Philadelphia Eagles to target in 2026 NFL Draft: Speedy Edge Rusher and Talented Tight Ends
As the college football season heats up, fans of the Philadelphia Eagles are keeping an eye on five players who could make sense for the team in next year's NFL Draft.
First up is Western Michigan defensive end Nadame Tucker, a speed rusher with impressive numbers – 49 tackles (18 for loss), 12 sacks, and four forced fumbles in 12 games. At 6'3" and 250 pounds, Tucker has the size and skill to compete at the Senior Bowl. With that said, his production in limited playing time last year might be a cause for concern.
Tucker could potentially rise through the draft boards as teams need to fill out their rosters on day three. Given the Eagles' recent drafting trends, especially breaking the trend by selecting a linebacker in the first round in 2025, they may find Tucker's unique skill set appealing.
Next up is Texas Tech tight end Terrance Carter Jr., who has had an impressive season making 43 catches for 530 yards and five touchdowns. The Eagles have acknowledged their need at tight end, but surprisingly didn't add any undrafted free agents or drafted one last year.
While the top of this year's draft class isn't as stacked as it was in 2025, there are plenty of talented tight ends coming out. With Carter Jr.'s receiving chops and run-after-catch ability, he could be an interesting target for Eagles coaches.
At Alabama defensive end Yhonzae Pierre is turning heads with his emergence this season as a playmaker. The 6'3" edge rusher has racked up 39 tackles (10.5 for loss), six sacks, and three forced fumbles in just 11 games. If he decides to declare early, the Eagles would be an excellent fit for him on day two.
The Athletic's Dane Brugler ranks Caleb Downs third among all prospects this year, while ESPN's Mel Kiper has him ninth. Downs is described as ultra-instinctive safety who sees plays before they happen and is a stellar tackler in open space.
Downs' unique combination of football IQ and athleticism could make him an invaluable asset for the Eagles, especially with Reed Blankenship scheduled to be a free agent next year. As long as his enthusiasm and motor remain on high gear, he could become a top target.
Last but not least is Indiana wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr., who made one spectacular catch that preserved Indiana's undefeated season against Penn State. The 6'0" receiver has already shown off impressive hands in the Big Ten, and with 58 catches for 804 yards (13.9 YPC) and eleven touchdowns this year, he could be an interesting target on day three.
As the Eagles look to upgrade their receiving corps, Cooper's unique size and athleticism make him an intriguing prospect to keep an eye on.
As the college football season heats up, fans of the Philadelphia Eagles are keeping an eye on five players who could make sense for the team in next year's NFL Draft.
First up is Western Michigan defensive end Nadame Tucker, a speed rusher with impressive numbers – 49 tackles (18 for loss), 12 sacks, and four forced fumbles in 12 games. At 6'3" and 250 pounds, Tucker has the size and skill to compete at the Senior Bowl. With that said, his production in limited playing time last year might be a cause for concern.
Tucker could potentially rise through the draft boards as teams need to fill out their rosters on day three. Given the Eagles' recent drafting trends, especially breaking the trend by selecting a linebacker in the first round in 2025, they may find Tucker's unique skill set appealing.
Next up is Texas Tech tight end Terrance Carter Jr., who has had an impressive season making 43 catches for 530 yards and five touchdowns. The Eagles have acknowledged their need at tight end, but surprisingly didn't add any undrafted free agents or drafted one last year.
While the top of this year's draft class isn't as stacked as it was in 2025, there are plenty of talented tight ends coming out. With Carter Jr.'s receiving chops and run-after-catch ability, he could be an interesting target for Eagles coaches.
At Alabama defensive end Yhonzae Pierre is turning heads with his emergence this season as a playmaker. The 6'3" edge rusher has racked up 39 tackles (10.5 for loss), six sacks, and three forced fumbles in just 11 games. If he decides to declare early, the Eagles would be an excellent fit for him on day two.
The Athletic's Dane Brugler ranks Caleb Downs third among all prospects this year, while ESPN's Mel Kiper has him ninth. Downs is described as ultra-instinctive safety who sees plays before they happen and is a stellar tackler in open space.
Downs' unique combination of football IQ and athleticism could make him an invaluable asset for the Eagles, especially with Reed Blankenship scheduled to be a free agent next year. As long as his enthusiasm and motor remain on high gear, he could become a top target.
