NFL Draft: Eagles keeping tabs on standout PSU defensive tackle

Eagles fans know the deal by now, if there’s one thing Howie Roseman is going to do every single draft cycle, it’s invest in the trenches. And based on the early buzz coming out of Indianapolis this week, it sounds like the Eagles may already have their eyes on a potential Day 3 defensive tackle who fits their mold perfectly.

Penn State defensive tackle Zane Durant confirmed at the NFL Combine that the Eagles are one of several teams who’ve shown consistent interest in him throughout the pre-draft process. That interest isn’t just surface-level either. Philadelphia has already met with Durant multiple times — once at the Senior Bowl and again this week in Indy — which is usually a pretty good indicator that a prospect is firmly on their radar.

Eagles Showing Real Interest in Zane Durant at the Combine

Penn State DT Zane Durant on what #Eagles DT Jalen Carter means to him and what he’s learned from Eagles DL coach Clint Hurtt at the Senior Bowl pic.twitter.com/RXqzjFtKPT

— Symone (@Symone_Stanley) February 25, 2026

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Durant isn’t currently projected as a first- or second-round guy. In fact, ESPN ranks him as the No. 18 defensive tackle in the class and the No. 140 overall prospect, which would put him squarely in the Eagles’ Day 3 range — an area where Roseman has quietly done some of his best work over the years.

And from a roster-building standpoint, the fit makes sense.

The Eagles have their cornerstone pieces in place along the interior defensive line with Jalen Carter and Jordan Davis. Moro Ojomo has flashed in spurts as well. But beyond that, there are still questions. Ty Robinson — the team’s fourth-round pick in 2025 — didn’t exactly make a strong impression as a rookie, leaving the door open for Philadelphia to bring in more competition and developmental depth this offseason.

>> Read More: Texas Tech product urges Eagles to draft him

Enter Durant.

While his 2025 production dipped a bit (4.5 tackles for loss after posting 11 in 2024), he turned heads at the Senior Bowl with the exact traits the Eagles tend to prioritize along the defensive front — explosiveness, twitch, and the ability to penetrate gaps quickly.

At 6-foot, 290 pounds, Durant is considered a bit undersized for a traditional NFL defensive tackle. But what he lacks in size, he makes up for with a quick first step and disruptive play style that could translate well as a rotational interior piece at the next level.

It also doesn’t hurt that Eagles defensive line coach Clint Hurtt got an extended look at Durant during Senior Bowl practices, where Hurtt served as one of the event’s head coaches. Durant noted that the two met frequently during the week in Mobile before reconnecting for another informal meeting at the Combine.

If you’re looking for breadcrumbs, that’s usually one worth following.

There’s even a little built-in familiarity here — Durant and Jalen Carter both hail from the Orlando area and played against each other in youth football, making a potential reunion in Philadelphia a full-circle moment if the Eagles decide to pull the trigger on Day 3.

With four selections currently in that range, the Eagles will have multiple opportunities to take a swing on a high-upside interior disruptor. And given Roseman’s track record of stacking the defensive line whenever possible, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Durant’s name circled on their board heading into draft weekend.

Because if there’s one thing the Eagles believe in, it’s this: you can never have too many bodies up front.