WASHINGTON — An operations center targeted by an Iranian drone strike that killed six American soldiers on Sunday was located in the heart of a civilian port in Kuwait, miles away from the main Army base, according to satellite images and a U.S. official.
The husband of one of the slain soldiers, who was part of a supply and logistics unit based in Iowa, told the Associated Press on Tuesday that the hub was a shipping container-style building and had no defenses.
The development, reported earlier by CNN and CBS News, raises questions about the safety precautions that the U.S. military had in place as it, along with Israel, launched an attack on Iran, which has responded with retaliatory strikes against several countries in the region, including Kuwait. President Donald Trump and top defense leaders say more American casualties are likely.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Monday that the six soldiers were killed in a “tactical operations center” when a projectile made its way past air defenses. A day later, the Pentagon confirmed it was a drone strike in Port Shuaiba when announcing the names of four of the soldiers who were slain.
A satellite image taken Monday and reviewed by the AP showed the main building in the complex destroyed, with a trail of black smoke rising from it. It is located in the heart of Port Shuaiba, a working seaport and industrial area just south of Kuwait City. The U.S. official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss a matter under active investigation, confirmed the image depicted the location of Sunday’s attack.
The Army base, Camp Arifjan, is more than 10 miles to the south. The operations center was just a little over a mile from some of the piers where merchant ships would offload cargo containers and was surrounded by oil storage tanks, refineries, and a power plant.
Joey Amor, husband of Sgt. 1st Class Nicole Amor, said his wife had been moved off-base to what he described as a shipping container-style building a week before the Iranian strike. The 39-year-old from White Bear Lake, Minn., was one of the soldiers killed in the attack.
“They were dispersing because they were in fear that the base they were on was going to get attacked, and they felt it was safer in smaller groups in separated places,” he said.
After news reports about the operations center emerged, chief Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell said on social media that the “secure facility was fortified with 6-foot walls.” He said the military has “the most extensive Air Defense umbrella in the world over the Middle East right now and control of the skies is increasing with every wave of airpower.”
Parnell’s office did not respond to questions about what role the walls would have played in defending against a drone attack or what air defenses were present in range of the command center at the port.
Capt. Tim Hawkins, a spokesperson for U.S. Central Command, said “it would be inappropriate to comment given the incident is under investigation.”
Gov. Shapiro has sought to build a profile as a pragmatic, business-friendly leader who can “get s— done.” He has also proven adept at raising campaign cash from people who have business interests before state government.
By the numbers: Nearly 240 executives gave almost $8.6 million to Shapiro’s reelection campaign last year, including 27 who gave $100,000 or more.
Industry ties: CEOs in industries ranging from coal mining to gambling to real estate are among those helping to bankroll the campaign. Many donors are based outside Pennsylvania, including the head of a Baltimore company seeking to restart a nuclear reactor near Harrisburg, and the Florida data center developer eyeing locations in the state.
Eyeing 2028: Shapiro’s fundraising could invite scrutiny if he makes a run for the White House, particularly among voters dismayed by the role of money in politics.
Mall executives are counting on legacy brands to inspire consumers’ love of IRL shopping.
Consider Coach, the 85-year-old high-end retailer that has found renewed popularity among Gen Z and millennials. Younger fans say they like that it’s more affordable than other luxury brands, and that it lets them lean into the “Y2K, late-’90s, early-’90s nostalgia” fueled by social media.
Coach’s new shop in the Cherry Hill Mall is seen by the shopping destination’s leaders as one sign of its success — especially as other area malls close.
The Trump administration has given shifting rationales for its decision to attack Iran, from regime change to eliminating its nuclear program. Plus, oil prices surged after the U.S.-Israel strikes, and the impacts have already started to trickle down to gas stations.
Commerce Secretary and Haverford College mega-donor Howard Lutnick will testify before the House Oversight Committee as part of its investigation into Jeffrey Epstein.
A former Burlington County mayor pleaded guilty to driving under the influence and child endangerment after an incident last March that prompted calls for her resignation. And a Montgomery County school bus driver was charged with driving under the influence and related crimes after she drove children while intoxicated, officials said.
A federal jury in Philadelphia awarded $1.67 million to the sons of a diabetic man who died in a city jail in 2023.
Philly school officials want to close Harding Middle School in Frankford and replace it with a K-8. Teachers worry programs will be lost.
Philadelphia launched a high-stakes charm campaign to lure the 2028 Democratic National Convention. With the city now a host finalist, what comes next is a public relations effort and fundraising push.
Quote of the day
Burpee, the Philly-born seed seller, celebrates 150 years in business alongside the country’s Semiquincentennial. It’s thriving again after past periods of financial trouble.
🧠Trivia time
Former Phillies pitcher Phillippe Aumont left professional baseball in 2020, but the 37-year-old is returning with Team Canada — and he’ll face his old team today. What has he been up to the past few years?
🏒 Hockey fans: What is the Flyers’ plan for the NHL trade deadline? You can ask that question and more during a Reddit AMA with The Inquirer’s Jackie Spiegel today at 2 p.m. EST in the r/Flyers subreddit.
Cheers to Byron Peebles, who solved Tuesday’s anagram: Christiana. Delaware’s only Nordstrom, in the Christiana Mall, is closing. But the luxury retailer is opening more Nordstrom Rack locations, including in Deptford, Exton, Marlton, and Media.
Photo of the day
The Benjamin Franklin National Memorial at the Franklin Institute.
🏛️ One last affordable thing: The Franklin Institute and five other cultural institutions will continue to offer $2 tickets for low-income patrons, thanks to $7.6 million in grants from the William Penn Foundation.
Go look at something beautiful today. See you back here tomorrow
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A Tredyffrin office complex is being converted into housing, bucking a suburban trend. Here’s why. Also, East Whiteland Township’s meeting about a proposed data center was postponed after too many people showed up, the county’s CEO left the job Mondayand has been replaced, plus a West Goshen business could face fines after polluting a local waterway.
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The office complex at 435 Devon Park Dr. in Tredyffrin Township is being converted into housing.
An eight-building office complex at 435 Devon Park Dr. in Tredyffrin Township is on its way to becoming housing, making it one of the only suburban office-to-housing conversions underway in the region. Zoning issues, demands on school districts, and economic feasibility often make these types of conversions difficult and costly.
Built in the 1980s, the complex is able to be more easily converted than many of its larger counterparts thanks to its layout and the fact that it already has operable windows.
Once complete, the former office buildings will have 162apartments, largely studios and one-bedrooms, breathing new life into the complex.
Chester County Library in Extonlaunched a new service this weekallowing residents to apply for a U.S. passport. The appointment-only offeringis for first-time passport applicants, applicants whose previous passport was issued before they turned 16, or applicants whose passport was lost, stolen, damaged, or issued over 15 years ago. Learn more about the program here.
