There is no football feast quite like “The Beast.”
Dane Brugler’s exhaustive annual draft guide dropped Wednesday morning, which gives everyone two weeks to pore over its 523 pages (or scroll through this year’s interactive version) and learn just about everything involving the hundreds of draft-eligible players whose names will be called upon in Green Bay at the NFL Draft.
Here, we’ll focus on how it relates to the Philadelphia Eagles. There are several interesting takeaways. So far, the Eagles’ offseason has included another offensive coaching staff shakeup, two major contract extensions, the retirement of a franchise favorite, a risky trade and an expectedly quiet free agency cycle. The draft has long been signaled as the organization’s main acquisition tool for the 2025 season.
Last week, we published an Eagles-specific big board. The Athletic has also conducted two beat writer mock drafts, and, last month, we mocked a full seven-round draft for the Eagles. Taking that analysis into consideration, while also exploring new observations, below are 10 main thoughts after reading “The Beast.”
1. Lighter QB class means Eagles likely won’t as easily be rewarded as they were in 2024
Quarterbacks drive every draft market. No position is more influential. Teams value the position so heavily that they’ll routinely choose QBs over prospects of other positions who received higher grades from reputable evaluators. Last year’s draft was a prime example. Top 10 prospects Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye were chosen 1-2-3. That pushed top-ranked players at other positions deeper into the draft. Then the Minnesota Vikings traded up to No. 10 to select J.J. McCarthy (Brugler’s No. 21 overall prospect), and the Denver Broncos at No. 12 picked Bo Nix (Brugler’s No. 44 prospect). This triggered a record-setting delay for defensive players, which enabled Quinyon Mitchell to fall to the Eagles at No. 22. The QB-heavy market arguably also allowed Cooper DeJean to be available at No. 40.
The QB market is much lighter this year. Cam Ward (Brugler’s No. 13 prospect) and Shedeur Sanders (No. 34) could be the only quarterbacks taken in the first round, although there are scenarios that could include Jaxson Dart (No. 49) and Tyler Shough (No. 50). Add in the return of running backs, Ashton Jeanty (No. 3) and Omarion Hampton (No. 29), being taken in the first round (one wasn’t in 2024), and it’s still difficult to see a scenario in which there’s a significant disparity between the ranking of the player and his being selected by the Eagles at No. 32 overall. (Mitchell was Brugler’s No. 11 prospect.)
2. An unusually strong TE class is worth consideration
“As many as three TEs could crack Round 1,” Brugler writes. Further still, “there are no fewer than four — and perhaps as many as five or six — tight ends that deserve legitimate Round 1 consideration.” There have only been five drafts since 2000 in which multiple tight ends were taken in the first round. Three tight ends were taken in 2017 and 2002. Never four. Such a statement about this tight end class by Brugler shouldn’t go unnoticed, especially given the Eagles’ need at the position.
The Las Vegas Raiders ought to consider it a steal to have selected Brock Bowers at No. 13 overall last year. Bowers was a Pro Bowler and first-team All-Pro selection as a rookie while totaling 112 catches, 1,194 yards and five touchdowns. Penn State’s Tyler Warren (Brugler’s No. 8 prospect), like Bowers in 2024, is a Top 10 prospect who could also fall into the teens. While Warren and Michigan’s Colston Loveland (No. 11) are likely beyond Philadelphia’s range, it’s interesting to consider whether Mason Taylor (No. 33) or Elijah Arroyo (No. 41) could be a sensible first selection for the Eagles.
Tight end may soon be a considerable need for the Eagles. Dallas Goedert may soon join C.J. Gardner-Johnson as yet another productive player shipped to another team in the necessary clearing of cash. The Eagles have already signed two veterans — Harrison Bryant and Kylen Granson — in apparent proactivity to fulfill depth if they indeed find a trade partner for Goedert. But neither player’s past suggests Goedert-level productivity is in their future. Philly’s No. 2 TE, Grant Calcaterra, who logged career highs in catches (23), receiving yards (298) and touchdowns (1), is also entering the final year of his rookie contract.
