give Howie credit.
My verdict: Outstanding draft!
2023 — Another Excellent Class
| Round | Player |
|---|---|
| 1 | Jalen Carter, DT |
| 1 | Nolan Smith, EDGE |
| 3 | Tyler Steen, OL |
| 3 | Sydney Brown, S |
But I'm not ready to give up on him.
We've already seen what he's capable of, and I believe he'll get things turned around.
Nolan Smith is another talented player who has struggled to find consistency, with injuries playing a role.
There's still plenty of potential there.
Tyler Steen?
I believe he'll develop into a solid right guard.
Maybe not an All-Pro, but a dependable starter.
And that's valuable.
Sydney Brown did not developed the way we hoped, but not every selection is going to become a star.
And then there's the player we absolutely cannot overlook.
Moro Ojomo!
A seventh-round selection!
I think Ojomo has developed into a very solid defensive lineman, and I sincerely hope the Eagles find a way to extend him.
That's exactly the kind of late-round success that makes a general manager's draft record impressive.
My verdict: Another excellent draft, with several players who still have room to develop.
My Grade for Howie's Drafting?
A.
A solid A.
Now, don't misunderstand me.
That's his drafting grade, not his overall management grade!
I still think allowing Reed Blankenship to leave was a mistake.
Losing Nakobe Dean was more understandable because of the money involved.
And don't even get me started on the coaching staff decisions!
But we've discussed the coaches enough, and I want to keep this about the players.
I also think we need to give Howie some leeway regarding the offensive line.
Remember what we thought we had entering the season?
Jordan Mailata. Landon Dickerson. Cam Jurgens. Tyler Steen. Lane Johnson.
On paper, that's an outstanding offensive line!
You had proven high-level players, a young developing guard, and a future Hall of Famer.
Nobody could have reasonably expected the entire unit to fall apart like this.
So I'm giving Howie a pass for now.
But if he doesn't seriously address the offensive line this offseason, all bets are off!
And Look at All Those Draft Picks!
Here is where things start getting exciting.
After the Jordan Davis trade and several other moves, the Eagles are sitting on a considerable amount of draft capital for 2027.
Philadelphia Eagles — Projected 2027 Draft Picks
| Round | Picks | Where they came from |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | Eagles and Jaguars |
| 2 | 1 | Eagles |
| 3 | 1* | Projected compensatory pick |
| 4 | 1 | Eagles |
| 5 | 3 | Eagles, Ravens, Patriots |
| 6 | 0 | None currently |
| 7 | 1 | Acquired through trade |
| Total | 9 | Projected selections |
NINE PICKS!
Including two first-round selections and three fifth-rounders.
That's a lot of opportunity.
And when you consider Howie's ability to find useful players in the later rounds, I can't help getting excited.
Look at Ojomo.
Look at Trotter Jr.
There's no reason to believe he can't find more players like that.
Personally, I'd put offensive line help right near the top of the priority list.
Cornerback and safety deserve serious consideration, too.
But Howie also has enough selections to move around the draft board if somebody he really likes becomes available.
And remember, the Eagles have additional premium picks in 2028 and 2029.
This doesn't have to be a five-year rebuilding project.
The foundation of another good football team might already be here.
We just need to develop the talent, fill the holes, and get everybody playing together again.
Looking Forward
I'm not going to pretend this season has been anything but a disaster.
Seven straight losses are difficult to swallow, especially when we began the year with such high expectations.
But I don't believe everything is hopeless.
We've got young players with real potential, a general manager who has demonstrated that he can draft talent, and a growing collection of future draft picks.
Now Howie needs to put those resources to good use.
Will every pick work out?
Of course not.
But there's enough here to give me some optimism about 2027.
And who knows?
Maybe by this time next year, we'll be sitting at Molly's house watching Lemmon Aid catch another touchdown while the Eagles fight for a playoff spot.
Now THAT would be refreshing! 🍋😂
Until then, I'll still be watching.
I'll still be complaining.
And I'll still be an Eagles fan.
FLY EAGLES FLY! 🦅💚
Let's Talk Football!
How would you grade Howie's last four drafts?Was trading Jordan Davis the right move?
Which young Eagles players do you think will break out in 2027?
And what should Howie do with all those draft picks?
Let's hear it!
Eagles Talk #3 — The season may be lost, but the future isn't.