![\"Philadelphia](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/1771828576_236_ap-dallas-goedert-Eagles.jpg\")
Philadelphia Eagles tight end Dallas Goedert looks on during an NFL preseason game against the Pittsburgh Steelers Thursday, Aug. 9, 2018, in Philadelphia. (Winslow Townson\/Associated Press)\nTight end<\/p>\n
Even with Lane Johnson returning for another season at age 36, which he confirmed last week, right tackle will be among the Eagles\u2019 positions of interest at the NFL Scouting Combine, starting today and running through next Monday at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.<\/p>\n
The six-time Pro-Bowl selection, still elite when healthy, missed the final eight games (including playoffs) last season with a Lisfranc foot injury. He has mulled retirement for a couple years.<\/p>\n
Johnson reportedly has met with new offensive coordinator Sean Mannion and new O-line coach Chris Kuper. He will eventually share his thoughts about the sudden departure of Jeff Stoutland, with whom he is close, but for now he\u2019s looking forward to playing in the Mannion\/Kuper West Coast-oriented system.<\/p>\n
Over his 13-year career, the Eagles are 110-57-1 when Johnson is on the field and 18-27 when he isn\u2019t. Last year, they were 8-2 with him and 3-5 without him.<\/p>\n
Johnson was the fourth overall pick in 2013 out of Oklahoma. But left tackle Jordan Mailata, who credits Stoutland with his own development, was a seventh-rounder in 2018. It\u2019s just a reminder that high-quality linemen can be found all over the draft.<\/p>\n
Line depth in 2025 was a concern beyond Johnson\u2019s health. Three-time Pro Bowl left guard Landon Dickerson had meniscus surgery shortly before the season, and he battled neck, shoulder and ankle injuries throughout. And center Cam Jurgens, a two-time Pro Bowl selection, struggled recovering from back surgery, missed three games with a knee injury and suffered a concussion.<\/p>\n
With a faltering line, among other problems, the Eagles\u2019 offense regressed. So general manager Howie Roseman will have several line reinforcements in mind at the combine.<\/p>\n
The Birds will select 23rd in the first round of April\u2019s draft and currently have eight picks overall, including projected compensatory selections \u2014 a first- and second-rounder, and two apiece in the third, fourth and fifth rounds.<\/p>\n
In addition to tackle, at least three other needs stand out as Roseman and Co. descend on Indianapolis:<\/p>\n
Philadelphia Eagles tight end Dallas Goedert looks on during an NFL preseason game against the Pittsburgh Steelers Thursday, Aug. 9, 2018, in Philadelphia. (Winslow Townson\/Associated Press)
\nTight end<\/p>\n
Dallas Goedert, 31, who has dealt with injuries much of his career, played in 15 games last season and scored 11 touchdowns, a franchise record at the position. He became Jalen Hurts\u2019 go-to guy in the red zone. But it was the final year of his restructured deal, and he\u2019s likely out the door. That\u2019s a big hole to fill.<\/p>\n
Oregon\u2019s Kenyon Sadiq is clearly the top tight end prospect, but the class isn\u2019t considered particularly deep. Vanderbilt\u2019s Eli Stowers and Ohio State\u2019s Max Klare are in the next tier, followed by Mitchell Evans (Notre Dame), Oscar Delp (Georgia) and Jack Endries (Cal).<\/p>\n
The Eagles may have to get creative to find an answer.<\/p>\n
CB2<\/p>\n
Two years ago, Roseman hit a home run with outside cornerback Quinyon Mitchell in the first round, and then hit on slot corner Cooper DeJean in Round 2. But unless the Eagles want to re-sign Adoree\u2019 Jackson, 31, at the second boundary corner spot, he\u2019ll walk away in March.<\/p>\n
They want an upgrade at the position, and a relatively deep cornerback class could offer one on a rookie contract.<\/p>\n
Michigan\u2019s Will Johnson and Ohio State\u2019s Denzel Burke lead the pack, according to most analysts, with Tacario Davis (Arizona), Denver Harris (UNLV), Toriano Pride Jr. (Missouri) and Avieon Terrell (Clemson) also grading well.<\/p>\n
