Now we’re firmly in playoff territory.
Picks 21 through 24 belong to teams that either made a brief appearance in January or believe they’re one move away from doing so. The Pittsburgh Steelers, Los Angeles Chargers, Philadelphia Eagles, and Jacksonville Jaguars (whose selection has been traded to the Cleveland Browns) all enter draft weekend with legitimate aspirations — but also identifiable areas that could derail those ambitions.
This isn’t about overhauling a roster.
It’s about refinement.
For some, that means adding a final defensive piece to survive elite quarterbacks in the postseason. For others, it’s about protecting a franchise passer, strengthening depth in the trenches, or preparing for looming contract extensions that could reshape the roster in 2027 and beyond.
The pressure here is different from that at the top of the board. These teams can’t afford developmental luxury picks. They need contributors. Snap-eaters. Playoff-caliber depth.
And because Jacksonville’s pick now belongs to Cleveland, the ripple effects extend beyond one franchise. A win-now team selecting here changes how the back half of Round 1 unfolds.
In this batch, we break down:
- The biggest roster holes for each franchise
- Contract situations and future cap implications
- Which positions should be prioritized for veterans and rookies
- Potential fantasy football implications
These are the teams that believe they’re close — and in this part of the draft, the right selection can be the difference between another early exit and a deep postseason run.
Up next: the Pittsburgh Steelers, Los Angeles Chargers, Philadelphia Eagles, and Jacksonville Jaguars (pick traded to Cleveland).
Salary cap contract information provided by Spotrac.
- Fantasy Football Research & Advice
- Fantasy Football Expert Rankings
- 2026 NFL Mock Drafts
- Fantasy Football Trade Tools
- NFL Team Needs: Raiders, Jets, Cardinals, Titans (2026)
- NFL Team Needs: Giants, Browns, Commanders, Saints (2026)
- NFL Team Needs: Chiefs, Bengals, Dolphins, Cowboys (2026)
- NFL Team Needs: Falcons, Ravens, Buccaneers, Colts (2026)
- NFL Team Needs: Lions, Vikings, Panthers, Packers (2026)
- NFL Team Needs: Steelers, Chargers, Eagles, Jaguars (2026)
Pick 23: Philadelphia Eagles
2026 Free Agents:
- QB: Sam Howell
- RB: A.J. Dillon
- WR: Jahan Dotson
- TE: Dallas Goedert, Kylen Granson, Grant Calcaterra
- OL: G Matt Pryor, LT Fred Johnson, G Brett Toth
- EDGE: Jaelan Phillips, Azeez Ojulari, Joshua Uche, Ogbonnia Okoronkwo
- DL: Brandon Graham
- LB: Nakobe Dean
- CB: Adoree’ Jackson
- S: Reed Blankenship, Marcus Epps
- ST: Braden Mann, Ben VanSumeren (RFA)
2027 Free Agents:
- QB: Tanner McKee
- RB: Tank Bigsby
- WR: Quez Watkins, Britain Covey
- TE: Cameron Latu (ERFA)
- OL: G Tyler Steen
- EDGE: Nolan Smith (CLUB)
- DL: Jalen Carter (CLUB), Jordan Davis, Byron Young, Moro Ojomo
- LB: Chance Campbell (ERFA)
- CB: Jakorian Bennett, Kelee Ringo, Ambry Thomas, Tariq Castro-Fields
- S: Sydney Brown
Team Needs: OT, OG, WR, TE, EDGE, CB, S
Another year gone by, and yet another year with Philly owning a brand-new offensive coordinator for Jalen Hurts.
Sean Mannion is the guy for 2026. He was a GB coach and assistant for the Packers over the last 2 seasons. Promoted to quarterbacks coach the following year after Tom Clements retired.
Last played in 2023. He will be 34 years old in April.
The overarching plan is to install a McVay/Shanahan-type offense. More under-center plays, for example. Run game marrying the play-action game. Full read by Dave Zangaro.
Nick Sirianni essentially admitting they want to run a McVay/Shanahan offense is another example of why he succeeds as a head coach
His lack of an ego despite him absolutely having a resume that would allow him to have a massive ego is why the Eagles succeed
— Eliot Shorr-Parks (@EliotShorrParks) February 24, 2026
The Eagles also brought in former Buccaneers OC, Josh Grizzard, as the new pass game coordinator. Also coached in Miami since 2017.