The Eagles hit on the two tight ends they’ve selected in the first round in the Super Bowl era. Charle Young (No. 6, 1973) was a three-time Pro Bowler and one-time All-Pro, and Keith Jackson (No. 13, 1988) earned three of his five Pro Bowl selections with the Eagles and all three of his All-Pro selections. Both belong to a previous era. The Eagles have twice spent second-round picks on tight ends during general manager Howie Roseman’s tenure (Zach Ertz, 2013; Goedert, 2018). Could Roseman break his trend? Could the Eagles trade back from No. 32 and be in range of Taylor or Arroyo?
3. Gunnar Helm has a familial connection to the Eagles
Perhaps the Eagles instead opt for a tight end in the middle rounds. I mocked them a fourth-round selection of Gunnar Helm out of Texas. That was because of Helm’s productivity and potential fit in the Eagles’ offense. He totaled 60 catches, 786 yards and seven touchdowns in his final season with the Longhorns. Here’s what Brugler uncovered. Helm’s maternal grandfather was drafted by the Eagles. His paternal grandfather, Roger Helm, played tight end at Iowa.
4. There’s a notable surplus of edge rushers in the Top 64
Brugler ranked 13 edge rushers within his Top 64 prospects — a significant uptick from six in last year’s draft class. In 2024, the notable surplus was the cornerback position. The Eagles kick-started a run on cornerbacks in the second round by trading up to select DeJean. This year, the Eagles are scheduled to enter the draft with eight draft picks (four in the fifth round), which Roseman could wield in a similar draft-day trade. Perhaps Roseman could execute another deal to hold the sort of draft positioning required to land an edge rusher the Eagles favor.
5. Kelvin Banks listed as a guard, an interesting thought for the Eagles
Roseman referred to his focus on Philadelphia’s trenches as an “unhealthy obsession.” Three of his last four first-round picks were spent in the trenches — entirely on the defensive side. The Eagles haven’t spent a first-round pick on an offensive lineman since picking Andre Dillard No. 22 overall in 2019. That’s actually a sign of health. Lane Johnson has been a long-time staple at right tackle, Jordan Mailata beat out Dillard and succeeded Jason Peters at left tackle. Two of Roseman’s second-round picks — Landon Dickerson (2021) and Cam Jurgens (2022) — have solidified two of the three slots along the interior. Right guard is now a vacancy. The Eagles have a trio of options who can compete for the job (Tyler Steen, Kenyon Green, Trevor Keegan). But they could have the opportunity to add a first-round talent who’d also give them a future option at tackle.
There are portions of Banks’ profile that are intriguing as it relates to his fit in Philadelphia. He has a natural sense of being an offensive lineman (“looks like he has been playing there his entire life”). He’s also described as a “humble team captain who is all business.” Both would equip Banks if he’d indeed transition to playing guard, which he never played at Texas. Stoutland University shouldn’t be used as a cure-all term. But Jeff Stoutland has the reputation of a development guru for good reason. Stoutland has said that he likes “unusual” traits in his linemen. Brugler writes that Banks has a “lack of desire arm length” and “lacks overpowering strength to redirect defenders.” The unusual traits originate more within Banks’ balance and athleticism at his size (6-5, 315).
6. Nick Emmanwori reads like a safety the Eagles would take
The Eagles haven’t spent a first-round pick on a safety in the Super Bowl era. But Roseman has broken tendencies for players of distinguished caliber. (See Saquon Barkley, Zack Baun.) Emmanowri appears to fit that mold in rookie form. For one, there’s the compelling size (6-3, 220) that made him a part of the “Freaks List.” He also carries position versatility. He was listed at free safety, but he “lined up primarily in the box with some slot and deep snaps.” Emmanwori also has the tough identity the Eagles desire. “He’d be competing in UFC if not for football,” Brugler writes. There’s also the safety’s play-making ability. He returned two interceptions for touchdowns last season (another in his career was negated by a penalty). Given Emmanwori’s traits, it’d be pretty shocking to see him available at No.32. Would the Eagles trade up if he fell within their range?
