When Adam Schefter broke the news that an AJ Brown trade was “tracking to happen” after June 1, it changed everything for the Philadelphia Eagles.
Suddenly, the questions around why Howie Roseman traded for Dontayvion Wicks were seemingly answered, and the prospect of leaving the 2026 NFL Draft with at least one elite wide receiver prospect has become all the more important for a team that might be without their long-time WR1 in Week 1.
Appearing on ESPN’s NFL Draft Daily to weigh in on the report, Mel Kiper Jr. was asked how the Eagles should attack their first-round pick in 2026 knowing that a Brown deal would likely result in compensation in 2027 due to his cap hit. Fresh off his final mock draft of 2026 – which has been amended after the Dexter Lawrence trade – Kiper gave Philly fans two names to watch at 23, one in the trenches and one at wide receiver.
“Howie Roseman, he likes to go in the trenches, you know, edge rusher, O-line, get a young offensive lineman, athletic. Remember, they’re changing their offensive blocking scheme now, and that would be a Blake Miller, maybe from Clemson at that particular point,” Kiper said.
“Now, you think about wide receiver, who’s the big receiver? Denzel Boston out of Washington. Great catch radius and catches the football on a regular basis, and a nuanced route runner. You talk about Blake Miller at right tackle, accountability, hey, availability, experience, durable, right tackle, who’s very athletic. He looks the part with his length and the way he played on a consistent basis. He kind of grew on people as the year went along.
“I’m saying this guy just is really solid as a rock at that right tackle spot, and as I said, brings that athleticism and that length to that position in the NFL. So, Blake Miller has been a guy that I think is safe through the process, consistent, and a guy that is a guy who’s clean and makes sense in that area of the latter portion of round one.”
Now Kiper’s suggestion of Miller at 23 should be no surprise to fans of his work, as that was also the pick in his final mock draft due to the Clemson product being a “perfect fit” after playing extensive snaps at Clemson at right tackle. But the idea of Boston landing in Philadelphia is one to watch as the draft gets closer, even if his own rise could place him outside of the Eagles’ draft range should he instead land with the Los Angeles Chargers, or with the draft-hosting Pittsburgh Steelers.
What should Howie Roseman and the Eagles do on draft day?
The NFL Draft Daily crew discuss Philadelphia’s possibilities pic.twitter.com/II8nZzPmzX
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) April 20, 2026
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