The Philadelphia Eagles will enter the new league year as reigning Super Bowl champions, and GM Howie Roseman has hinted that a quieter free agency could be coming as the team looks to strategically piece the roster together for its next run.

This offseason will be more about bringing back key starters — like All-Pro linebacker Zack Baun — than breaking the bank for star players who could become available, like disgruntled Cleveland Browns superstar Myles Garrett.

Philly’s expected approach will only raise the stakes for its upcoming draft class. The Eagles currently hold seven 2025 selections, and if there’s a time for Roseman and Co. to get aggressive this offseason, April’s draft feels like the spot.

Most draft experts predict Philadelphia to add an impact EDGE rusher on Day 1 to help ease the potential void left by Josh Sweat, Brandon Graham and Bryce Huff. Vinnie Iyer of The Sporting News joined the masses in his recent two-round mock draft, sending Boston College stud Donovan Ezeiruaku to the Eagles at No. 32 overall.

More interesting was Iyer’s prediction for Philly’s second-round pick: Bowling Green’s Harold Fannin Jr., who led the nation in both receiving yards (1,555) and receptions (117) for a tight end in 2024, setting FBS records for the position.

Here was Iyer’s take on the potential fit: “Dallas Goedert is in the final season of his contract, and the Eagles should think about getting this dynamic pass-catcher to groom as his replacement.”

The Eagles have some tough decisions looming on Goedert, who’s dealt with countless injuries throughout his seven-year tenure in Philly and played a career-low 10 games during the 2024 regular season due to hamstring and knee issues. Goedert is entering his age 30 season, and the team could look to either sign him to a short-term extension, or designate him as a post-June 1 cut (which spreads his dead money cap charges over two years) to clear some much-needed salary cap space for 2025.

It’s probably too soon to move on from Goedert, as he’s still easily a top-10 player at a position that’s been down across the NFL in recent years. With that said, this is a deep tight end class, with Penn State’s Tyler Warren, Michigan’s Colston Loveland and Fannin Jr. at the top.

Both Warren and Loveland should go off the board in the top 20 picks or so on Day 1, but if the Eagles are looking to add their next stud pass-catching tight end, Fannin is worth a look. His 2024 season was a major leap in production in comparison to his sophomore year,  but there might not be a funner offensive prospect on Day 2 of this draft.

Per the Bleacher Report scouting department: “Overall, Harold Fannin Jr. projects as a highly functioning pass-catching tight end with alignment versatility. Creative offensive play callers are best if you want to maximize his skill set to its fullest potential. He will be able to generate favorable matchups based on his alignment fluidity. In the right offensive system and role, he can be a top-3 receiving option at the next level.”

The big concern with Fannin is his blocking. He’s cut from the same mold as Baltimore Ravens star Isaiah Likely as more of a hybrid tight end / slot receiver. Maybe this is a bit of reach with Goedert still under team control, but there’s a future need there, and Philly’s roster is so solid that a wild-card selection like this would make sense.