The NFL Scouting Combine is more than just a series of drills in Indianapolis; it's the first major job interview for hundreds of young athletes, and for teams like the Philadelphia Eagles, it's a critical piece of the offseason puzzle. As the 2026 Combine kicks off today, February 26, the Eagles' scouting department has a clear directive. According to a Delaware News Journal analysis, the focus is squarely on the defensive front seven, with specific prospects at defensive line and linebacker drawing significant attention from the team's evaluators.
This targeted approach is no accident. The Eagles, perennially in a competitive window, are a team built from the trenches outward. General Manager Howie Roseman has consistently invested premium resources in the defensive line, viewing it as the engine of the defense. Meanwhile, the linebacker position, often a point of debate in Philadelphia, remains an area where dynamic, three-down talent can elevate the entire unit. The Combine provides a unique, standardized environment to assess the raw athletic tools of players who have already shown promise on tape. For the Eagles, it's about confirming traits, identifying potential fits, and perhaps discovering a diamond in the rough.
With that in mind, here are five specific prospects that Eagles fans should keep a close watch on during today's Combine drills, as the team's scouts are reportedly doing the same.
1. DE/LB Cyrus Vance, Alabama
The modern NFL edge defender must be a hybrid, and Cyrus Vance embodies that evolution. Listed as a defensive end-linebacker, Vance terrorized SEC tackles with a blend of explosive first-step quickness and surprising bend. At Alabama, he was used in multiple alignments, from a hand-in-the-dirt defensive end to a stand-up outside linebacker in nickel packages. For the Eagles, that versatility is incredibly appealing.
What to Watch at the Combine: All eyes will be on Vance's testing numbers. His 40-yard dash time will be crucial to gauge his pure burst. However, the more important drills for his evaluation will be the 3-cone drill and the short shuttle. These measure change-of-direction ability and agility--key traits for a player expected to bend the edge and drop into coverage. A strong showing in the positional drills, demonstrating fluidity in space, will solidify his status as a first-round target for a team like Philadelphia looking for a chess piece on the edge.
2. DT Malachi "Mack" Jones, Georgia
If the Eagles have a type at defensive tackle, it's the powerful, disruptive interior force who can collapse the pocket. From Fletcher Cox to Jordan Davis, the prototype is clear. Malachi "Mack" Jones from Georgia fits the mold. A mountain of a man in the heart of the Bulldogs' defense, Jones commands double teams with his raw strength and has shown a developing array of pass-rush moves.
What to Watch at the Combine: For a player of Jones's size, the bench press is a formality--expect an impressive number. The real tests will be his 10-yard split in the 40-yard dash and his broad jump. The 10-yard split measures explosive power off the line, essential for an interior lineman. The broad jump is another indicator of lower-body explosion. Scouts will also be watching his agility drills closely. Can he show enough lateral quickness to suggest he can be more than a two-down run stuffer? If he tests well, he could be a perfect heir apparent in the Eagles' defensive tackle rotation.
3. LB Darius King, Clemson
The linebacker conversation in Philadelphia often centers on coverage ability. In a pass-happy league, the middle of the field must be protected. Darius King from Clemson has built his reputation on exactly that. A sideline-to-sideline player with excellent instincts in zone coverage, King was often tasked with matching up with athletic tight ends and running backs in the ACC. He reads quarterbacks' eyes well and has a knack for being around the ball.
What to Watch at the Combine: King's film shows a smart, fluid player. The Combine will test his raw athleticism to see if it matches the tape. His 40-time is important, but his performance in the on-field linebacker drills will be paramount. How does he look in backpedal and transition drills? Is his movement smooth and natural? The Eagles need a linebacker who can erase mismatches in the passing game, and King's Combine performance will either confirm his elite coverage potential or raise questions about his athletic ceiling.
4. EDGE Roderick "Rod" Flynn, Penn State
Staying local, Penn State's Roderick Flynn is a prospect whose stock could soar with a strong Combine. A productive pass-rusher in the Big Ten, Flynn possesses a long, lean frame with room to add more weight. He wins with a relentless motor, advanced hand usage for a college player, and a non-stop effort that leads to cleanup sacks and pressures.
What to Watch at the Combine: Flynn's measurements will be the first point of interest. Does he have the arm length and wingspan that NFL teams covet on the edge? Then, his testing. He may not post a top-five 40 time, but his 3-cone and shuttle times will indicate his ability to corner tightly and change direction in pursuit. The Eagles value high-motor players who test well in agility drills (see: Haason Reddick). If Flynn shows better-than-expected burst and agility, he could move from a Day 2 prospect into serious first-round consideration for a team that prizes his style of play.
5. DT/LB Hybrid - Felix Ortega, Utah
The true wild card of the group, Felix Ortega from Utah, is listed as a defensive tackle/linebacker hybrid--a rare and intriguing designation. At Utah, he was used as an off-ball linebacker on early downs who would slide down to a 3-technique defensive tackle in obvious pass-rushing situations. This unique skill set makes him a fascinating puzzle for NFL defensive coordinators.
What to Watch at the Combine: Ortega's Combine will be one of the most fascinating to watch. He will likely participate in drills with both the defensive linemen and the linebackers. His 40-time for a potential linebacker? His bench press for a potential defensive tackle? His performance will be all about context. Can he test like a linebacker at his size? Or does he test like a light, quick defensive tackle? For the Eagles, who love versatile players who can create schematic advantages, Ortega's ability to hold his own in both groups' drills could make him a prime target in the middle rounds as a specialized weapon.
The Bigger Picture for Philadelphia
While these five names are reportedly on the Eagles' radar today, the Combine is about the full picture. Formal interviews with prospects are just as important as the 40-yard dash times. The Eagles' brass will be digging into the football IQ, character, and fit of dozens of players. A standout performance in drills can put a player on the map, but a poor interview can take him right off a team's board.
For Eagles fans watching from home, the Combine is the official start of draft season. It's a chance to put athletic profiles to the names you'll hear for the next two months. The needs are clear: injecting young, dynamic talent into the front seven. Whether it's the explosive edge presence of a Cyrus Vance, the interior anchor of a Mack Jones, or the coverage savvy of a Darius King, the players highlighted today represent the kind of defensive reinforcements that could help the Eagles maintain their championship aspirations. Keep these names in your notes; one of them might just be hearing his name called by the Philadelphia Eagles when the 2026 NFL Draft arrives.