Here's Why Each Eagles Rookie Could Start, And Why They Won't

Eight rookies emerged form the Philadelphia Eagles draft class, and have a reputation to uphold.

The last five draft classes general manager Howie Roseman has selected -- the majority of them produced. DeVonta Smith, Jordan Davis, Jalen Carter and Quinyon Mitchell are first-round picks that are franchise cornerstones. Cooper DeJean and Landon Dickerson are second-round picks that are in the same realm.

This draft class has its fair share of players that can be franchise cornerstones, from Makai Lemon and Eli Stowers -- to potentially Markel Bell and Uar Bernard. This eight-man draft class is intriguing between the players expected to be immediate contributors and the ones that will be developing in 2026.

Which players are going to contribute to the starting lineup in 2026? Which of the players in this draft class don't have a shot at playing time this year?

Makai Lemon (1st round)

Lemon is expected to immediately contribute in this offense, already taking DeVonta Smith as a mentor in his early days with the Eagles. Smith was a WR2 over the past four seasons, the position Lemon is in a competition this summer.

Dontayvion Wicks is the biggest competitor to Lemon for the WR2 role, but Hollywood Brown should also be considered in the mix. Wicks could get the call early as he and Lemon will still get their fair share of targets.

Come later in the season, Lemon should have the WR2 role on lock. He'll be contributing all year.

Eli Stowers (2nd round)

Stowers was a luxury pick for the Eagles, while also providing a significant upgrade at TE2. Prior to Stowers, the TE2 battle was between Johnny Mundt and Grant Calcaterra.

Now Calcaterra will be righting for a roster spot. Stowers will be seen significantly in "12" personnel with Dallas Goedert as the TE1. Mundt will still be in that personnel as a blocking tight end, which Stowers has to work on this summer.

Stowers will get his opportunities as a TE2, but is also an understudy to Goedert. He's the future TE1.

Markel Bell (3rd round)

If Bell plays significant regular season snaps at right tackle this year, the Eagles have problems at the position. The Eagles have Lane Johnson as the starter at right tackle and Fred Johnson as the No. 3 tackle -- giving Bell time to develop in inconsistencies in his game.

Bell is essentially having a redshirt year this season. Perhaps if the Eagles have a playoff seed locked in by Week 18, Bell will play some regular season snaps. This year is about development.

Cole Payton (5th round)

Payton is the No. 4 quarterback on the roster, andit's a good assumption the Eagles will keep four quarterbacks if they don't trade Tanner McKee. Payton can learn how to play quarterback in the developmental role the Eagles used for McKee and other quarterbacks over the past 25 years.

What if Payton is used for something else? Payton is a dual-threat quarterback, mostly used in a Taysom Hill role before getting the starting job at North Dakota State. The Eagles could use Payton similar to Hill, especially with his athletic ability outside the pocket to create space and make plays. Payton can be a thrower, H-back, or ball carrier, if the Eagles choose to use him that way.

Micah Morris (6th round)

The Eagles have starting guards in Landon Dickerson and Tyler Steen, but there's an opportunity for Morris to be the No. 3 guard come Week 1.

Position versatility is huge for Morris, as he can play left or right guard. A strong summer could have Morris in line to be the No. 3 guard behind the starters. Morris and Drew Kendall may be the backup guards, as they are in a competition with Hollin Pierce and Willie Lampkin.

Cole Wisniewski (7th round)

Look at the Eagles depth chart at safety. Andrew Mukuba and Marcus Epps are the projected starters, followed by Michael Carter, J.T. Gray, and Brandon Johnson.

Why can't Wisniewski not only make the 53-man roster, but eventually start? Wisniewski is more of a box safety than a ball hawk, but he can make his mark in the NFL that way.

Wisniewski may be better than Marcus Epps come midseason, and has an opportunity to make his mark come training camp. There's a good chance he could start this year.

Uar Bernard (7th round)

Bernard will make the 53-man roster. Besides that, he'll be stashed on the roster learning how to play football. Like Jordan Mailata, Bernard had trouble getting his helmet on in rookie minicamp.

Bernard will learn defensive tackle this year, arguably the deepest position on the Eagles. He's in good shape to succeed down the road.

Keyshawn James-Newby (7th round)

James-Newby has an uphill battle of even making the roster. The Eagles are set at pass rusher with their top four, but James-Newby will be in a battle with Joe Tryon-Shoyinka and Joshua Weru for a roster spot (Tryon-Shoyinka is the favorite for the job).

If James-Newby is on the practice squad, that's a big accomplishment for his rookie season.

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