The Philadelphia Eagles selected North Dakota State QB Cole Payton in Round 5 of the 2026 NFL Draft. Payton played a Taysom Hill type role in 2023 & 2024, rushing for 414 yards over those two seasons. He won the QB job in 2025. As a one-year starter, Payton threw for 2,719 yards with 16 TDs and 4 INTs. He also rushed for 777 yards and 13 TDs. An elite athlete, Payton had a 9.87 RAS with a 4.56 40 at 6’3 and 232 pounds. He also ranked 99th percentile in Vertical (40”) and Broad Jump (10’10”). Among the 15 QBs invited to the NFL Combine, Payton ranked fifth in 2025 adjusted completion percentage (78.3%), and first in aDOT (12.3). He also ranked first in 2025 Big Time Throw rate (11.3%) and fourth in rushing yards per game when removing sacks (39.8). He is currently 23 years old.

The Philadelphia Eagles selected Vanderbilt TE Eli Stowers in the second round with the 54th pick of the 2026 NFL Draft. A four-star QB recruit in the 2021 class, Stowers made the move to TE at New Mexico State in 2023. He finished that year with a 35-366-2 receiving line before transferring to Vanderbilt. Stowers immediately emerged as the Commodores’ top target, leading the team with 49 catches, 638 yards, and 5 TDs in 2024. Stowers was even better this past year, posting a 62-769-4 line and winning the Mackey Award as the top TE in college football. His 2.55 yards per route ranked second among 99 FBS TEs with 30+ targets. Stowers looks like an excellent athlete on tape and confirmed that with a 9.42 Relative Athletic Score at the Combine, highlighted by a 4.51-second 40 time and 45.5-inch vertical. The question with Stowers is how he’ll fit in an NFL offense. He’s light at 6’4, 239 pounds and struggles to hold up as a blocker. He played just 38% of his snaps inline over the past two seasons. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport even said in the leadup to the draft that some teams were evaluating Stowers as a WR. It’s also worth noting that Stowers has suffered a pair of significant injuries:

• Torn PCL and meniscus in his left knee in 2019
• Torn labrum in his shoulder in 2021

New Eagles WR Makai Lemon ran 75.6% of his college routes from the slot. But the Eagles believe he can also kick to the outside as a pro. That'll be key to keeping Lemon on the field in 2-WR sets.

The Philadelphia Eagles selected USC WR Makai Lemon with the 20th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Lemon looks like one of the safest prospects in the draft. The film, production, and metrics all suggest he’s an NFL-ready receiver with early-impact potential. The 2025 season erased any remaining doubt. Lemon earned unanimous first-team All-America honors and claimed the Biletnikoff Award as the top FBS receiver after leading all Power Four WRs with 1,156 regular-season yards. He tallied a massive 3.13 yards per route run, tying him for fourth among 105 WRs with at least 80 targets.

The Eagles continue to discuss an A.J. Brown trade, and the Patriots remain highly interested in acquiring him. Brown has been at the center of trade rumors for most of the offseason, but his contract made a pre-June 1st move unlikely. Now, with both sides interested in a deal, Brown appears likely to head to New England as Drake Maye's long-term No. 1 WR.

The Packers are trading WR Dontayvion Wicks to the Eagles in exchange for 2026 fifth- and 2027 sixth-round picks, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Philadelphia is also giving Wicks a one-year, $12.5 million extension that keeps him signed through the 2027 season. Wicks has teased fantasy owners with a handful of strong outings over the last four seasons and registered strong marks in advanced metrics like targets per route and yards per route. But he never carved out a consistent role in Green Bay. There's opportunity for him to do so in Philadelphia ... if WR A.J. Brown is traded.

The Eagles are signing WR Marquise "Hollywood" Brown to a one-year deal worth up to $6.5 million, according to Jordan Schultz. Brown spent the past two years with the Chiefs (though a shoulder injury cost him nearly all of 2024), after two in Arizona and three in Baltimore.

