Howie Roseman called out for two key moves he made for the Philadelphia Eagles this offseason
The Philadelphia Eagles had an interesting 2026 NFL Draft including a big trade up for Makai Lemon. However, two of Howie Roseman’s picks are being called into question.
The Philadelphia Eagles’ big draft night move to go up and get WR Makai Lemon is largely expected to be the team’s biggest rookie contributor this season for obvious reasons.
Howie Roseman’s eight-man 2026 NFL Draft class has a few players to be excited about, but there are also questions about how some of these players will progress with a team with big-time aspirations.
Howie Roseman questioned for two key NFL draft selections
After getting Lemon with their first pick, the Eagles doubled up on offensive weapons by taking former Vanderbilt tight end standout Eli Stowers. Stowers is an exciting athlete, but there are questions about just how good he can be as a tight end in the NFL, where the game is much more physical.
NFL Draft on SI’s Justin Melo recently raised some concern with Roseman’s second and third picks in the draft.
“Eli Stowers is an elite athlete, but his lack of blocking prowess makes him a one-trick pony. Does third-round offensive tackle Markel Bell, a mammoth man, possess enough foot speed to protect the edges? Roseman may have committed some missteps in this draft,” Melo wrote.
Stowers won’t have to be a starting tight end or elite in his first year with Dallas Goedert still around, but in an ideal world, the rookie will take over for the veteran tight end following the 2026 season. Stowers has a long way to go as a run blocker if he wants to be capable in that area. Eagles’ rookie tight end brings a 6-foot-3, 239-pound frame to the field that may need to eventually add some weight.
On the other hand, Bell’s best route forward with the Eagles would be him proving to be the starting right tackle after Lane Johnson hangs it up. Melo is spot on with his questioning of Bell’s foot speed to allow him to be an NFL tackle. Speed rushers have a habit of giving Bell real issues, and it could end up negating his effectiveness.
In an ideal world, Bell doesn’t have to play for the Eagles much in 2027, and takes it as a redshirt season to take a bigger role going forward.
Roseman has earned the benefit of the doubt as an evaluator and general manager overall. However, this draft class brings real questions after Lemon that’ll have to play out, not indifferent to other draft classes.