As usual, the Philadelphia Eagles have been busy on NFL Draft weekend and we’re still only in the third round. With the Eagles’ third selection of this 2026 draft, they took University of Miami tackle Markel Bell.
Bell is a massive individual, measuring 6′ 9 1/4″and 346 lbs. He is the offensive line. My big concern is that Bell is a project (aka reach) and he’s not going to get the tutelage of recently departed offensive line coach, Jeff Stoutland. Stout was considered by many to be the best in the business and I scratched my head when he left, and I scratch my head now. Bell is exactly the kind of guy you draft knowing Stoutland U. will coach him up. Ask Jordan Mailata.
Bell is considered a bit of a project, but so are most players taken in the third round and below. If any guy was supremely talented and NFL ready, he’d be a first-round pick unless he missed the last two seasons with a torn ACL or something. Still, the Eagles needed to grab offensive linemen in this draft and they got started in the third with Bell.
The Eagles traded up in the first round to select USC wide receiver Makai Lemon, took Vanderbilt tight end Elie Stowers with the 54th pick and also traded a third and future third to the Minnesota Vikings to get edge rusher Jonathan Greenard.
BGN writer doesn’t think highly of Philadelphia Eagles drafting Markel Bell this high
Jonny Page of Bleeding Green Nation either did a lot of personal college scouting this year or he has a really good YouTube subscription. Or both. Either way, he’s obviously done more research than I have.
Page had Bell ranked as the No. 19 offensive linemen and a potential Day 3 pick who is just too raw to come in and contribute right away.
See: my Jeff Stoutland comment.
“Overall: A massive, long tackle whose exceptional frame and raw traits give him clear developmental value,” Page writes. “He is a significant distance from contributing meaningfully to an NFL team right now, and his height may actually work against him in some situations.
“Eagles Thoughts: If Bell falls to Day 3, I wouldn’t mind investing in him as a long-term project. He’s too raw and too far away to justify a Day 2 pick. He might genuinely just be too tall, but as a developmental swing tackle with a huge frame, he has some intrigue late.”
Welp, how does the third round sound?
NFL.com analyst looks at Philadelphia Eagles draft pick Markel Bell
Lance Zierlein of NFL.com always does a thorough job with his draft profiles. The fact that Lance thinks that edge rushers could be a problem for him because of his height…
Is. Not. Good.
“Mountainous tackle with rare physical attributes that work both in his favor and against him depending on the situation,” Zierlein writes. “There is no escaping a high center of gravity, which will impact his ability to change direction in protection and create consistent engagement as a run blocker. Bell must play in a gap-scheme attack to minimize his limitations. He has exceptional length that he puts to good use in finding static pass rushers and offering shade to the pocket.
“NFL edge speed and sudden inside moves could be an evergreen issue for Bell, but with coaching he could learn to mitigate those issues with his length. He has Day 3 value but might have a firm ceiling on his upside.”
Here’s his upside-downside overview:
Strengths
Unique size and a massive wingspan.
Made noticeable strides from 2024 to 2025.
Uproots and moves 3-techniques when running feet on double teams.
Uses mass to cover and obstruct on base blocks.
Does a nice job of maintaining length advantage with his timing.
Collects and controls rush with a strong grip.
Rare for rushers to crowd into his frame.Weaknesses
Speedy edge benders will be tough for him to match at the turn.
Needs a firmer, more proactive punch instead of catching in pass pro.
Struggles to properly mirror inside moves and spin counters.
High center of gravity creates a constant leverage disadvantage.
Lurches past his base, creating imbalance as a run blocker.
Lacks fluidity and first-step quickness to hit second-level landmarks.
Below-average agility and timing climbing off combos to the second block.
Philadelphia Eagles Will Miss Jeff Stoutland with Markel Bell Pick