With a pick acquired from the New York Jets as part of the 2024 Haason Reddick trade, the Eagles selected University of Miami offensive tackle Markel Bell in the third round of the 2026 NFL Draft, No. 68 overall.

A mountain of a man – make that two mountains – at 6-foot-9, 346 pounds with 36-3/8-inch arms and an 87-1/8-inch wingspan, Bell began his collegiate football career at Holmes Community College in Goodman, Mississippi, where he was one of the nation's top-ranked junior college players before choosing to transfer to Miami over offers from Arkansas, Auburn, Mississippi State, and Ole Miss.

During his first season with the Hurricanes in 2024, Bell played in 12 games with five starts, and helped Miami become the No. 1 offense in the country in both points per game (43.9) and yards per game (537.2).

Last year as a senior, Bell started all 16 games at left tackle and did not allow a sack in 558 pass block snaps, earning third-team All-ACC honors for the Hurricanes who reached the National Championship Game.

Said Executive Vice President/General Manager Howie Roseman: "Markel Bell was a passion player for us. Obviously, unusual size, unusual length. Hard to find. Really, when you watch the tape, he is hard to get around in pass pro(tection). He had zero quarterback sacks allowed this year playing for the University of Miami. This is a 21-year-old player who was the No. 1 JC (junior college) recruit in the country coming out … Just watching the tape, he's one of those guys who you would say, 'What would happen if he went back to school this year?' To have an opportunity for him to learn from the guys we have on this roster … just felt like this was a guy that is hard to find."

Said Bell: "I saw myself in Philly. I envisioned myself in Philly and it came to reality. It's no secret sauce. I just worked my tail off every day. I go against great players and I had a great coach behind me. I'm looking forward to doing the same thing in Philly."