The Philadelphia Eagles didn't just close out the 2026 NFL Draft. They made a statement about their view of roster building.
After a weekend that leaned heavily toward offensive firepower early, general manager Howie Roseman used the final round to double down on traits. Potential and long-term development in the trenches are also obviously part of the plan. The choices? Two relatively unknown defensive linemen who may require patience but offer intriguing upside.
Uar Bernard is the kind of prospect that stops you in your tracks before you even turn on the film. The Eagles grabbed him with the 251st selection .
At 6-foot-4 and over 300 pounds with rare athletic testing numbers, he represents a classic swing on raw ability. His background through the International Pathway Program, where the Eagles found Jordan Mailata , only adds to the mystery. And, yes, he's very familiar with Philadelphia's star left tackle.
There's limited football experience here, but also a ceiling that's difficult to quantify. And, did we mention athleticism? He ran a 4.66-second 40-yard dash. He showcased a 39-inch vertical jump and a 10-foot, 10-inch broad jump. And even though he tips the scales at 306 pounds, he has only 6% body fat.
Then there's Keyshawn James-Newby, formerly of the New Mexico Lobos. He consistently found his way into the backfield, showing an ability to disrupt plays and finish with sacks. While he may not carry the same eye-popping measurables, he offers something just as valuable, production that is already on tape.
Eagles DL coach Clint Hurtt will be tasked with developing both. Together, the selections tell a larger story. Philadelphia isn't just filling out the back end of the roster. They're investing in their developmental pipeline, trusting their coaching staff to mold traits into production.
It's a strategy that has paid off before, particularly along the defensive line where rotation and depth are critical. Seventh-round picks rarely come with guarantees, but they do come with opportunity. One needn't look any further than Jordan Mailata.
This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: Eagles close impressive NFL draft with two upside-driven selections