TE Dallas Goedert has agreed to a one-year extension with the Eagles. That keeps him around through 2026 rather than allowing the veteran to hit the open market. The two sides seemed to be working toward this end, with both agreeing twice to delay a contract clause that would have forced an earlier decision to avoid a $20 million cap hit for the coming season.

Oregon TE Kenyon Sadiq stole headlines at the Combine on Friday with his 4.39-second 40-yard dash. But Vanderbilt's Eli Stowers actually edged Sadiq 9.46 to 9.43 in Relative Athletic Score. Stowers checked in at 6'4 and 239 pounds -- about a half inch taller and two pounds lighter than Sadiq. He ran a very strong 4.51-second 40-yard dash and crushed the jumping drills with a 45.5-inch vertical and 11'3 broad jump. The testing lands Stowers in the 94th percentile among all TEs since 1987. It adds to an exciting profile that already included a strong receiving skill set. Stowers racked up 111 catches for 1,407 yards over the past two seasons. The big question is whether he can hold up enough as a blocker to earn a full-time role as a pro. He's riskier than Sadiq as a dynasty target, but Stowers arguably has just as much upside.

The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Jeff McLane reports that Vic Fangio will return as the Eagles’ defensive coordinator in 2026. After briefly weighing retirement, the 67-year-old is set for a third season running Philadelphia’s defense. The Eagles ranked first in the NFL in fewest yards allowed in 2024 and slipped to 13th last year, but they’ve finished top-5 in fewest points allowed in both seasons under Fangio. While Nick Sirianni shuffled his staff this offseason, Fangio’s return preserves continuity on a defense that remains one of the team’s strengths.

The Eagles have selected Sean Mannion as their new offensive coordinator, according to multiple reports. The former NFL QB has spent just two years as a coach, both on Green Bay's staff. He operated as the QBs coach last season after opening as an offensive assistant.

Eagles HC Nick Sirianni announced Tuesday that he'll be replacing OC Kevin Patullo. The deposed coordinator filled that role for the first time in his career (at any level) this season. He had worked under Sirianni since the two joined Frank Reich's staff with the Colts in 2018. That includes spending the past five years with Sirianni in Philadelphia, four as pass-game coordinator before taking over for Kellen Moore in 2025.

Packers WR Dontayvion Wicks (concussion) has been downgraded to out for Saturday night's Wild Card game vs. the Bears. That should leave Matthew Golden as the No. 4 WR behind Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs, and Jayden Reed, but the rookie isn't a recommended play in any fantasy formats.

Packers WR Dontayvion Wicks (concussion) is questionable for Saturday night's Wild Card game vs. the Bears. He was limited in practice all week. Wicks figures to be Green Bay's No. 4 WR if he's cleared and isn't much of a factor in playoff fantasy contests.

Eagles TE Dallas Goedert (knee) is out for Sunday’s game against the Commanders. Philadelphia is expected to rest its key pieces in this game, so we suspect Goedert's knee issue isn't serious. His absence leaves the TE room to Grant Calcaterra and Kylen Granson.

NBC Sports Philadelphia reports that the Eagles confirmed Wednesday they'll "rest several key starters" in Sunday's regular-season finale against the Commanders. It's not yet clear, though, exactly who that plan affects and how.

NFL Nerwork's Mike Garafolo says he expects Philadelphia to rest some starters for its Week 18 home date with the Commanders. The Eagles currently sit third in the NFC playoff standings but could climb to second if they win and the Bears lose to Detroit at home. Both games are set to kick off at 4:25 p.m. ET on Sunday.

Packers WR Dontayvion Wicks sustained a concussion in the first half of Saturday night's game vs. the Ravens and won't return. It's his second documented concussion and leaves him iffy for Week 18. But Wicks should be cleared for Green Bay's playoff opener.

Packers WR Dontayvion Wicks (ankle) is active for today’s matchup against Chicago. With Christian Watson also active, Wicks isn’t a recommended fantasy starter.

Eagles RB Saquon Barkley (stinger) is not listed on the final Week 16 injury report. He took Tuesday off but was a full-go in practice on Wednesday and Thursday. Barkley will be ready for his usual role vs. the Commanders on Saturday.