Ranking 10 options for Eagles in NFL Draft’s second round: Will Howie Roseman draft a WR early?

If finding a reasonable sample of 10 players to rank at No. 23 was challenging enough, then good luck paring a list to 10 at No. 54 overall. The best-case scenario for the Eagles is that some of the strong potential options who weren’t listed among the first-round options slip to Day 2, whether it’s Arizona State offensive tackle Max Iheanachor, Utah’s Caleb Lomu or Toledo safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren. The Eagles could be aggressive trading up in that case, as they did with Cooper DeJean in 2024. There are always players who fall. Look at Nick Emmanwori last season.

As it stands, here’s another list of 10 to consider. The ranking is based on how I’d evaluate the picks for the Eagles — not the likelihood of them falling to the Eagles. Debate in the comments below:

1. Chase Bisontis, guard, Texas A&M

If the Eagles go with a pass catcher or edge rusher in the first round, then Bisontis is the type of Day 2 offensive lineman who should appeal to the Eagles. He’s 6-foot-5 and 315 pounds and played the last two years at left guard after starting his college career at right tackle. He has the right combination of strength and quick feet, and he doesn’t turn 22 until June. One major knock on him is arm length, although that’s less pronounced inside. He’s a good football player, and Eagles fans would appreciate the New Jersey attitude on the field. As mentioned in Monday’s column, guard could become a long-term need for the Eagles. If the Eagles drafted an offensive lineman in Round 1, I’d push him down this list. But if the Eagles went with a pass catcher or edge rusher in Round 1, Bisontis would be a strong outcome in Round 2.

2. Chris Bell, WR, Louisville

Bell tore his ACL in November, taking some of the shine off a prospect who would otherwise push to be in a higher tier in this draft. Watch him against Miami last season. He’s 6-foot-2 and 222 pounds — when you see him on the field, you’ll think A.J. Brown’s body type — and he looked like he could be that type of physical presence before the injury. Bell had 72 catches for 912 yards and six touchdowns in 11 games last season, finishing second in the ACC in yards per game. He makes plays in the open field. It’s hyperbole (and unfair) to suggest that Bell could be an eventual Brown replacement, but he has the playing style that most replicates Brown among the players to consider. The Eagles have shown a willingness to gamble on injured players, although the medical grade is key. If the medical staff clears him, he would top the list of receivers in this range on my list.

3. Gabe Jacas, edge, Illinois

Watch Jacas, and you can see him in Vic Fangio’s defense. Jacas, who is 6-foot-4 and 260 pounds with 33-inch arms, had 11 sacks and three forced fumbles for Illinois last season to follow an eight-sack campaign in 2025 that landed him third-team All-American. The versatility and physicality come through — he was a standout wrestler in high school — and could take on a Jaelan Phillips-like role in the defense. Missouri’s Zion Young is another player to consider.

4. Cashius Howell, edge rusher, Texas A&M

A unanimous All-American who was the SEC defensive player of the year, Howell’s 11 sacks last season are hard to ignore. If he were longer with a different frame (6-3, 253 pounds with 30 1/4-inch arms), he might have more buzz for the Eagles’ earlier pick. In the second round, it’s hard to ignore the sack production and versatility to drop into coverage. The scheme adjustment is less pronounced for Howell, who played in a stand-up role for the Aggies.

5. Germie Bernard, WR, Alabama

Looking for a versatile receiver to pair with DeVonta Smith? The 6-foot-1, 206-pound Bernard led Alabama with 64 catches for 862 yards and seven touchdowns last season. He doesn’t have the same physicality as Bell, but he’s a fluid athlete who can do a bit of everything. He would represent a solid second-round selection. He gets the nod at this spot over other receivers under consideration, such as Clemson’s Antonio Williams, Notre Dame’s Malachi Fields, Ole Miss’ De’Zhaun Stribling and Georgia’s Zachariah Branch. They each could be on this list if the goal wasn’t to find a sampling of players at different positions.

6. Eli Stowers, TE, Vanderbilt

The appeal of Stowers is a standout pass-catching tight end with elite athletic traits (4.51-second 40-yard dash, 45 1/2-inch vertical jump, 135-inch broad jump), but without the blocking bona fides of a complete tight end. If you think that can come with time — or at least work around it — then Stowers is a mismatch at tight end. He was the Mackey Award winner with 62 catches for 729 yards and four touchdowns. Roseman wants the Eagles to have more of a blocking presence in the tight end room, but that might be with the overall depth chart rather than a particular player. Stowers is worth monitoring because of what he does well, rather than focusing on the shortcomings.

7. Chris Johnson, CB, San Diego State

Even if cornerback is not an immediate need after the Riq Woolen signing, the long-term outlook of the third spot with Quinyon Mitchell and DeJean remains a question. Similar to Mitchell, Johnson excelled outside of the top conferences. He was a second-team All-American at San Diego State and has high-level talent with a 6-feet, 193-pound frame and a 4.4-second 40-yard dash. The playmaking ability is notable: Johnson returned two interceptions for touchdowns last season and had four interceptions on the season. He’s also a valuable special teams contributor. I’d still lean toward an offensive player or an edge rusher, depending upon how the first round goes, and address the secondary on Day 3. But the talent is hard to ignore.

8. Dani Dennis-Sutton, edge, Penn State

This could be in a trade down or perhaps even in Round 3, but like the decision to draft Drew Mukuba last year, they could also miss out if they wait too long. Dennis-Sutton offers much of what the Eagles like in an edge rusher — a 6-foot-6, 256-pound frame with a strong athletic profile (4.63-second 40-yard dash, 39 1/2-inch vertical leap and a 131-inch broad jump), plus proven production (17 sacks during the past two seasons) and versatility. It’s an easy resume to get behind, even if this is earlier than expected. He’s a player I like and wouldn’t mind pushing higher on this list.

9. Caleb Tiernan, OT, Northwestern

Similar to Dennis-Sutton, this might be a bit on the high side, but there’s a risk he doesn’t make it to Round 3. Tiernan is 6-foot-8 and 323 pounds with experience in zone schemes. He started 43 games at Northwestern and has played both sides, with the thought that he could play guard in the NFL because of his arm length. He might not have the ceiling of the first-round tackles, although it doesn’t take much projection to see him starting in the NFL.

10. Treydan Stukes, DB, Arizona

A six-year college player, Stukes is on this list because the Eagles have shown interest, and you can’t dismiss a player who could become a starting-caliber safety on Day 2. Stukes is listed as a cornerback in “The Beast “(he’s 6-foot-1, 190 pounds and ran a 4.33-second 40-yard dash), but he also played nickel and safety — and was a standout in those spots. The problem? Stukes turns 25 during his rookie season. He’s already two years older than Drew Mukuba and DeJean. I’d let another team take him in the second round,  but he would be a safety option in Round 2. LSU’s A.J. Haulcy and Miami’s Keionte Scott are other safeties in this range.