I'm going to preface this by saying Howie is much more likely to trade up...and likely for an OT. But, just for fun...because, well, all mock drafts are just fun exercises, I'm going to go in the opposite direction. Supposedly the 2027 draft will be much more loaded than this year's. Besides the cap ramifications of the AJ Brown trade, it's also likely Howie just wants 2027 picks vs 2026 picks. Furthermore, there's the thought that this year is going to determine whether or not the Eagles will extend Hurts or want to move on. And we all know Howie likes to be prepared (as in, what if we want a QB from the 2027 draft?)

So...here we go.

Eagles trade back - Arizona wants to get ahead of Cleveland to ensure they get Ty Simpson...assuming Pittsburgh doesn't take him at 21. Cards send pick 34 + their 4th (pick 104) and a 2027 2nd rounder.

Round 2, pick 34 - OT Max Iheanachor - Never liked the idea of taking him at 23, but ok with it here in this scenario. Will need some time to develop, but overall a good prospect. His floor should be at least a pro-bowl caliber G.

Round 2, pick 54 - WR Chris Bell - Injury discount that hopefully pays more dividends in 2027 because I wouldn't count on him doing much this year. Hollywood, Moore and Wicks (and Smith) this year, but Bell claims a starting role next year.

Round 3, pick 68 - S Jalon Kilgore - Seems like the exact type of DB to be a great fit for Fangio.

Round 3, pick 98 - TRADE! Eagles acquire Edge Jonathan Greenard from the Vikes for pick 98. There has been some smoke about this and seems like a Howie move. This would be assuming they can work his contract to make him happy while not killing us.

Round 4, pick 104 - OL Brian Parker - Versatile lineman, can back up all 3 interior spots. We need to come out of this draft with at least one legit OT prospect and a good interior prospect.

Round 4, pick 108 - TE Sam Roush - TRADE! Eagles move up from 114 and give up 137. I firmly believe NFL teams value Roush more than the general draftniks do. Hell, this might be too late for him.

Round 5, pick 166 - Edge Michael Heldman - TRADE! Eagles give up pick 197 to move up 12 spots in Round 5 for their last pick of the draft. Like Roush, I think NFL teams see more in Heldman than we do. Hell, Daniel Jeremiah now has him as his 149th ranked prospect! Good fit for the Eagles' D.

Post June 1st - AJ Brown is FINALLY dealt. Eagles get: 2027 1st round pick and 2028 3rd round pick.

2027 - Eagles would now have 2 firsts, 2 seconds and 2 thirds (eventual comp pick for Phillips). Plus a 2028 3rd. All of which could come in handy if Howie needs to make a strong move for a future QB1 (or whatever 2027 blue-chipper they want).

Nicely done - great read, great thinking, and makes sense. Thanks.

If we come out of this with Iheanachor, Bell, Kilgore, Greenard, and Roush, Howie has hit another home run.

Potentially moving on from Hurts is interesting. Even more so because McKee will be a free agent.

Interested in the new name - Heldman. I monitor 7 rating services and he's mentioned in 3, with player rankings 401, 337, and 344. Any info on him besides Jeremiah?

That 2027 haul would be tome os fun for guys like us to work with and speculate on. I'm assuming the 2nd 3rd rould pick is the Phillips comp.

Arguably one of the best, if not the best mock I’ve seen. I’d be over the moon if this were to happen this weekend! 👊🏼