💡 Community News
Over the weekend, a “milky white” substance and dead fish were spotted in Goose Creek in West Chester, prompting municipal and state officials to investigate. The leak in West Goshen Township was plugged after the substance was traced back to Atmos Technologies, a company with a location at 216 Garfield Ave. Drinking water wasn’t affected, but Aqua Pennsylvania will continue to monitor the area downstream. Atmos faces potential fines.
East Whiteland Township’s planning commission has rescheduled last week’s meeting about a proposed data center at a former Superfund site after there were more attendees than the room’s 98-person capacity could hold. The commissionis set to consider an amended application that calls for increasing the size of the two proposed data center buildings by roughly 61% from what was previously approved. The meeting at a larger venue is tentatively set for Monday.
An NBC10 Philadelphia investigation found that Honey Brook Constable David Jones Sr. is among two area law enforcement officers to have signed a 287(g) agreement, which authorizes agencies to carry out immigration enforcement. Jones told the network that he hasn’t heard from ICE since entering into the agreement in October.
The West Sadsbury Township zoning board will meet tomorrow at 6 p.m. to consider a proposal for a new storage facility at 5787 W. Lincoln Highway in Parkesburg.
There’s a town hall meeting tomorrow night at 7 p.m. at the Tredyffrin Township building to discuss the Pennsylvania Turnpike Milepost 320-324 construction project. The project calls for reconstructing four miles of the turnpike and widening the section from four lanes in each direction to six lanes.
Malvern Borough is hosting a public workshop on Monday at 7 p.m. for its Zoning, Subdivision, and Land Development Task Force as it considers amendments to its zoning ordinance and map.
Heads up for drivers: In Upper Uwchlan Township, Styer Road between Meadow Creek Lane and Morning Light Road will close Monday and isn’t expected to reopen for three or four weeks while crews work on the underside of the Pennsylvania Turnpike Overpass. U.S. 30 westbound between Lincoln Highway and the ramp onto Airport Road, an area that spanning Sadsbury and Valley Townships, will have a lane closure from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. today through Friday as crews make repairs. In East Pikeland Township, Spring City Road is closed between Township Line Road and Wall Street as crews work to replace the bridge there. The project is expected to last 12 to 18 months. Expect delays between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. on East Swedesford Road near the intersection of Church Farm Lane in West Whiteland Township for the next two weeks, while roadwork takes place.
Pennsylvania American Water is expected to replace water mains in Parkesburg Borough through April 3. Customers may experience no water, low water pressure, or discolored water while work takes place. Learn more about the project here.
Peco will begin updating the underground electrical feed in Kennett Township early this month, impacting Davenport and Cedar Croft Roads, as well as Donny Lane.The electrical system upgrade work is scheduled to be completed by June.
Residents will gather this weekend in Coatesville to commemorate the 61st anniversary of the Selma to Montgomery March, during which civil rights activists faced police attacks. The Together We Stand Project will host a march on Saturday at 9 a.m., with participants gathering at Gateway Park then walking along Route 30 from 1st Avenue to 5th Avenue. “This march is not just about remembering history — it’s about inspiring our community to take action and embrace their civic responsibility,” event organizer Linda Lavender Norris said.
A former employee at the Devereux behavioral health campus in West Whiteland Township has been convicted for soliciting sexual acts from a 14-year-old resident at the site. Shakur Austin, 28, of Philadelphia, will be sentenced at a later date.
🏫 Schools Briefing
Great Valley School District’s school board last week approved students’ request to start a “Club America” chapter at Great Valley High School. The chapter, affiliated with the national Turning Point USA organization, will “discuss the principles of freedom, free markets, and limited government” and “give representation to conservative and Christian voices,” according to club leaders. A student and a community member spoke against the club’s formation, describing Turning Point as divisive, The Inquirer’s Maddie Hanna reports.
Registration is now open for Owen J. Roberts School District’s more than 40 summer enrichment camp programs.
Tredyffrin/Easttown School District is hosting a workshop for its 2026-27 budget on Monday at Conestoga High School following the Finance Committee meeting, which starts at 7 p.m.
Registration for new TESD students entering kindergarten and first grade next school year is now open. Learn more here.
Unionville High School’s robotics team took home first place in the United States Governors Cup’s FIRST Tech Challenge, held in Washington, D.C., last month. The Silver Wolves were the only Pennsylvania team to compete in the inaugural event.
🍽️ On our Plate
Two new eateries recently opened in West Chester. Cousin’s Burger opened last week at 211 E. Market St., taking over the former Miss Winnie’s space. The new spot, which has several other area locations, serves smash burgers, chicken sandwiches, loaded fries, wings, and chicken tenders. And West Chester Chicken, located at 34 S. High St., is also now open and dishing up fried and grilled chicken, sandwiches, boardwalk fries, and water ice.
🎳 Things to Do
🏀 Harlem Wizards: The traveling professional basketball team known for its entertaining hoops skills is coming to town. ⏰ Friday, March 6, 6:30-8:30 p.m. 💵 $21.99-$76.99 📍West Chester East High School
🩰 Spotlight Performance and Fundraiser: See performances from the Brandywine Contemporary and Brandywine Ballet companies, including a preview of the upcoming production of ThePhantom of the Opera. ⏰ Friday, March 6, 7:15 p.m. 💵 $56-$106 📍Uptown! Knauer Performing Arts Center, West Chester
🍁 Maple Syrup at Springton Manor Farm: Learn how to tap a maple tree and then boil the contents for syrup during one of three 45-minute sessions. Registration is required. ⏰ Sunday, March 8, noon-2:45 p.m. 💵 Free 📍Springton Manor Farm
☘️ Solas’ 30th Anniversary Tour: The Celtic ensemble blends traditional Irish music with Americana, bluegrass, and folk elements. ⏰ Sunday, March 8, 7:30 p.m. 💵 $41.78-$88.87 📍The Colonial Theatre, Phoenixville
The home spans 3,800 square feet and has a greenhouse.
This brick Malvern home is classic Main Line, with a twist. It has an attached greenhouse equipped with running water, drainage, and a heating system. Inside, the first floor features hardwood floors, a living room with a fireplace, a dining room, an eat-in kitchen with granite countertops and two ovens, a bedroom with a gas fireplace, and a full bathroom. There are several bedrooms upstairs, including the primary suite, as well as a family room with skylights. Downstairs, there’s a temperature-controlled wine cellar in the walk-out basement, along with another bedroom and full bathroom. Out back, the home has an in-ground pool, a deck, and a large yard. There’s an open house Saturday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
By submitting your written, visual, and/or audio contributions, you agree to The Inquirer’s Terms of Use, including the grant of rights in Section 10.
This suburban content is produced with support from the Leslie Miller and Richard Worley Foundation and The Lenfest Institute for Journalism. Editorial content is created independently of the project donors. Gifts to support The Inquirer’s high-impact journalism can be made at inquirer.com/donate. A list of Lenfest Institute donors can be found at lenfestinstitute.org/supporters.
