PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Count the Eagles as winners in this year’s NFL draft.
That’s not because of their draft haul — which included Southern California wide receiver Makai Lemon, a pick that signaled the likely end of A.J. Brown’s tenure in Philadelphia — since that grade is still to be determined.
Philadelphia’s trade with Minnesota for edge rusher Jonathan Greenard stole the show, and the Eagles hope he can be the motor on defense that powers them to another Super Bowl run.
The 28-year-old Greenard, who had been seeking a new contract and a trade if he didn’t get one from the Vikings, subsequently agreed to a four-year, $100 million extension, including $50 million guaranteed.
The Eagles’ cost for the 2024 Pro Bowler (and another draft pick) was the 98th overall selection this year and a third-rounder in 2027.
“Any way I can be disruptive, bring that relentless motor still here and continue to do what I’ve been doing, I’ll fit right in,” Greenard said.
There’s a reason the offseason in Philly is known as “Howie Season.”
Greenard is ready to play his part on an already strong defense.
“If you look at it across the board, they’ve got some dogs,” Greenard said. “Already, you start interior-wise, (Moro) Ojomo and obviously (Jalen Carter) and (Jordan Davis), they’re going to do their things. On the edge guys, it’s such a young presence and guys who are just relentless. I feel like that’s where I can add to it, just like a vet presence.”
The Eagles had a need after letting edge rusher Jaelan Phillips leave in free agency. Greenard was expendable in Minnesota given the emergence last year of 2024 first-round draft pick Dallas Turner and the overall excellence of fellow outside linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel.
Greenard was limited to 12 games in 2025 by a shoulder injury. He had three sacks after finishing with 12 in 2024, his first season with the Vikings. Greenard signed in free agency after four seasons with the Houston Texans, who drafted him in the third round in 2020 out of Florida.
Greenard downplayed his low sack total from last season and said Saturday he believes with full health and adjusted technique, he could return to the dominant form he showed in Houston and in his first season with the Vikings.
“I still feel like I rushed well,” Greenard said. “I was still getting back there. I feel like my moves didn’t drop off at all. I always tell myself, listen, the day somebody’s got to tell me to get to the quarterback, that’s when I’ll need to hang it up. Outside of that, if my issue is wrapping a guy up, I promise I’ll be in a good spot.”
It’s time to say goodbye to Brown
It took all of four seasons for A.J. Brown to stamp himself as a contender for the greatest wide receiver in Eagles history.
It took a rocky stretch in 2025 to essentially punch his ticket out of town.
The wheels are in motion for Brown to get traded after June 1. That follows a season in which Brown complained about his role in the offense before he stopped talking to media, and the Eagles bringing in a haul of wide receivers in the offseason.
None looms larger than Lemon, who was selected with the 20th overall pick on Thursday night. The Eagles moved up three spots to grab Brown’s potential replacement.
Philadelphia had already added receivers Dontayvion Wicks, “Hollywood” Brown and Elijah Moore to potentially pair with DeVonta Smith.
Lemon won the Biletnikoff Award as the nation’s top receiver after catching 79 passes for 1,156 yards — tops in the Power Four conferences — and 11 touchdowns for the Trojans. The 5-foot-11 wideout with a knack for acrobatic catches and game-changing plays earned first-team All-America honors from The Associated Press.
Brown is likely on the move, with the Patriots expected to be the leading contender to land the star wide receiver, reuniting him with coach Mike Vrabel, who had him in Tennessee. The Rams already pursued Brown earlier in the offseason. The Eagles would be able to spread a $40 million salary cap hit over two seasons by waiting until June 1 to deal him.
Roseman hasn’t budged any time this offseason he’s been asked about Brown.
“For us, again, A.J. is a member of the Eagles,” Roseman said.
For another month and change, at least.
Goedert’s time in Philly may be ending, too
Dallas Goedert isn’t going anywhere in 2026 after the veteran tight end signed a one-year, $7 million contract. He had 11 touchdown catches last season, but the 31-year-old is likely on his last contract with the Eagles after they drafted Vanderbilt tight end Eli Stowers with the 54th pick.
Last season’s John Mackey Award winner, Stowers led the Commodores with 62 catches for 769 yards. In two seasons at Vanderbilt, Stowers played in 25 games and had 111 receptions for 1,407 yards and nine touchdowns.
The rest of the picks
The Eagles added some unusual size — even for an offensive lineman — in the third round when they drafted Miami tackle Markel Bell, who’s 6-foot-9 and 346 pounds.
In the fifth, they took another North Dakota State quarterback in Cole Payton. He joins Carson Wentz as NDSU QBs drafted by Philadelphia.
Roseman took Georgia guard Micah Morris in the sixth round and Texas Tech safety Cole Wisniewski in the seventh. Also in the seventh round, the Eagles gambled on defensive tackle Uar Bernard. A Nigerian, Bernard is part of the NFL’s International Pathway Program, which gives players from outside the United States and Canada a chance to learn, develop, practice and play the game professionally as the league expands its global reach.
New Mexico edge rusher Keyshawn James-Newby was the Eagles’ final pick in the seventh round.
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AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl
Dan Gelston, The Associated Press
