Jalen Hurts' Philadelphia Eagles earn No. 2 spot in ESPN's 2026 NFL roster rankings

Jalen Hurts’ Philadelphia Eagles earn No. 2 spot in ESPN’s 2026 NFL roster rankings originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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Only one team finished above the Philadelphia Eagles in ESPN’s first roster rankings for 2026. The Eagles remain among the league’s strongest contenders entering the new season.

Why ESPN ranked the Philadelphia Eagles No. 2 entering the 2026 NFL season

ESPN placed the Philadelphia Eagles second in its 2026 NFL roster rankings because they remain one of the league’s most complete teams. While the defense has plenty of talent, the report says the offensive tackle pairing stands above every other position group on the roster.

Left tackle Jordan Mailata and right tackle Lane Johnson are the biggest reasons behind that view. Mailata has finished no lower than sixth among NFL tackles in Pro Football Focus grades over the past three seasons. Johnson is now 36, but he still ranks well in pass protection and run blocking when healthy.

The report found one clear concern on the roster. Safety lost experience after Reed Blankenship left for Houston. That leaves second-year player Andrew Mukuba and Marcus Epps in larger roles. Cooper DeJean can also play safety, though his work as the team’s main slot corner limits that option.

ESPN also pointed to cornerback Riq Woolen as a player who could shape the Eagles’ season. Advanced tracking numbers show he has allowed very few yards in coverage over the past four years. Even so, his career has lacked steady results after losing his starting job for part of last season in Seattle.

Wide receiver Hollywood Brown was named the top backup to watch. He caught 49 passes for 587 yards and five touchdowns with Kansas City in 2025. Brown may not start, but ESPN expects him to have a regular role in Philadelphia’s passing attack this season.

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