Chefs Nana Araba Wilmot (left) and Laurence Louie compete on season 23 of “Top Chef,” which premieres on Monday.
Locals tuning into the season premiere of Top Chef Season 23 on Monday might spot a familiar face. Cherry Hill native Nana Araba Wilmot is competing on the popular Bravo show, where she’ll showcase her culinary skills and her Ghanaian heritage.
An East grad, Wilmot was raised in Cherry Hill, and today is the owner of Georgina’s Private Chef and Catering Co. and traveling supper club Love That I Knead.
Wilmot began cooking at the age of 7, learning the time-tested recipes and traditions of Ghana from her grandmother.
The developer who got the Plaza Grande 55-and-over apartment complex to the finish line has put the project on the market. Several developers had tried, but failed to complete the final piece of the $1 billion redevelopment of the former Garden State Park horse racing track. Developer William “Billy” Procida said he put “so much blood, sweat, and tears” into developing Plaza Grande, but added it’s time to sell, The Inquirer’s Michaelle Bond reports.
Typical home values in all three of Cherry Hill’s zip codes rose between January 2025 and this January, according to new data from Zillow. The 08003 zip code still has the highest home value, which averaged $549,594 as of this January, up 5.14% over the prior year. Residents in the 08034 zip code typically saw their home value increase 5.8% to $436,173, while the typical home value in the 08002 zip code rose 4.93% to $418,359. (NJ.com)
Last month, Mayor David Fleisher and Camden County Commissioner Jennifer Cooley Fleisher, who are married, gave proclamations to East senior Siana Armando for helping a coworker experiencing a medical emergency, including a seizure, during a shift at Nothing Bundt Cakes in the Barclay Farms Shopping Center. Armando said she had personal experience in similar situations and was able to help her coworker while waiting for emergency responders to arrive.
A rabid skunk attacked two dogs in the backyard of a Cherry Hill home recently. The dogs are being confined and under observation for the next four months. (NBC Philadelphia)
🏫 Schools Briefing
Two of the district’s basketball teams are continuing their post-season runs. The top-seeded East boys’ basketball team defeated the No. 4 seeded Atlantic City High School at home yesterday61-51, booking a spot in the Group 4 final. The Cougars will have home court advantage for the Friday game. Follow the results here and see the full group bracket here. And the West girls’ basketball team, top-seeded in Group 3, takes on Hammonton High School today after defeating Clearview Regional High School on Monday. Tip-off is at 4 p.m. at home. Follow the results here and see the full bracket here.
Seven Cherry Hill wrestlers are advancing to regional tournaments after successful outings in the NJSIAA District 28 wrestling tournament last weekend. Gabe Jones, Praise Okereafor, Clayton Tyson, Caden Rossi, Aiden Sanchez, and Jakob Ubarry, all of West, and Dominic Canzano of East are all competing. (Courier Post)
It was the end of the road for a couple of the district’s post-season runs. After making it to the Group A final, East girls’ swimming fell 102.5-67.5 to Bridgewater-Raritan Regional High School last Wednesday. And East girls’ basketball defeated Atlantic City High School in its Group 4 first-round matchup before falling to Howell High School in the quarterfinals 55-41.
The school district has a board of education meeting on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. See the full calendar here.
SACC summer camp registration opens today at 4 p.m. There are two-, three-, and four-day programs available Monday through Thursday from June 29 through Aug. 13 for township residents entering first through fifth grade.
🍽️ On our Plate
The Kibitz Room’s gross revenue fell by about 12% last year, according to a recent bankruptcy court filing. The popular deli reported $2.2 million last year, down about $300,000 from the year prior. It’s unclear if a decline in revenue is a reason for the business’ abrupt closure earlier this year. The Kibitz Room has filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy protection, with a court date scheduled for early May. Former owner Brandon Parish has said he hopes to reopen the deli, which was being run by his mother, Sandy Parish. (Courier Post)
Looking for great dim sum? Nan Xiang Xiao Long Bao is one of the best spots in the region, according to The Infatuation, which suggests ordering the “Lucky 6” at the Towne Place at Garden State Park spot. The colorful assortment includes six dumplings filled with things like black truffle, chicken, and scallops.
🎳 Things to Do
🤵 Project Prom: Teens or their parents can browse and take home a gently used formalwear outfit for the next big dance. ⏰ Wednesday, March 4, 4-8:30 p.m. 💵 Free 📍Cherry Hill Public Library
👹 Monster-Mania Con: Horror fans won’t want to miss this three-day event, where you can see stars from frightening films. ⏰ Friday, March 6-Sunday, March 8, times vary 💵 $41.74-$72.49 📍DoubleTree by Hilton Cherry Hill Philadelphia
🦜 Birds in Trees and Flowers and Bees Artist Reception: See the works of photography duo Wendy and Bruce Rubin, who have been together for almost 40 years, and turned their lenses toward birds and other wildlife. ⏰ Saturday, March 7, 1:30-3:30 p.m. 💵 Free 📍Cherry Hill Public Library
The stucco-fronted home spans over 3,000 square feet.
Located in the Olde Springs neighborhood, this home features a living room, a dining room, and an open-concept family room and kitchen. The family room has a gas fireplace, vaulted ceilings, and a skylight, while the kitchen has two spots for eating, as well as a dedicated pantry. There are four bedrooms upstairs, including the primary suite that has a walk-in closet, a tub, and a large vanity. The finished basement has a full bathroom and what could be a fifth bedroom.
By submitting your written, visual, and/or audio contributions, you agree to The Inquirer’s Terms of Use, including the grant of rights in Section 10.
This suburban content is produced with support from the Leslie Miller and Richard Worley Foundation and The Lenfest Institute for Journalism. Editorial content is created independently of the project donors. Gifts to support The Inquirer’s high-impact journalism can be made at inquirer.com/donate. A list of Lenfest Institute donors can be found at lenfestinstitute.org/supporters.
Chef Nana Araba Wilmot’s career has taken her everywhere from top-tier French restaurants in New York City to dinner parties in Accra, Ghana. Now, the Cherry Hill-raised chef is taking her culinary skills to the 23rd season of Top Chef, Bravo’s high-stakes, elimination-style culinary competition.
Wilmot is the owner of Georgina’s Private Chef and Catering Co. and Love That I Knead, a traveling supper club grounded in Ghanaian cuisine. Her love for cooking was forged in her childhood home in Cherry Hill, where her parents and grandmother brought the flavors of their native Ghana into the house, and in kitchens in Philadelphia and New York City, where she learned the craft of restaurant cooking.
Now, Wilmot is a private chef and caterer who wants to put her own story on the plate. She’s taking on the competition in the newest season of Top Chef, which will officially hit screens next week but is available early on streaming.
