While I have watched highlights from the Super Bowl every day since it happened, apparently a NEW season of football is still going to start in September. Before that can happen however, each team gets to select a number of former college standouts in the annual NFL Draft (April 24-April 26) which takes place in Green Bay, Wis. this year.
The Philadelphia Eagles will have the last pick in the first round, due to being the defending Super Bowl champs of course, and seven picks in rounds two through five, although Executive VP/GM/Wizard Howie Roseman has been known to make a deal or two on draft weekend.
2025 Picks:
1st round (PHI), No. 32
2nd round (PHI), No. 64
3rd round (PHI), No. 96
4th round (DET), No. 130
5th round (HOU), No. 161
5th round (CLE via DET), No. 164
5th round (WAS), No. 165
5th round (PHI), No. 168
2026 Picks:
1st round (PHI)
2nd round (PHI)
3rd round (PHI)
3rd round (NYJ)
4th round (PHI)
5th round (PHI)
5th round (HOU)
7th round (PHI)
four compensatory picks too (3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th rounds)
Potential Team Needs (2025 free agents in parentheses):
EDGE (Josh Sweat, Brandon Graham)
LB (Zack Baun, Oren Burks, Ben VanSumeren; Nakobe Dean FA in 26)
OG (Mekhi Becton, Fred Johnson)
OT (Jack Driscoll; Darian Kinnard, Brett Toth FAs in 26)
TE (C.J. Uzomah FA; Dallas Goedert, Grant Calcatarra, E.J. Jenkins FA in 26)
CB (Isaiah Rodgers, Avonte Maddox FA; Darius Slay, Tristin McCollum, Eli Ricks, James Bradberry FAs in 26)
RB (Kenneth Gainwell)
IDL (Milton Williams; Jordan Davis, Thomas Booker IV FAs in 26)
Now that a majority of free agent decisions have been made, we have a better idea of what the Birds might do during the draft.
The Eagles lost: Sweat (Cardinals), Rodgers (Vikings), Gainwell (Steelers), Williams (Patriots), Slay (Steelers), Burks (Bengals), Becton (Chargers), Maddox (Lions), Johnson (Jaguars), Graham (FA), Bradberry (FA)
The Eagles retained: Baun, VanSumeren
Undecided: Uzomah, Driscoll
The Eagles signed free agents: LG Kenyon Green (Texans), EDGE Joshua Uche (Chiefs), RB A.J. Dillon (Packers), CB Adoree’ Jackson (Giants), LS Charley Hughlett (Browns), TE Harrison Bryant (Raiders), TE Kylen Granson (Colts), EDGE Patrick Johnson (Giants), PR/KR/WR/RB Avery WIlliams (Falcons), EDGE Azeez Ojulari (Giants)
Originally I was planning on having separate posts for offensive guards and offensive tackles but here I am 24 hours before the start of the NFL Draft and, well, I don’t have enough time for two posts! Luckily for me, a lot of these o-line prospects project as versatile, multi-positional dudes.
With the addition of Kenyon Green in free agency, the Birds starting five up front is set for this year but, as we’ve seen in the past, you can never have too much talented depth in the trenches. Lane Johnson also isn’t getting any younger/healthier so an heir apparent at right tackle could be the move on Day 2 for Philly.
Let’s take a look at a quartet of blockers the Eagles could draft this week to help to solidify their offensive line for the future.
(Age listed is “age on first day of the season.” Height and weight is as listed on NFL.com draft profile.)
Tate Ratledge, Georgia, OG, 6-foot-6.5, 308 pounds, 5th year senior, 24 years old absurdly athletic; ranked 8th out of 1,730 offensive guards in RAS who qualified from 1987 to 2025 like your ex-wife, Ratledge is straight up MEAN; doesn’t stop until he has knocked his man over on running plays top tier leader and doesn’t beat himself with penalties missed a ton of games (20) due to injuries in his career
2024 accolades: First Team All-America (AFCA); Third Team All-America (AP); First Team All-SEC (AP, coaches)
2024 stats: 10 games played/9 starts/missed 4 games due to injury
Fun fact: played punter in high school too
The Eagles should draft him in: 2nd round
BGN’s Jonny Page says: “If the Eagles want to draft a starting right guard in the 2nd round, Ratledge makes a ton of sense. I think he’s going to be a solid starter, but due to his arm length, he doesn’t have elite upside.”
Grey Zabel, North Dakota State, OT/OG, 6-foot-6, 312 pounds, 5th year senior, 23 years old played every offensive line position (for multiple games) in college except center another incredibly athletic o-line prospect, ranking 78th out of 1,507 offensive tackles in RAS since 1987 explodes quickly out of his stance on running plays due to his short arms there is almost no chance he ends up playing tackle in the NFL and a number of draft analysts think some teams might try him at center (which he played during Senior Bowl week) ended his career starting 36 straight games, but only one of those was against an FBS team
2024 accolades: All-MVFC First Team; FCS All-America First Team (AP, Stats Perform, AFCA, FCS Football Central, Phil Steele); FCS national champion; 2x MVFC Offensive Lineman of the Week
2024 stats: 16 games/16 starts at LT; only allowed one sack in 12 regular season games
Fun fact: rented 250 acres near his family’s farm to plant corn, putting his agribusiness degree to good use
The Eagles should draft him in: 2nd round
BGN’s Jonny Page says: “If the Eagles think he can play right guard… watch out at 32. He’s the opposite style to Mekhi Becton, but the Eagles played with Cam Jurgens next to Jason Kelce before, so they are happy with two quick interior linemen!”
Jonah Savaiinaea, Arizona, OG/OT, 6-foot-4, 324 pounds, junior, 21 years old named a Freshman All-American as OG; played final two seasons at OT (left and right) his RAS rating goes way higher (9.19 —> 9.85) when compared to guards instead of tackles; excellent quickness stout in pass protection and quite difficult to dislodge once he gets set can get beaten inside by speed rushes
2024 accolades: All-Big 12 Honorable Mention
2024 stats: 11 games played/11 starts; allowed four sacks, two QBH, 10 hurries
Fun fact: didn’t start playing football until 7th grade
The Eagles should draft him in: 3rd round
BGN’s Jonny Page says: “I think Savaiinaea could step in and start at right guard immediately, but I didn’t see the dominance in the run game that the Eagles will value. He has the size the Eagles look for, so they could have interest in the 2nd, but I have a feeling they may want more of a mauler. However, he has tackle/guard versatility and a massive frame – this sounds familiar!”
Marcus Mbow, Purdue, OT, 6-foot-4, 303 pounds, redshirt junior, 22 years old
I have watched Mbow play football since 2019 (I used to write a TON about Wisconsin Badgers football recruiting) and he has improved rapidly every year since then has footwork like a dancing bear due to being a basketball player for most of his life
not big enough, but has room to add more weight, nor strong enough, but a professional weight lifting regiment will fix that can get to the second level easily and make blocks to open up large lanes for running backs one of the lone bright spots on an absolutely dreadful Boilermakers offense in 2024
2024 accolades: All-Big Ten Honorable Mention
2024 stats: 12 games played/12 starts; only allowed one sack in nine Big Ten games
Fun fact: led his high school Wauwatosa (Wis.) East to the 2021 Division 1 basketball state title as the team’s starting center
The Eagles should draft him in: 4th round
BGN’s Jonny Page says: “I’m not sure what to do with Mbow. He profiles as a tackle, and doesn’t have the physicality to be a mauler inside, but his 32’ arm length is a big concern. I think I see him as a backup for multiple positions, which has value in the 3rd round.”