Last but not least is Indiana wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr., who made one spectacular catch that preserved Indiana's undefeated season against Penn State. The 6'0" receiver has already shown off impressive hands in the Big Ten, and with 58 catches for 804 yards (13.9 YPC) and eleven touchdowns this year, he could be an interesting target on day three.
As the Eagles look to upgrade their receiving corps, Cooper's unique size and athleticism make him an intriguing prospect to keep an eye on.
! They're targeting those speed rushers like Nadame Tucker - I mean who doesn't love a good pass-rusher? 
It's gonna be interesting to see how they play it out, especially since they broke that 1st round linebacker trend last year... now we'll see if they stick with that or go back to the norm 
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... remember those guys like Reggie White and Terrell Owens? Those were some legendary edge rushers! 
Now, these Western Michigan guys Nadame Tucker or Yhonzae Pierre are giving me flashbacks. They've got the speed, size, and skills to be game-changers on that field.
. Anyway, Terrance Carter Jr. from Texas Tech sounds like someone who can bring some excitement to the Eagles' receiving corps.
It's easy to overlook someone like Nadame Tucker at first glance, but his speed rusher skills could be just what the Eagles need to take their defense to the next level. The thing is, you don't know what you're gonna get when you draft a player, and that's where patience comes in - both as a fan and as an organization. It's easy to get caught up in the hype of someone like Terrance Carter Jr., but if they can stay healthy, he could be a game-changer for years to come...
I'm loving the Eagles' draft prospects! Nadame Tucker sounds like a total baller, but yeah, those limited playing time stats might be a red flag 
. And can we talk about Terrance Carter Jr.? 530 yards and 5 TDs in one season? That's like winning the lottery 
! I'm all for the Eagles taking a chance on him. Yhonzae Pierre is also giving me life with those 10.5 for loss tackles 
, but if he declares early, will it be too soon to tell? 
Downs seems like a solid pick, but what's up with the "ultra-instinctive safety" label? Is he like a superhero or something? 
And Omar Cooper Jr.? Dude can catch balls like they're going out of style! I'm hyped for day three, let's see what the Eagles do 
. Getting a speedy edge rusher like Nadame Tucker would be a huge boost, but you gotta wonder if he's got the production to back it up. Meanwhile, tight end is definitely a concern, and guys like Terrance Carter Jr. and Omar Cooper Jr. are looking more appealing by the day 
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Terrance Carter Jr. is looking like a good bet, but I also love Omar Cooper Jr.'s upside - that guy's got skills for days! 
️ nadame tucker's size and speed could be just what the doc ordered. and with terrance carter jr. at tight end, they'd have a solid TE to complement zach ebert 
. Can't they come up with something more creative than listing out 5 players who could be a good fit for the Eagles? It's like, come on, do some real reporting! Nadame Tucker has limited playing time and impressive numbers - sounds like an injury waiting to happen 
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. Can we get a more nuanced take on these players? Or maybe some analysis on what the Eagles are actually looking for in a draft pick? 
. Nadame Tucker's unique skill set and Terrance Carter Jr.'s receiving chops are definitely intriguing, and it'll be exciting to see how these prospects develop.
I don't know, maybe I'm just tired of seeing the same type of tight end get drafted year after year 
Caleb Downs sounds intriguing but also kinda unproven - does that make him a better value pick than someone like Omar Cooper Jr.? Ugh, my head is spinning 
. He's got some crazy speed rusher numbers, but we gotta consider his limited playing time last year is a bit of a concern. But hey, teams do love undervalued prospects, and if he can put up big numbers at the Senior Bowl, that'd be a major plus 
. Yhonzae Pierre's emergence this season is definitely exciting, though - that dude's a baller 
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Omar Cooper Jr. is the kinda talent that could bring instant excitement to that position. I mean, 13.9 YPC? That's crazy! With Jalen Hurts slinging it around, they'd be hard-pressed not to make a deep shot downfield with this guy on the field. 
. Plus, it's not like they need another left tackle since Lane Johnson is still good 
. I'm also keeping an eye on Terrance Carter Jr., he seems like a solid tight end prospect and the Eagles could use someone with his receiving chops 
they were so bad last season i mean 5 tds for all of zach eertchs targets like what? they need someone who can actually create separation and catch the ball, terrance carter jr seems like the only one with a shot at that