Chef Nana Araba Wilmot is competing on season 23 of “Top Chef,” which premieres on Bravo on March 9, but early streaming access is available now.
From Cherry Hill to Le Coucou
Wilmot was raised on the east side of Cherry Hill. She attended private school up until fourth grade, then graduated from James F. Cooper Elementary School, Henry C. Beck Middle School, and Cherry Hill High School East. She played lacrosse and joined the dance team and student government.
“Cherry Hill was always good to me,” Wilmot said.
At age 7, she started cooking with her grandmother.
Wilmot’s childhood memories are dotted with warm, lively dinner parties and Ghanaian events where smells of fried fish and Jollof rice mingled with the sounds of hiplife music playing on her dad’s stereo system. Within the walls of her childhood home, and the homes of her friends and family, Ghanaian life was kept alive through time-tested recipes and traditions. Seeing Ghanaian food outside of the home was rare.
“When I would leave the house, that just wasn’t what was outside,” she said.
“For us, it wasn’t like our food is for sale, it was for us.”
After graduating from Cherry Hill East, Wilmot attended the now-shuttered Art Institute of Philadelphia, where she earned degrees in culinary arts and culinary management in 2013.
She worked her way up in the restaurant world, starting with an internship at Time, the restaurant, whiskey bar, and music venue in Midtown Village.
“I really enjoyed being downtown and really just immersing myself in the vibe of the Philly food scene,” Wilmot said, of her first foray into Philadelphia cheffing.
She got her first full-time job at Vintage, a wine bar and bistro near Time, and started catering on the side. Wilmot was working at Jose Garces’ Tinto and Village Whiskey when she accepted an offer tohelpGarces open a New York City outpost of his Spanish restaurant Amada.
“I kind of understood what Jose was doing and his style of food, which is really excellent,” she said. “He was also an ode to his grandmother and mother, so I understood that kind of wanting to see yourself in the food that you’re presenting.”
Amada’s Manhattan location closed after two years, failing to garner the buzz of Garces’ other restaurants. But Wilmot had fallen in love with New York. She moved on to her next job, learning the craft of fine dining under chefs Daniel and Marie-Aude Rose. Her stint at Daniel Rose’s Le Coucou was “incredible,” Wilmot said.
“I’d been in casual fine dining for so long, but this was the epitome of fine dining,” she said.
When Wilmot was hired in 2016, she became the first Black woman to work Le Coucou’s meat-roasting station. The experience was life-changing, but demanding, and Wilmot’s place as one of the few Black women in a white- and male-dominated industry left her self-conscious at times and, once, made her the object of outright hostility from a senior coworker, she told the New York Times in 2021.
Wilmot was preparing to move to Paris to work at one of Daniel Rose’s French restaurants when COVID shut down the world.
Like many millennials, Wilmot found herself stuck in her suburban hometown, career on pause, future uncertain.
To help “bring herself back to life,” Wilmot started cooking with her mom on Sundays. Wilmot would sit in their kitchen, watching her mom make soup or bread or rice, writing down family recipes that had long been passed down through memory.
Around the same time, Wilmot jokes that she enrolled in the “university of the aunties,” visiting with older women in her community to learn their Ghanaian recipes. Like her mother’s dishes, many of the recipes weren’t written down, but rather handed down verbally from generation to generation. Wilmot rose with the sun, watching the women bake bread and fry fish, and documenting it for posterity.
From her mom’s backyard, she hosted a socially-distanced dinner party for restaurant industry friends.
The slowness of the pandemic forced Wilmot to rethink her life in restaurants, which she says are “not for the faint of heart, especially as a woman.” Did she really want to return to the chaos of a white tablecloth kitchen?
Wilmot decided to pour herself into Love That I Knead and Georgina’s. Love That I Knead has popped up everywhere from the Philadelphia Museum of Art to OSTUDIO, a community gathering space in Brooklyn. These days, Wilmot’s traveling supper club operates in New York City, Philadelphia, and Accra, Ghana. She sees herself as part of a new generation of chefs who want to see their own cultures reflected on the plate.
Chefs Nana Araba Wilmot (left), Duyen Ha, and Day Joseph compete on season 23 of Bravo’s “Top Chef.”
Taking Ghanaian cuisine to ‘Top Chef’
When it came to throwing her hat in the ring for Top Chef, Wilmot says she just needed to “shake it up.” It was a real “why not?” moment.
Though she can’t reveal much about the season, which takes place in North and South Carolina, she said her Ghanaian recipes fused beautifully with the flavors of the Carolinas, due in large part to the enduring impact of West Africans on the recipes and culinary techniques of the South.
“There’s still so many traces of African food, of my ancestors, that is here in the South,” Wilmot said.
Wilmot said Top Chef is “just the beginning.” She’s excited to make her family and South Jersey proud, and to “start the conversation” about food in the African Diaspora.
Top Chef returns March 9 from 9 to 10:15 p.m. on Bravo. Early access to the season premiere is currently available on Peacock, Bravo’s YouTube channel, and video on demand. Beginning March 16, the show will move to its regular 9:30 p.m. time slot with episodes available the next day on Peacock.
This suburban content is produced with support from the Leslie Miller and Richard Worley Foundation and The Lenfest Institute for Journalism. Editorial content is created independently of the project donors. Gifts to support The Inquirer’s high-impact journalism can be made at inquirer.com/donate. A list of Lenfest Institute donors can be found at lenfestinstitute.org/supporters.
Well, are you also denouncing the removal of the Caesar Rodney statue from a plaza in downtown Wilmington? You should.
The statue of Rodney — a signer of the Declaration of Independence who enslaved about 200 people — was taken down by city officials during the racial reckoning of 2020. And last month, the Trump administration said it would be displayed in Washington, D.C., as part of the nation’s 250th anniversary celebrations.
Cue the culture wars: One side says the statue symbolizes racism, and the other says it embodies patriotism.
They’re both right. And that’s why the statue of Rodney belongs back in Delaware, surrounded by displays about his past as an enslaver. We can’t make sense of the past unless we address its complexities. And we can’t condemn the erasure of history if we’re erasing it ourselves.
That’s what my fellow liberals have been doing since 2020, by demanding the removal of monuments to those who were enslavers. We should instead seek to add information to the memorials, so Americans receive a fuller picture of slavery and its role in our founding.
The Trump administration doesn’t want that, of course, which is why it removed the panels about the enslaved people who labored at the President’s House Site at Independence National Historical Park. Last month, a federal district court judge ordered the panels be reinstalled. Sixteen of the 34 panels were returned to the site before a circuit court judge placed a stay on that order. The other panels will remain in storage until the courts issue a full ruling on the matter.
Rodney was one of them. He raced on horseback from Dover, Del., to Philadelphia on July 2, 1776, to cast his state’s decisive vote in favor of the Declaration of Independence, which was adopted two days later. The town fathers of Wilmington erected a statue in his honor in 1923, shortly before the 150th anniversary of the declaration.
