The Parramatta Eels endured yet another disappointing season in 2026, struggling as their long-running rebuild under the coaching of Jason Ryles continues to struggle to gather pace.

Ryles enters 2027 under pressure.

While all the off-field talk is that the club are actually moving towards extending his contract, it's difficult to understand how that could possibly be the case given a lack of results since he took over.

Ryles has been ruthless in his squad build, although that itself has raised confusion with Jarome Luai to become their second gap-year player in as many campaigns.

The Eels have enough talent around the squad, but it's clear they need a lot more if they are going to push their way up the ladder come 2027.

Here is the state of play for the blue and gold as November 1 looms.

Current 2028 squad

Teancum Brown, Tallyn Da Silva, Charlie Guymer, Isaiah Iongi, Brian Kelly, Spencer Leniu, Mitchell Moses, Christopher Petrus, Saxon Pryke, Jaydn Su'A, Ryda Talagi, Lorenzo Talataina, Sam Tuivaiti, Ronald Volkman

Off-contract at the end of 2027

Josh Addo-Carr, Matt Doorey, Harrison Edwards, Jezaiah Funa-Iuta, J'maine Hopgood, Kitione Kautoga, William Latu, Luca Moretti, Araz Nanva, Joash Papalii, Junior Paulo, Jordan Samrani, Bailey Simonsson, Ryley Smith, Jack Williams

Current 2028 best 19

1. Isaiah Iongi
2. No player signed.
3. Brian Kelly
4. No player signed.
5. No player signed.
6. Ronald Volkman
7. Mitchell Moses
8. Spencer Leniu
9. Tallyn Da Silva
10. Sam Tuivaiti
11. Jaydn Su'A
12. Charlie Guymer
13. Saxon Pryke

Interchange
14. Lorenzo Talataina
15. Ryda Talagi
16. Christopher Petrus
17. Teancum Brown
18. No player signed.
19. No player signed.

What the Eels have for 2028 is a squad that can be almost entirely flipped if they want.

14 players are signed at the time of writing, with more than half a squad to fill, but they will have a mountain of money available.

Of the 14 signed, only Mitchell Moses, Spencer Leniu and Jaydn Su'A are going to be commanding any significant money, leaving the Eels and their recruitment staff with plenty of options heading into 2028.

They need improvements across most of the footy side, although you could argue they will need to focus away from fullback and the halves where they look relatively set.

Here are five players the Eels should target for 2028.

Option 2: Bradman Best (Newcastle Knights)

The first of two key outside backs the Eels should be targeting after November 1, but maybe the most likely to sign.

Best is off-contract at the Knights, and while they are now scrambling to increase the size of their offer in a desperate bid to retain him, the centre is as likely to leave as he is to stay.

It has been widely reported he will be the first-choice target for the Eels in 2027, and so he should be.

Parramatta are desperate for strike in the outside backs, and Best is the type of player who could turn their fortunes almost overnight.