2026 NFL Draft Day 3 Recap: Eagles Throw Darts at Unique Targets
The third and final day of the 2026 NFL Draft has come to an end for the Philadelphia Eagles. After trading for Jonathan Greenard to end day two, Eagles general manager Howie Roseman remained busy on day three. The Eagles entered Day 3 with just three selections but ended up making five picks on Saturday. What do Philadelphia’s latest additions bring to the team in 2026 and beyond?
The QB Factory Adds a New Toy
The Eagles got things started on Day 3 with a pick that may have surprised many but not those that understand the value that the team places on backup quarterbacks. Philadelphia selected North Dakota State quarterback Cole Payton with the 178th overall pick in the fifth round. A player that the Eagles showed interest in during the pre-draft process.
While Tanner McKee and Andy Dalton are still in Philadelphia, neither player is under contract beyond 2026. There’s also a real chance that one of them is traded ahead of the regular season. Now Payton brings a unique, dual-threat skillset that nobody in the quarterback room besides Jalen Hurts can provide. Payton has legitimate starting upside and can now sit back and learn for at least one season before being elevated to QB2 in Philadelphia.
Another Mammoth Added to the OL
On Day 2, Philadelphia added the biggest offensive lineman in the 2026 NFL Draft in Miami (FL) offensive tackle Markel Bell. But that didn’t stop the Eagles from adding another mammoth along the offensive line on Day 3. Philadelphia selected Georgia guard Micah Morris with the 207th overall pick in the sixth round. Morris started 19 games at Georgia, splitting time at both left guard and right guard.
At 6’5 1/4”, 334 lbs. with 33 5/8” arms and 10 3/8” hands, Morris has more than enough size to thrive on the inside. Yet Morris isn’t a slouch due to his size, he’s surprisingly athletic. He turned heads during the pre-draft process with his 40-yard dash of 5.09 seconds, a nearly 30” vertical jump and a 9’4” broad jump. Following the departure of Matt Pryor and Brett Toth, Morris will immediately compete for a backup job at guard in Philadelphia.
Exciting Whites 2.0
Following the departure of Reed Blankenship, many Eagles fans were panicking as the team failed to address the safety position on Day 3. Yet Philadelphia finally filled the void created by Blankenship’s departure in the seventh round…in more ways than one. The Eagles selected Texas Tech safety Cole Wisniewski with the 244th overall pick in the seventh round.
While Wisniewski could give the Eagles their next version of the “Exciting Whites,” he will also brings some unique traits to Philadelphia. At 6’3” and 219 lbs., Wisniewski brings rare size to the Eagles’ safety room. He thrives as a downhill defender when aligned close to the line of scrimmage. Wisniewski will need to improve in coverage to earn a significant role in Vic Fangio’s defense but he has the traits that are worth taking a chance on in 2026.
The Nigerian Dream
The Eagles have experience finding diamonds in the rough of the NFL’s International Player Pathway program, just ask Jordan Mailata. A few weeks before the 2026 NFL Draft, Nigerian interior defensive lineman Uar Bernard turned heads with his workout at the IPP pro day. Fast forward to Day 3 and the Eagles selected Bernard with the 251st pick in the seventh round.
Bernard has never played a game of American football, yet his combination of size and athleticism is worth developing. At 6’4”, 306 lbs. with 36” arms, Bernard looks like he was created in a laboratory. Yet he also showcased freakish athleticism with a 4.63-second 40-yard dash and a 10’10” broad jump. At this point in the NFL Draft, you’re essentially buying lottery tickets. But it’s hard to find a prospect with more upside than Bernard in the seventh round.
Under Pressure
After trading two third-round picks for Pro Bowl edge rusher Jonathan Greenard on Day 2, Philadelphia’s room appeared rather crowded. Yet that didn’t stop the Eagles from adding an intriguing edge rusher late on Day 3. Philadelphia selected New Mexico edge rusher Keyshawn James-Newby with the 252nd overall pick in the seventh round.
“KJN” spent time at Montana Tech and Idaho before finishing his college career at New Mexico. James-Newby made an immediate impact for the Lobos as he recorded nine sacks and 15 tackles for loss in 2025. While “KJN” is considered undersized at 6’2” and 238 lbs., that didn’t stop him from posting an elite pressure rate of 18.8% and quick pressure rate of 6.9%. If he can contribute on special teams, he could push for a roster spot as a rookie.
What’s Next?
Following the end of the 2026 NFL Draft, the Eagles immediately got to work on the undrafted free agent market. Philadelphia has reportedly signed eight undrafted free agents, headlined by Ole Miss tight end Dae’Quan Wright. Here’s a quick look at Philadelphia’s reported undrafted free agent signings:
The Eagles will have their rookie minicamp in the coming days, where they will likely bring in a few other undrafted free agents and veteran free agents on tryouts. Following that event, the Eagles are scheduled to begin their first OTA offseason workouts on May 26th. That’ll be the first opportunity for the entire team, including the rookies, to practice together in Philadelphia.
In the meantime, I’d expect the Eagles to make a few more moves along the margins. Free agent signings will no longer count towards the compensatory pick formula following the 2026 NFL Draft. Philadelphia could still use a proven starter at safety, which is the main position to watch for moving forward. Lastly, the expected A.J. Brown trade will finally be able to be officially completed after June 1st.