An image of the front page of the July 3, 1923, edition of the News Journal of Wilmington, which notes the dedication of the Caesar Rodney statue on the following day.
But Rodney also enslaved roughly 200 African Americans at his family plantation. That’s why protesters demanded his statue’s removal in 2020, when the police murder of George Floyd led many communities around the country to reconsider their connections to slavery.
In agreeing to remove the statue, Mike Purzycki — the mayor of Wilmington at the time — pledged to conduct a discussion about it. But it’s hard to talk about something when you have hidden it. It’s out of sight, out of mind.
And that’s where some liberals want it to remain. “You can have him, D.C.,” said Wilmington Councilwoman Shané N. Darby, reacting to the news that the statue of Rodney would be moved to Washington. “I do not think he needs to have a statue in his honor at all.”
But giving the statue to Washington concedes way too much to President Donald Trump, who issued a proclamation in October 2020 condemning its removal from Wilmington as “part of an ongoing, radical purge of America’s founding generation.”
The proclamation made no mention of Rodney’s past as an enslaver, because the Trump administration doesn’t want us to address that. All we need to know is that Rodney was a “patriot,” and that the people who denounced the Wilmington statue are engaged in “extreme anti-American historical revisionism,” Trump declared.
But the real revisionists are Trump and his disciples, who want to erase slavery from public memory. And that’s precisely what will happen if the Rodney statue disappears from Delaware.
Like the display at the President’s House, Rodney’s statue should include signage describing his complex relationship to slavery. Although he held human beings captive, Rodney introduced a bill to prohibit the importation of enslaved people into Delaware. And his will directed that the people he enslaved should be freed after he died.
Fewer people will know that history if the statue is gone. Even at Caesar Rodney High School in Camden, Del., students and recent graduates said they weren’t aware of Rodney’s past until the controversy flared over his statue in Wilmington.
So let’s bring it back, perhaps paired with a monument to enslaved people in Delaware. That’s what University of Delaware political scientist Theodore Davis Jr. proposed back in 2020, as the campaign to remove Rodney’s statue gained momentum. Davis, who is Black, understood that we should always be adding to history. Leave the subtracting to Trump.
Of the Eagles’ 19 pending unrestricted free agents, nine are on defense, and four — Jaelan Phillips, Nakobe Dean, Reed Blankenship, and Adoree’ Jackson — were starters for most of the 2025 season. So, more than one-third of the defensive starters could depart Philadelphia, come the start of the new league year on March 11, requiring Howie Roseman to fill their roles either externally or internally.
Some positions have more clear-cut internal replacements than others. Some pending free agents likely are higher priorities for retention than others. Because the Eagles are set to have approximately $13 million in cap space at the start of the new league year, even those priority players could be difficult to keep, depending on their open-market demand.
Ultimately, the Eagles could part with the majority of those midrange to big-ticket free agents if they want to extend players like Jordan Davis or Jalen Carter this offseason (and others in coming years such as Cooper DeJean, Quinyon Mitchell, and Jalyx Hunt).
Here’s a look at where the Eagles stand with their pending defensive free agents and which potential additions might pique their interest:
The market for Jaelan Phillips could be robust.
Edge rushers
The biggest defensive domino of the Eagles’ offseason (and the one that likely will fall first) is Phillips. The 26-year-old pass rusher is one of the better players in this year’s pending free agent class, given his youth, his on-field impact, and the premium position he plays.
Of the Eagles’ pending free agents, he ought to be the biggest priority to retain. He seamlessly transitioned to a new defense at the trade deadline, and while he didn’t post gaudy sack numbers (two in eight games), he made the players around him better. His injury history could be cause for concern for any organization, but he made it through the 2025 season healthy while playing over 70% of the defensive snaps with the Miami Dolphins and the Eagles.
Phillips could have other suitors, though, which may drive up his asking price and push him out of the Eagles’ range. The Athletic projected his next contract at four years, $98 million ($24.5 million per year), while Spotrac is more conservative at three years, $52 million ($17.3 million per year). The reality could lie somewhere between those figures.
Whether Phillips returns or not, the Eagles must add edge rushers through free agency and the draft. Hunt and Nolan Smith are the only two players at the position who were on the active roster in 2025 and are under contract next year. Brandon Graham, Joshua Uche, Azeez Ojulari, and Ogbo Okoronkwo are pending free agents.
Besides Phillips, some of the other free-agent edge rushers worth considering include:
Bradley Chubb: On Feb. 16, the Dolphins released Chubb, who turns 30 in June, so he is available now if the Eagles are interested. The veteran edge rusher has ample experience playing for Vic Fangio, first with the Denver Broncos from 2019 to 2021 (including a Pro Bowl season in 2020) and in 2023 with the Dolphins. He rebounded in 2025 from an ACL injury sustained the year prior to collect 8½ sacks in 17 games.
Khalil Mack: Another former Fangio pupil (with the Chicago Bears). Mack just turned 35, so it seems unlikely that the Eagles would go after him if they also decide to bring back the soon-to-be-38-year-old Graham for another year. But if they move on from Graham and Mack is looking to add a title to his long list of career accolades, the Eagles could make sense as a landing spot. Despite suffering an elbow injury that kept him sidelined for five games in 2025, Mack finished with 5½ sacks and 32 tackles for the Los Angeles Chargers.
Maxx Crosby: OK, he isn’t a free agent, and his contract with the Las Vegas Raiders is staggering. But according to Sports Illustrated, Crosby could be a candidate for a trade, and the Eagles are among the teams “keeping tabs on his availability.” This would be the splash that Roseman explicitly said was unlikely this offseason. Still, Crosby has had offseason surgery the last two years, which could impact the return for him in a trade. One can dream of what the five-time Pro Bowler would look like in Fangio’s defense, even if it would take some serious maneuvering to pull off.
Other names to watch: Arnold Ebiketie, Boye Mafe, Kingsley Enagbare
Could Riq Woolen be a fit opposite Quinyon Mitchell at corner?
Cornerbacks
The Eagles are set with DeJean and Mitchell returning as starters, but the secondary has a hole at the second outside cornerback spot. Jackson, 30, is poised to become a free agent after holding down that starting role for the majority of the 2025 season.
As the season progressed, Jackson’s play improved. He could be a candidate to return to the Eagles in 2026 if they believe he can continue to play at a high level. They also could open the competition internally to Kelee Ringo, who vied for the job last training camp, or Mac McWilliams, who trained at outside cornerback and at nickel in practice last season.
Or, they could go the external route through the draft or free agency. Seeing as the Eagles have a number of long-term needs on offense (especially at tight end and on the offensive line) that could require premium draft capital, will free agency be the best route to acquire an outside cornerback?