7. Malaki Starks reads like a safety that comes with some questions
Starks, Brugler’s No. 19 prospect, is ranked only two spots lower than Emmanwori. Starks seems to have the intangibles the Eagles value. “Genuine leader,” Brugler writes. Adds his secondary coach: “He holds people accountable, and he holds himself accountable. I think that’s his greatest trait.” Accountability is one of Eagles coach Nick Sirianni’s core values. Starks also has the accolades. He was a three-time, first-team All-American. He also went to Georgia, which Roseman has basically claimed as Philadelphia’s farm system. Starks could be available at No. 32. But the traits that made Emmanwori jump off the screen don’t appear as abundant in Starks. “Not a powerful tackler.” … “Gives up inside position too easily in man-to-man in slot.” … Can defensive coordinator Vic Fangio and his staff develop Starks?
8. Speaking of safeties… check out Toledo
Yeah. I’m harping on safety. But the Gardner-Johnson trade did create a vacancy opposite Reed Blankenship. Even if the Eagles’ confidence in 2023 third-round pick Sydney Brown pays off, Blankenship is entering the final year of his contract. Even if the Eagles plan on re-signing Blankenship, they are an organization that prefers to give themselves options. (What if Blankenship, like Milton Williams and Josh Sweat, plays himself out of their price range? For the Eagles to add a safety somewhere in the draft would make sense. And maybe that’s later in the draft. One option: Toledo’s Maxen Hook is Brugler’s No. 11-ranked safety. Sirianni’s connection to the Toledo coaching staff is well-documented. Hook was also Quinyon Mitchell’s roommate. (More on that in this profile on Mitchell from last year.) The 6-1, 201-pound Hook was a three-time, first-team All-MAC selection, ranked in the top 25 in the FBS in tackles per game last season (8.9) and recorded seven interceptions in his final three seasons.
9. Speaking of Toledo… check out Darius Alexander
The Eagles are down a spot along their defensive interior after Milton Williams left Philadelphia to become the highest-paid player in the history of the New England Patriots organization. The position group will be a major strength for the Eagles whenever Jalen Carter takes the field. They also have solid depth with Moro Ojomo, Jordan Davis and Thomas Booker. But it’d behoove the Eagles to supply Fangio with another defensive tackle after losing the versatile Williams. We’ve mentioned Darius Alexander before. Like Mitchell, Alexander proved he can beat high-level competition while at the Senior Bowl. He’s Brugler’s No. 61 overall prospect. Offering a projection is foolhardy, but with the Eagles at No. 64 and equipped with six other picks within the Top 168, the Eagles could work their way into draft positioning to land a 24-year-old tackle whom Brugler says “projects best in an attacking role, where he’d be able to maximize his disruptive traits.”
10. This draft class could provide competition for QB3
The Eagles have long kept their quarterback room well-stocked in the Roseman era. It’s a practice that’s paid off. Backup Nick Foles led the Eagles to their first Super Bowl title. Last year, Kenny Pickett won his spot start against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 16 while Jalen Hurts was sidelined with a concussion. Then, when Pickett broke his ribs, Tanner McKee stepped in and completed 27-of-41 passes for 269 yards and two touchdowns in a Week 18 start against the New York Giants. The Eagles held confidence in both Pickett and McKee, but they effectively leveraged their surplus to net a fifth-round pick by trading Pickett to the Cleveland Browns in a deal that included quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson. McKee, a sixth-round pick in 2023, was the more cost-effective choice to keep. But Thompson-Robinson’s past play is not impressive. In 15 games across two seasons, he threw one touchdown and 10 interceptions. The Eagles have their franchise quarterback in Jalen Hurts. Still, they can cultivate the room with backups that can net them favorable returns like the Pickett trade yielded. McKee’s contract expires after the 2026 season. The Eagles could spend a Day 3 pick on a prospect like Indiana’s Kurtis Rourke to keep the cycle going.
(Top photo of Nick Emmanwori: Kevin Jairaj / Imagn Images)