If A.J. Brown is traded, there are a couple of notable veteran WRs with coaching connections that could land in Philly, such as Romeo Doubs, Mike Evans, or Tyreek Hill.
Will this revamped offensive coaching staff be able to get this uber-talented Eagles offense back on track? I am skeptical. If Mannion commits to the scheme and Hurts isn’t a great fit…what happens then?
The Eagles QB hasn’t been nearly as productive over the last two years as he was at the elite levels he reached in the past. QB8 in back-to-back seasons. QB7 in PPG (19.1) under 20 PPG in 2025. His rushing was also way down (career lows across the board) last season.
With a QB6 ECR, I will not be drafting Hurts in fantasy football for 2026 with the Eagles’ current offensive outlook.
Philadelphia’s offensive line’s regression has not helped.
Offensive tackle Lane Johnson is getting older (almost 36), although he continues to plan on playing into his 14th season. OG Landon Dickerson was mulling retirement, but has decided to come back for the 2026 season.
Center Cam Jurgens has been seeking and receiving stem cell treatment to deal with his several injuries.
OT Fred Johnson is a free agent (started nine games at RT last season).
As our fearless leader and resident Eagles homer put so eloquently in my review of this team needs….LT Jordan Mailata is the only starting OL who is a lock to even be on the team in 2027.
However, the Eagles’ longtime OL coach, Jeff Stoutland, will not be returning. The new OL coach is Chris Kuper. He has been with the Minnesota Vikings since 2022.
Tight end Dallas Goedert is a free agent (along with two of their backup TEs). He was an absolute TD machine in the red zone in 2025 (for the first time ever, he saw such heavy usage inside the opponent’s 20-yard line).
Philly values tight ends that can add value as run blockers. More likely he returns than a certain diva wide receiver…
A.J. Brown is as good as gone in Philly. It’s just a matter of time before the Eagles get the right trade offer.
And that is noteworthy not just for his own fantasy outlook, but for the outlook of the teammates he is leaving behind.
DeVonta Smith has shown a fantasy WR1 ceiling when his teammates have missed time the last few seasons. Most recently, in Week 8 of the 2025 season, Smith went 6-84 yards on nine targets with AJB out of the lineup.
He is an objectively good, if not great, wide receiver…and his numbers do not truly reflect his talent profile. He was more efficient than Brown was in 2025, while posting his third 1,000-yard season. More importantly, the Slim Reaper averaged career-high marks in yards per route run (3.1) and yards per target (11.9) when aligned out wide. Only Jaxon Smith-Njigba (3.8) and Puka Nacua (3.6) have averaged more yards per route run when aligned out wide among 89 wide receivers to have logged at least 150 such routes.
Nick Sirianni thinks that Smith hasn’t even hit his ceiling.
The Eagles’ defense was still fantastic in 2025. But they do have some areas that need some fine-tuning ahead of the 2026 season.
Free agent safety and team captain Reed Blankenship logged over 1,000 snaps last season. They drafted safety Andrew Mukuba in the second round last season, but he ended last year on IR.
They basically have all their same EDGE rushers as last season, except Jaelan Phillips is hitting FA. They traded for him last year before the deadline. Veteran Brandon Graham is always welcome back, but how effective he can be as a 38-year-old-old situational pass rusher remains in question. Can’t rely on him too heavily to have a massive on-field impact.
Another CB to replace/upgrade Adoree Jackson would also be advised. They still have Michael Carter II in the slot after they traded for him last season. But with Cooper DeJean also being a great slot defensive back, Carter’s fit in this 2026 defense will be one to watch (if he isn’t cut based on the bloated contract that he signed with the Jets). He won’t be back on his current deal.
The Eagles view DeJean as an “elite” asset as the nickelback, which means they need another perimeter CB opposite Quinyon Mitchell.
Takeaways from Howie Roseman at the NFL Combine –
• Looking to add to the CB position – doesn’t sound like they want to move Cooper DeJean from nickel – calls him “elite” there
• The door is open for Brandon Graham to return
• Will be difficult to keep a large number of… pic.twitter.com/7fLvh6e7dg— Ashlyn Sullivan (@ashlynrsullivan) February 24, 2026
Subscribe: YouTube | Spotify | Apple Podcasts | iHeart | Castbox | Amazon Music | Podcast Addict | TuneIn