Riq Woolen: The 26-year-old Woolen was one of the members of the Seattle Seahawks’ Super Bowl-winning “Dark Side” defense. He excelled at locking down his opponent, allowing the fewest yards per snap among outside cornerbacks with at least 250 coverage snaps entering Week 18, according to Next Gen Stats. Woolen is one of the better man coverage cornerbacks in the league, and while the Eagles play mostly zone, they deployed one of the higher rates of man coverage in the NFL in 2025 (24.5%; No. 12, according to Sharp Football Analysis).
Eric Stokes: Stokes covers two squares on the Roseman Prospective Target Bingo Card: draft pedigree and Georgia ties. The 27-year-old cornerback was the Green Bay Packers’ first-round pick (No. 29)in the 2021 draft. His early career with the Packers was marred by injury, but he stayed healthy as a starter with the Raiders last season. Stokes’ 77.2 passer rating against ranked 14th in the NFL among cornerbacks with at least 500 coverage snaps, according to Pro Football Focus.
Asante Samuel Jr.: If the Eagles can’t afford Woolen or Stokes, Samuel could be an option. Samuel, 26, underwent spinal fusion surgery last offseason and returned to action with the Pittsburgh Steelers in November. He started three games (in six appearances) in 2025, bringing his total career starts to 50. So long as the Eagles aren’t spooked by his injury history, he could compete for the starting gig on a low-cost deal with the team his father played for from 2008 to 2011.
Other names to watch: Josh Jobe, James Pierre, Benjamin St-Juste
Kam Curl (3) could pique the Eagles’ interest.
Safeties
Is this the end of the “Exciting Whites”? Blankenship, 27, is set to become a free agent after four seasons (three as a starter) in Philadelphia.
He has a special story with the Eagles, signing with the team as an undrafted free agent out of Middle Tennessee State in 2022 and playing his way into a prominent role on defense. But he could earn a payday elsewhere — Spotrac projects his next contract at two years, $14.4 million ($7.2 million per year), while The Athletic estimates his potential deal at four years, $42 million ($10.5 million per year).
If Blankenship walks, the Eagles will be in the market for a safety who can start alongside Drew Mukuba, who is coming off a season-ending fibula fracture. However, given Blankenship’s body of work over the last few seasons and the lack of depth in the room, he could be one of the Eagles’ priorities ahead of free agency.
The Eagles lack internal replacement candidates, so they may have no choice but to spend money at the position. Sydney Brown could compete for the job again, but he struggled to hold it down at midseason while Mukuba was sidelined.
Marcus Epps: The 30-year-old safety usurped the starting job from Brown for four of the Eagles’ final five regular-season games and fared well in limited action. He could return on a relatively inexpensive, short-term deal while the Eagles add youth to the position through the draft.
Kam Curl: It seems unlikely that the Eagles would break the bank for a safety, so the addition of Curl would be a long shot, given that he’s one of the best in this free-agent class. Still, he’s worth checking in on, as he will be just 27 years old in 2026 and has 86 career starts, including 33 over the past two seasons with the Los Angeles Rams. He is a versatile, intelligent player who could provide an upgrade to the Eagles’ back end.
Kevin Byard: Could a reunion be on the horizon? Even at 32, Byard won’t come cheap, given his standout 2025 season with the Bears (including a league-high seven interceptions). But the Eagles evidently liked him enough to acquire him from the Tennessee Titans during the disastrous 2023 season. He would be better positioned for success under Fangio.
Other names to watch: Jaquan Brisker, Coby Bryant
The exit of Nakobe Dean (17) seemingly would pave the way for Jihaad Campbell in the starting lineup.
Inside linebackers
No one from the Eagles defense in 2025 exceeded expectations more than Dean. The 25-year-old inside linebacker began the season on the physically unable to perform list because of the patellar tendon tear he sustained in the 2024 wild-card round. Entering the season, he faced questions about whether he would return to the level of play he achieved before his injury.
He never appeared limited upon his return to action. While most homegrown players of Dean’s caliber would warrant an attempt at an extension, the Eagles could move on from him this offseason. Jihaad Campbell, the 31st overall pick out of Alabama in 2025, is on standby to succeed Dean as the starter alongside Zack Baun.
After Campbell and Baun, the Eagles have solid depth at the position under contract in 2026, including Jeremiah Trotter Jr. and Smael Mondon. Even Chance Campbell, a 2022 sixth-rounder out of Ole Miss, built a strong reputation throughout his season on the practice squad. It seems unlikely that the Eagles will make any major additions to the unit in free agency.
The first Philadelphia-area location of a TikTok-famous bagel chain, an Italian kitchen and bar, a Puerto Rican barbecue specialist, and a posh tasting-menu BYOB are among the restaurants on the dining radar for March. As usual, most opening dates are in flux.
Bengaluru Cafe (809 N. Second St.): This vegan/vegetarian South Indian restaurant, due to open March 20 in Northern Liberties, is inspired by Karnataka, a state in India, with a menu focused on street-food staples and shareable plates, including chaats, tomato masala salad, and vada pav — a popular snack of spiced potato fritter tucked into soft bread with chutneys. Owner Sri Saravanan has quite a commute: He opened his first location two years ago in Fairfax, Va.
Carmen’s Table (200 E. Evesham Rd., Glendora): Roselyn Gonzalez, part of Booker’s Restaurant Lounge & Grill in Camden, is opening this Puerto Rican barbecue restaurant with her family in the former Kitchen 519 on March 27. She’s drawing on the recipes of her mother, Carmen, who supported her family by selling plates of food. Expect smoked meats informed by Caribbean flavors, including her mother’s sofrito.
Cugini’s (6522 Lower York Rd., New Hope): Cousins Frank Picone and Anthony Adragna are taking over the former New Hope Star Diner on Route 202 in Solebury Township, Bucks County, for a 135-seat “Italian kitchen and bar” that aims to split the difference between date-night dining and family-friendly fare. Adragna previously owned and operated Cafe Antonio in Morrisville; Picone comes from a restaurant family that founded V&S Pizza in Fairless Hills and Ariana’s Pizza in Levittown.
Dining room of Duo Restaurant & Bar, 90 Haddon Ave., Westmont, N.J.
Duo Restaurant & Bar (90 Haddon Ave., Haddon Township): Brothers Artan and Arber Murtaj and Andi and Tony Lelaj, who own the Old World-style Italian Il Villaggio in Cherry Hill, have soft-opened their pub on the former site of Keg & Kitchen. Bar menu includes burgers, a crab cake sandwich, and raw oysters, while the regular menu covers rib-eye meatballs, crab cakes, and Italian entrees. It’s open for lunch and dinner daily.
Booth seating with murals at Mi Vida.
Mi Vida (1150 Ludlow St.): Knead Hospitality of Washington, D.C., is in the opening days of its first Philly project: a splashy Mexican restaurant in East Market, open daily for lunch weekdays, weekend brunch, and nightly dinner with a full menu and 23-seat bar stocked with 130 tequilas and mezcals.