Even the third round could provide high-upside talent. But the league has a dearth of premium corners, so names may come off the board quickly.<\/p>\n
Strong safety<\/p>\n
Reed Blankenship, whom Philadelphia signed as an undrafted rookie out of Middle Tennessee State in 2022, may have played his final game with the Eagles.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou think about it \u2026 and it\u2019s tough,\u201d Blankenship said when the season ended. \u201cI was emotional coming in here, just knowing the guys I came in with, it\u2019s not going to be the same. Who knows where we all end up? That\u2019s just part of the business side of it. They can\u2019t keep us all. I wish they could.\u201d<\/p>\n
Blankenship, an unrestricted free agent who turns 27 next week, has become a reliable leader of the defense, a \u201cset it and forget it\u201d presence on the back end. He may not command a top-echelon salary, but he\u2019ll draw significant offers that could be challenging for the Birds to match.<\/p>\n
Ohio State\u2019s Caleb Downs is not only elite among safeties, but he is also considered one of the best prospects in the draft and is projected to go in the top 10 to 15. Toledo\u2019s Emmanuel McNeil-Warren slots below him, followed by a string of midlevel prospects that includes Dillon Thieneman (Oregon), Kamari Ramsey (USC), Zakee Wheatley (Penn State), A.J. Haulcy (LSU), Bud Clark (TCU), Michael Taaffe (Texas) and Jakobe Thomas (Miami).<\/p>\n
![\"Philadelphia](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/1771828577_74_Landon-Dickerson-Eagles.jpg\")
Philadelphia Eagles left guard Landon Dickerson runs onto the field before a 2025 game at Lincoln Financial Field. (AP file photo)
\nThe Jaelan Phillips question<\/p>\n
Whether to re-sign edge rusher Jaelan Phillips, 27, whom the Eagles acquired from the Dolphins for a third-round pick before last year\u2019s trade deadline, is a burning question. It will depend on his salary demands.<\/p>\n
Phillips finished with five sacks, 14 QB hits, 53 combined tackles, four pass deflections, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery in 17 games between Miami and Philadelphia. Despite a subpar performance against San Francisco in the playoffs \u2014 the case for several Eagles \u2014 he stabilized the Birds\u2019 defensive front when he arrived in November.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s a deep draft class for edge rushers, with Miami\u2019s Rueben Bain Jr. leading the way as a potential top-five pick. He is closely followed by David Bailey of Texas Tech, Auburn\u2019s Keldric Faulk and Texas A&M\u2019s Cashius Howell.<\/p>\n
Other names to keep in mind include T.J. Parker (Clemson), Mason Thomas (Oklahoma), Romello Height (Texas Tech) and Gabe Jacas (Illinois).<\/p>\n
Key offseason dates<\/p>\n
\u2022 Feb. 23-March 2: NFL Scouting Combine.<\/p>\n
\u2022 March 3: Deadline of 4 p.m. ET to tag players with Franchise or Transition designations (open since Feb. 17).<\/p>\n
\u2022 March 9-11: Legal \u201ctampering\u201d period for players who will become unrestricted free agents. Players and their agents may negotiate with teams but cannot sign until 4 p.m. March 11.<\/p>\n
\u2022 March 11: 2026 league year and free agency signing period begin at 4 p.m. New salary cap takes effect. Roster bonuses kick in for relevant contracts. Teams must be in financial compliance by 11:59:59 p.m. March 12.<\/p>\n
\u2022 March 29-April 1: Annual league meeting, Phoenix.<\/p>\n
\u2022 April 15: Deadline for teams to time, test, visit, interview or conduct physical examinations with draft-eligible players at the club facility.<\/p>\n
\u2022 April 17: Deadline for restricted free agents to sign offer sheets.<\/p>\n
\u2022 April 20: Teams with returning head coaches may begin offseason workout programs.<\/p>\n
\u2022 April 22: Deadline for prior club to exercise right of first refusal to restricted free agents who signed offer sheets. Deadline for teams to time, test, visit, interview (including video and phone calls) or conduct physical examinations with a draft-eligible players at any non-club location.<\/p>\n
