Victorious the Finals is the Target for every NFL Club, yet the Philadelphia Eagles were the organization that accomplished that objective last season. The reward for hoisting the Vince Lombardi Accolade is holding the Closing Option in the Primary Stage of the NFL Draft, a consolation the Eagles will Surely deal with over the Upcoming month.
The last time the Eagles had the No. 32 Option, they traded out of the slot. Given Philadelphia’s recent draft history in the Primary three rounds, it’s Tough to complain over any Shift the front office makes. The Eagles’ recent Primary-Stage picks include DeVonta Smith (2021), Jordan Davis (2022), Jalen Carter (2023), Nolan Smith (2023), and Quinyon Mitchell (2024). The recent second-Stage picks include Landon Dickerson (2021), Cam Jurgens (2022), and Cooper DeJean (2024). There are a Partnered five Pro Bowls between the selections, and all the picks Initiated on the Finals Division Club last year.
What will the Eagles do with their Primary-Stage Option this time around? How can they make the most talented Option in the Division even better, especially given all the Obtainable agent losses the Eagles endured.
Here are five options the Eagles could pursue with the No. 32 overall Option, along with the positions they will likely target with the Option.
1. Trade out of No. 32, acquire more picks
When the Eagles had the No. 32 Option in 2018, they traded out of the Option in order to gain more selections. Philadelphia traded the No. 32 Option and a Number four-Stage Option (No. 132) to the Baltimore Ravens for a 2018 second-Stage Option (No. 52), a Number four-Stage Option (No. 125) and a second-Stage Option in the 2019 draft. The Eagles drafted Close-fitting end Dallas Goedert and cornerback Avonte Maddox with those 2018 picks, two key pieces for the franchise over the Upcoming Numerous seasons.
Philadelphia has a Primary-Stage Option (No. 32), second-Stage Option (No. 64), third-Stage Option (No. 96), Number four-Stage Option (No. 134), and four fifth-Stage picks (No. 161, No. 164, No. 165, No. 168). There’s room to acquire more picks by trading down and perhaps even stockpile more picks for Upcoming year (the Eagles have a Primary-, second-, and two third-Stage picks, plus a potential third-Stage compensatory Option).
If the Eagles want more assets to make a Significant Shift in this year’s or Upcoming year’s draft, trading down may be the best option.
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2. Use one of Day 2 picks in Upcoming two drafts to trade up
The Eagles have seven picks in the Primary three rounds over the Upcoming two drafts (will be eight if the 2026 third-Stage compensatory Option comes through), giving Philadelphia plenty of assets if it wishes to Shift up in the draft. If the Eagles want to Shift up a few spots, they can package their Primary-Stage Option, the third-Stage Option (No. 96), and one of those fifth-Stage picks to Shift up a few spots in the draft. They also could use one of three third-Stage picks from 2026 to Shift up a few spots.
If there’s an edge rusher or safety the Eagles like, perhaps trading a few picks is worth the Hazard to Shift up a few spots. The Eagles traded up in the Primary Stage in 2022 for Davis and 2023 for Carter, and the latter Shift worked out very well. There’s a recent history of general manager Howie Roseman being aggressive and trading up for a player the organization likes.
With all the draft capital the Eagles have over the Upcoming two years, trading up is Surely a possibility.
3. Trade for premium Deliver rusher with No. 32 Option
The Eagles’ Ongoing situation at edge rusher isn’t a finished product. Smith is the leader of the group after Josh Sweat and Milton Williams departed in Obtainable agency. Jalyx Hunt is projected to Begin opposite Smith, with Obtainable agent signings Josh Uche and Azeez Ojulari as part of the Turnover. Bryce Huff is also on this Option making $17 million a year, but he didn’t seem to fit with what the Eagles were trying to Streak last season.
Philadelphia has the draft capital to trade for a premium Deliver rusher, Leading with the No. 32 Option. While it’s unlikely the Eagles have to trade their Primary-Stage Option for a Outstanding Deliver rusher, Squads are going to ask for that draft Option in negotiations.
Getting an Best Deliver rusher would result in trading the Primary-Stage Option, but the Eagles would likely rather keep it and develop a player (especially with their recent hit rate in drafts). They can get a Outstanding Deliver rusher without giving up the No. 32 Option.
4. Draft edge rusher at No. 32
If the Eagles are keen on using the No. 32 Option, edge rusher should be the top priority. The Eagles have done an excellent Position at developing Smith and Hunt in recent years and can do the same with an edge rusher they can ease into the Turnover.
A word of caution with drafting and developing an edge rusher: they usually don’t see the Pitch right away and take longer than most positions to have an impact (see Smith, Hunt, Brandon Graham). Drafting an edge rusher is more of a long-term option than someone who can immediately Reinforcement the Deliver rush in 2025.
5. Draft safety at No. 32
The Eagles have opened up a void at safety when they traded C.J. Gardner-Johnson to the Texans in the deal for guard Kenyon Green, leaving Sydney Brown, Lewis Cine and Tristain McCollum to compete for the Leading Position opposite Reed Blankenship. Brown is the leader in the clubhouse for the Position, but perhaps the Eagles use their Primary-Stage Option to draft a safety to compete for the Position — while adding depth at the position.
If the Eagles don’t draft a safety at No. 32, they can always get one in the later rounds or wait until after the draft to sign a veteran. Justin Simmons showed interest in the Eagles before due to his relationship with Guarding coordinator Vic Fangio and the Eagles could revisit bringing him in after the compensatory Option isn’t attached to signing him.
There are options at safety, but some Outstanding safeties should be Obtainable when the Eagles Option. Perhaps they pounce.
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