PopUp Bagels (10 Coulter Ave., Ardmore): “Grip, rip, and dip” is the phrase that pays at PopUp, a burgeoning franchise with a social-media following that started in 2021 as a baking enthusiast’s pandemic project in Westport, Conn. The first of 10 Philadelphia-area locations is looking to open later this month at Suburban Square in Ardmore, where it will occupy the former Juice Press space next to Drybar and SoulCycle and across from Shake Shack. (Center City, Marlton, and Princeton/Hamilton locations are being teed up.) Popup sells bagels and coffee, but no sandwiches, and the bagels are served hot and whole, rather than sliced. They’re designed to be torn apart and dipped into cream cheese spreads. The company offers weekly rotating schmear flavors and sells bagels in bundles — three, six, or a dozen — rather than individually.
Two works in progress by chef Chris Bennett for the forthcoming Restaurant 1793 in Merchantville: Black truffle panna cotta with poached lobster, compressed orange, and white asparagus, as well as cocoa-lined foie gras with toasted walnut, apple cider puree, and small winter greens,
1793 (7 E. Park Ave., Merchantville): A tasting-menu restaurant at the former Park Place from chef Chris Bennett (formerly of June BYOB), 1793 will offer a six-course contemporary American menu (starting at $115). Bennett will emphasize seafood, pastas, risottos, and a consistent duck entrée. A carpenter in his first career, Bennett is building it out to feel like an upscale library, with dark woods and leather seating. He’s aiming for fine dining without formality.
As you may have heard on Tuesday, Johan Rojas tested positive for a performance-enhancing drug and is facing an 80-game suspension by MLB.
Rojas plans to appeal the suspension, and the MLB hasn’t yet contacted the Phillies about his status. The center fielder was scheduled to play for the Dominican Republic in the upcoming World Baseball Classic, but didn’t join the team in Miami over the weekend.
The Phillies’ outfield depth would be diminished by a suspension to Rojas, as Brandon Marsh, Justin Crawford, and Adolis García are locked into outfield spots, while Otto Kemp hasn’t been a full-time outfielder.
A situation like this wouldn’t be a huge deal for some teams. The Phillies, however, are not one of those teams. They don’t have a choice but to scavenge for someone who at least looks like a center fielder, writes columnist David Murphy.
In other news, with the World Baseball Classic opening on Thursday, former Phillies pitcher Phillippe Aumont will return to the mound with Team Canada. The 37-year-old left baseball to become a farmer. Now, he’ll get the chance to face his old team in a tuneup.
Safety Reed Blankenship (32) and linebacker Nakobe Dean (17) could both require replacements during the free-agency period.
Change is coming to the Eagles’ defense. Of the Eagles’ 19 pending unrestricted free agents, nine are on defense and four — Jaelan Phillips, Nakobe Dean, Reed Blankenship, and Adoree’ Jackson — were starters for most of the 2025 season.
Some positions have more clear-cut internal replacements than others. Some pending free agents are likely higher priorities for retention than others.
Andrea Peterson has been at the helm for Neumann Goretti for 12 seasons.
Andrea Peterson is in her 12th season at the helm for Neumann Goretti. She is the most accomplished girls’ high school basketball coach in the area.
Somehow, she manages to run her childcare business in Delaware County, coach Neumann Goretti, which is really a 12-month long responsibility, runs her AAU Philly Legacy program, while raising her sibling’s three children, easily working between 70 to 80 hours a week during the four-month high school basketball season.
Flyers right wing Owen Tippett skates the puck against the Ottawa Senators on Feb. 5.
Owen Tippett has style. On Saturday, the Flyers’ social media accounts had a picture of Tippett in his gameday fit, sporting a Kith sweater, baggy black jeans, and sunglasses. He followed that up with a Canadian tuxedo, fittingly in Toronto, on Monday.
Now, this isn’t about fashion, instead it’s about the old-fashioned mantra: “If you look good, you feel good,” and right now, the Flyers need to Tippett to step up with Travis Konecny’s status up in the air.
Even without their leading goal scorer, the Flyers have won three straight after a 3-2 shootout win against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Here are four numbers to know.
Lavar Scott grew up in Carneys Point, N.J. and raced on dirt tracks across Pennsylvania.
South Jersey’s Lavar Scott grew up racing on dirt tracks with his family. When he turned 15, he wanted to pursue a career in racing, which meant moving to Charlotte, N.C.
Six years ago, he was accepted into the NASCAR Drive for Diversity program and worked his way toward racing at the highest level. Now he’s one step from the sport’s top tier — and is already giving back to the Philly area.
Sports snapshot
Villanova forward Matt Hodge will undergo surgery to his right knee and miss the rest of the season.
Future implications: With Matt Hodge sidelined for the rest of the season, Kevin Willard will need to weigh some short and long term decisions.
Give an assist: Point guard Derek Simpson is a key contributor in St. Joseph’s turning around its season.
Title holder: Cardinal O’Hara graduate Maggie Doogan was named Atlantic 10 Player of the Year for the consecutive year.
Let’s compare: A sellout crowd in New York brought another great atmosphere to Unrivaled. But it couldn’t top Philly’s spectacle.
🧠 Trivia time answer
The Eagles drafted first-round wideouts in back-to-back years in 2020 (Jalen Reagor) and 2021 (DeVonta Smith). Prior to that, who was the last receiver they drafted in the first round?
Reddit AMA with Flyers reporter Jackie Spiegel ahead of NHL trade deadline.
What are the Flyers’ plans for the NHL trade deadline?
You can ask that question and more during a Reddit AMA with the Inquirer’s Jackie Spiegel on Wednesday in the r/Flyers Subreddit.
What you’re saying about NFL free agency
We asked: Which of the Eagles’ pending free agents should Roseman prioritize re-signing? Among your responses:
Dollars and sense drives these decisions. We have no tight ends and few edge rushers on the roster today. Signing Goedert and Phillips makes sense if their contracts fit the budget. The pressure is on Howie to again figure it out, make the right moves and keep the Super Bowl window open. — Tom E.
Bring back Goedert, Dean and Phillips — why are they so intent on moving on from Goedert? None of the other tight ends on the roster contributed at all last year.— Richard E.
Phillips and Dean are players that the BIRDS should resign. Dean is the play caller for the D and is tough. Phillips brings that outside rush which we desperately need.— Tom G.
Eagles tight end Dallas Goedert is set to become a free agent.
Free agent must keepers: P Braden Mann, OLB Jaelan Phillips, TE Dallas Goedert, LB Nakobe Dean. Dump List- T. O. 2.0 WR A. J. Brown. Off to the Raiders or New England. Enough with his disruptive nonsense.— Ronald R.