\u2022 April 23-25: 2026 NFL Draft, Pittsburgh.<\/p>\n
\u2022 May 1: Deadline for clubs to exercise fifth-year option for players selected in the first round of the 2023 draft.<\/p>\n
\u2022 May 1-4 or May 8-11: Teams may hold their three-day post-draft rookie minicamp.<\/p>\n
\u2022 May 11: Rookie development programs begin.<\/p>\n
\u2022 May 19-20: Spring league meeting, Orlando, Fla.<\/p>\n
\u2022 June 1: Teams incur a lesser cap hit when cutting or trading players because bonuses\/guaranteed money can be deferred.<\/p>\n
\u2022 July 15: Deadline of 4 p.m. for teams to sign any players designated with the Franchise tag.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Mid-July: Clubs may open preseason training camp for rookies.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Late July: Full training camps open.<\/p>\n
Dates for team OTAs and minicamps have yet to be announced by individual clubs.<\/p>\n
Notes<\/p>\n
\u2022 Jurgens, 26, recently spent time at BioXcellerator\u00a0in Medellin, Colombia, for stem cell therapy. He called it a \u201chealth reset week\u201d on his Instagram page.<\/p>\n
BioXcellerator describes itself as a \u201cglobal leader in stem cell therapy for orthopedic and sports injuries, spine and disc conditions, autoimmune and degenerative diseases, and other disorders.\u201d Its corporate office is in Scottsdale, Ariz., but it performs regenerative treatments in Medellin because of restrictions in the United States.<\/p>\n
Jurgens, who was rumored to be contemplating retirement after an injury-riddled 2025, received intradiscal stem cell infusions in his back and also underwent ozone therapy, cryotherapy and traditional physical therapy during his visits.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m excited to get healthy and get ready for this next season,\u201d Jurgens said in his Instagram post. \u201cThat\u2019s why I\u2019m down here. \u2026 Go Birds!\u201d<\/p>\n
\u2022 Running back Saquon Barkley said he\u2019s \u201csuper excited\u201d to play in Mannion\u2019s offense.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve had a lot of different coaches and head coaches and been a part of a lot of systems. I don\u2019t think I really came across a system like this,\u201d Barkley told NFL Network. \u201cFor me, it\u2019s refreshing. You get something new. You get to learn something new.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u2022 The Eagles will listen to trade offers for wide receiver A.J. Brown, but won\u2019t pull the trigger unless they\u2019re bowled over by a proposal.<\/p>\n
\u2014<\/p>\n
Follow Christiaan DeFranco on X at @the_defranc.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Even with Lane Johnson returning for another season at age 36, which he confirmed last week, right tackle…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":770502,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2068],"tags":[5831,100112,3395,25,7,1641,5545,6,927,242,109,2476,894,11052],"class_list":{"0":"post-770564","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-philadelphia-eagles","8":"tag-aj-brown","9":"tag-chris-kuper","10":"tag-dallas-goedert","11":"tag-eagles","12":"tag-football","13":"tag-howie-roseman","14":"tag-lane-johnson","15":"tag-nfl","16":"tag-nfl-combine","17":"tag-philadelphia","18":"tag-philadelphia-eagles","19":"tag-philadelphiaeagles","20":"tag-saquon-barkley","21":"tag-sean-mannion"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/channels.im\/@nfl\/116118565845190553","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/770564","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=770564"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/770564\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/770502"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=770564"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=770564"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=770564"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}