Jan. 26, 2026, 8:06 a.m. ET

We blinked, and the calendar turned its page from 2025 to 2026. We blinked again, and we were a few days away from February. Somewhere along the way, the Philadelphia Eagles were eliminated from postseason contention.

Here’s what’s most disappointing about that last part. Again, they were bounced during the Wild Card Round. That’s the third time that has happened during the five-year Nick Sirianni era.

So, here we are. We watched every game of the NFL Playoffs and didn’t see a single team that the Eagles shouldn’t have beaten if they played at their best, but they were never at their best, on offense at least. What a nightmare season.

Consider yourselves warned. There will come times during this offseason when you agonize over a major opportunity that was lost, but there’s no point in crying over spilled milk. Yes, the offseason came sooner than expected, but it’s time to turn the page and get some housekeeping and early spring cleaning done.

Early ideas for the Eagles’ 2026 draft board

Wow, mock draft season certainly begins much earlier than it used to, doesn’t it? Mel Kiper has already dropped one, and in it, the Eagles landed Clemson Tigers star cornerback Avieon Terrell.

Expert NFL picks: Exclusive betting insights only at USA TODAY.

Cornerback is certainly a need and priority. Time will tell if the Birds invest early draft capital into finding another outside corner, but if we were take a poll, what you’d probably learn is that the more pressing needs are in other areas, particularly in the trenches.

Let’s put together a preliminary draft board.

Step one: Load the board with potential future Eagles linemen.

The Eagles’ offense has been strong, thanks to its offensive line. That’s been the case for quite a while now, but there were issues this season. Lane Johnson got hurt. Can Jurgens and Landon Dickerson were never 100 percent healthy.

Five consecutive drafts have addressed other needs in Round 1. Can you believe it? Philadelphia hasn’t drafted an O-lineman in Round 1 since it added Andre Dillard in 2019.

That may be the way to go in 2026. Johnson is finally showing signs of mortality, and no one knows what to expect of Jurgens and Dickerson moving forward. There’s no depth really to speak of. Expect some lengthy conversations about the offensive front all offseason.

Step two: Add some edge rushers to bolster the Eagles’ pass rush.

Football has its complexities, and in some ways, it’s a simple game. There’s a tried-and-true path to successful roster construction. Find the franchise quarterback. Add linemen to block for him. Find pass rushers to irritate the opposing team’s quarterback.

The Eagles aren’t starving for edge rushers per se. Nolan Smith and Jalyx Hunt are solid, and we’ve all been lectured about Jihaad Campbell’s versatility. Still, another game-changer is needed. This team can’t keep kicking the tires of the Brandon Graham bus.

Step three: Begin a Dallas Goedert succession plan.

Talk to a few Eagles aficionados, and they may swap the tight end and edge rusher position on the ‘importance’ meter. It’s easy to argue. The top three from last year’s depth chart are scheduled to enter free agency.

Dallas Goedert seems like an offseason priority, but it’s also worth mentioning that Philadelphia has so much money tied up in its offense. It’s nearing time to pay those young defenders. You can’t forget about them.

Some thought the Eagles would draft a tight end last April. They didn’t, and they now they near dire straits at the position. History has shown that great ones can be drafted in the midrounds, which is why we list this position as the draft board’s third priority.

Step four: Find another outside cornerback.

Kelee Ringo never took that next step. Actually, he got worse. Adoree’ Jackson got off to a slow start, but he turned things around and played well for the remainder of the regular season.

What Philadelphia can’t do, however, is walk into another summer with these guys as the best options to claim a starting position. Again, if you rank this need higher, that’s understandable, but history has shown that Howie Roseman will often add to the defensive backs’ cupboard later in the roster-building process.

See Ronald Darby, James Bradberry, and Steven Nelson for concrete examples of that last theory. Make no mistake, though. No one will complain, including us, if the decision is made to take a potential eight-year starter early.

Step five: Create depth at wide receiver

The legend Brandon Graham believes A.J. Brown will return, and while others agree, they’re all in the minority. Most believe the marriage is over. A possible trade seems to be the overwhelming theory about the three-time All-Pro’s future.

Whether he returns or not, this unit needs help. DeVinta Smith is amazing, but he can’t shoulder the core’s load alone. Currently on the depth chart, Philadelphia has Darius Cooper, Britain Covey, Jahan Dotson, Quez Watkins, and Danny Gray. Johnny Wilson is on the injured reserve.

Do you see what we mean? This unit needs reinforcements. Don’t forget. Philadelphia declined Dotson’s fifth-year option, making him a free agent after this season.