Make it a priority to resign Dallas Goedert who had his best season this past year 60 receptions for 591 yards and 11 TD’s. At 6-5 256 he make an excellent target. When Brown and others were failing Dallas was there for Hurts when he most needed him. — Everett S.
All of them. — Paul D.
We compiled today’s newsletter using reporting from Alex Coffey, Scott Lauber, David Murphy, Jeff Neiburg, Olivia Reiner, Matt Breen, Ryan Mack, Kerith Gabriel, Jackie Spiegel, Jonathan Tannenwald, Joseph Santoliquito, and Devin Jackson.
By submitting your written, visual, and/or audio contributions, you agree to The Inquirer’s Terms of Use, including the grant of rights in Section 10.
Have a wonderful Wednesday, and thanks for getting your morning started with me. Kerith will catch back up with you in Thursday’s newsletter. — Bella
The NFL Scouting Combine doesn’t have quite the same participation that it had before the COVID pandemic, which was further illustrated last week. Several position groups were impacted by the number of players opting to test athletically at their pro days, which made for historically low testing numbers for all but one position group in Indianapolis.
But for those who did test, it was an opportunity to showcase their skill set in front of NFL personnel for the latest piece of the scouting puzzle. From an Eagles perspective, there were a few potential targets whose stock was impacted.
With free agency looming, here are some of the risers and fallers leaving the combine:
The predraft process for Johnson has helped elevate his draft stock. Johnson, a sticky coverage player in man and zone coverages who also is competitive at the catch point, showed he was an elite athlete, too, with his athletic testing.
At the combine, Johnson ran a 4.4-second 40-yard dash, jumped a 38-inch vertical, leaped 10 feet, 6 inches in the broad jump, and tied for the most bench press reps among cornerbacks with 17. He interviewed well for NFL teams meeting with him in Indianapolis.
His predraft rise is similar to that of Quinyon Mitchell, a Group of Four player who continued checking boxes at every stop. Johnson won’t go as high as Mitchell did in 2024, but he has some late first-round buzz coming out of the combine.
Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia
Freeling, though he has just 16 career starts, feels like he is slipping from the Eagles’ range in the first round. His final game at Georgia, a College Football Playoff quarterfinal loss to Ole Miss, was the most complete performance of his career and he now seems unlikely to get out of the top half of the first round.
#Georgia OT Monroe Freeling says he’s met with the #Eagles this week along with 18 other teams. Told us about how he picked up yoga because his mom convinced him to do it during the pandemic.
Also a former basketball player in high school and he compared playing defense in… pic.twitter.com/WnSIdketEv
Freeling tied for the fourth-fastest 40-yard dash among offensive linemen at the combine (4.93 seconds), third-longest broad jump (9-7) and fifth-highest vertical (33.5 inches). He slipped a few times during the on-field drills but still looked like a natural athlete with light feet.
He is going as high as No. 6 overall to the Cleveland Browns in post-combine mock drafts, which indicates just how highly he is thought of in draft circles.
Omar Cooper, WR, Indiana
Cooper was a popular Day 2 draft pick for several teams before the combine, including the Eagles, but after hearing the buzz in Indianapolis about the Indiana wide receiver, it is becoming increasingly unlikely he makes it beyond Round 1.
Cooper only ran the 40-yard dash (4.46 seconds) and participated in the vertical jump (37 inches), but he has checked several boxes for NFL teams and has the skill set and production to match his speed.
Cooper played primarily in the slot in college, but his vertical catching ability and strong hands with defenders draped over him will translate. Even if the Eagles end up addressing wide receiver early, there’s a good possibility Cooper is off the board by the time they pick in the first round.
Tennessee defensive back Jermod McCoy (3) has struggled to sufficiently answer questions about his recovery from injury.
Fallers
Jermod McCoy, DB, Tennessee
When healthy, McCoy is one of the best defensive backs in this draft class, but he missed all of 2025 with a torn ACL and elected to skip the combine. Nailing down his draft stock has been difficult because teams are not sure if he is the same player, athletically, postinjury.
He falls on this list because of the questions surrounding his long-term health, as opposed to other first-round corners including LSU’s Mansoor Delane and Clemson’s Avieon Terrell.
Stash McCoy’s name in case he doesn’t test as well as expected during his pro day on March 31. The Eagles showed last year with Jihaad Campbell that they are willing to take a swing on a player who had injury concerns before the draft.
After a strong Senior Bowl performance, Hunter, a disruptive, run-stopping defensive tackle, was getting late first-round buzz and even appeared in our first mock draft of the cycle. But his subpar testing numbers may hinder him from going that early in the draft.
Hunter’s 40-yard dash time (5.18 seconds) was as expected for a player who is 6-3, 318 pounds, but jumping a 21.5-inch vertical and 8-4 broad isn’t a first-round athleticism profile. Coupled with his limited pass rushing ability, Hunter feels closer to a late second-round player rather than back end of the first.
Malachi Fields, WR, Notre Dame
Like Hunter, Fields was starting to get some late first round, early second round buzz after a standout week in Mobile, Ala., to begin the draft cycle. But even for a taller receiver (6-4, 218), he didn’t run as well as many expected in the 40-yard dash (4.61 seconds), though it’s not the end-all, be-all.
He did have some nice explosive jumps (38 inch vertical, 10-4 broad) along with an excellent three-cone time (6.98 seconds). But during on-field drills, he had some tightness in his hips when he tried to sink them while changing direction.
Fields still likely will get drafted on Day 2, could start early in his NFL career, and might be a nice option to replace A.J. Brown if the Eagles trade the star receiver. But it would be surprising to hear Fields’ name called in Round 1 in April.
Other notes
Arizona State offensive tackle Max Iheanachor, a consistent riser during this process, met with the Eagles during the combine and had a strong testing performance on Sunday. He could be one of seven tackles drafted in the first round, along with Clemson tackle Blake Miller, with whom the Eagles also met in Indianapolis. Miller also had a strong testing day.
#Clemson RT Blake Miller says he has met with the #Eagles and tries to model his game after Lane Johnson’s explosiveness and consistency.
“Being able to kind of go pick his brain, get his opinion on technique, and then also to how he approaches taking on some of the league's… pic.twitter.com/8kDK4t1S62
Oregon safety Dillon Thieneman solidified himself as a first-rounder with elite testing at the combine and seems likely to be the second safety selected after Caleb Downs. His range starts in the late teens, with the Minnesota Vikings picking 18th. College teammate Kenyon Sadiq, the draft’s top tight end prospect, also seems to be trending up as a potential top-20 selection, which could be out of the Eagles’ range.
Utah tackle Spencer Fano, who could be an Eagles draft target, showcased his snapping ability after position drills on Sunday, which could give him the versatility to play center, guard, or tackle. Teams like the Detroit Lions and Chicago Bears, who lost their centers this offseason, could be in play for Fano if he doesn’t get drafted inside the top 15.
