Which Eagles UDFAs will make the roster?

In our Eagles latest mailbag there was a query worthy of a complete deep dive.

Which UDFA will make the staff and why? – kjb304

Predicting UDFAs to make a roster is nearly a idiot’s errand. There are at all times 1st spherical busts, so good luck projecting guys who weren’t even drafted. For instance here’s a prediction from last year the place the Eagles’ selection was Mario Goodrich, who spent your entire 12 months on the observe squad. Here’s another that predicted it could be Kennedy Brooks, who didn’t even keep on the observe squad all season. I’m not attempting to choose on both of those or anybody else, simply declaring that projecting UDFAs is absolutely laborious. Even on the finish of coaching camp and preseason there might be an UDFA that media members who’re at camp every single day assume will make the staff after which it seems they don’t even make the observe squad.

That stated, in current seasons Corey Clement, TJ Edwards, and Josh Jobe had been seen as gamers with an actual probability to make the 53 man roster, they usually did.

So why not give it a strive.

To assessment, he are the Eagles UDFAs:

• CB Eli Ricks, Alabama
• CB Mekhi Garner, LSU
• WR Joseph Ngata, Clemson
• WR Jadon Haselwood, Arkansas
• TE Brady Russell, Colorado
• OT Chim Okorafor, Benedictine School
• OT Trevor Reid, Louisville
• LB Ben VanSumeren, Michigan State
• P/Okay Ty Zentner, Kansas State

As we are able to see, the Eagles have 9 UDFAs that cowl six positions, so let’s method this from a “at which place group is an UDFA more than likely to make the staff” method. This is similar factor brokers do. I’m going to be harsh about who isn’t a lock to make the staff as a result of the softer the depth chart is the higher the possibility an UDFA will make it.

Defensive again

Final 12 months the Eagles preliminary 53 man roster had 6 CBs and 4 S, in 2021 it was 5 CBs and 4 S. I’m lumping the defensive backs collectively for this train as a result of backup DBs who can not less than theoretically play CB and S stand a greater probability of creating the roster than those that can solely play one function.

CB locks: James Bradberry, Darius Slay, Avonte Maddox, Kelee Ringo

CB contenders: Mario Goodrich, Josh Jobe, Zech McPhearson, Josiah Scott, Grasping Williams

S locks: Reed Blankenship, Sydney Brown

S contenders: Terrell Edmunds, Justin Evans, Tristan McCollum, Okay’Von Wallace

UDFA: Mekhi Garner, Eli Ricks

Aside from the 4 returning starters and the 2 draft picks, I don’t assume anybody else within the secondary is completely protected.

Of the contenders who had been on the Eagles final 12 months, Josiah Scott performed essentially the most snaps in 2022 and was ineffective. Okay’Von Wallace entered 2022 with an opportunity to earn a much bigger function, he obtained overtaken on the depth chart by Blankenship. Zech McPhearson barely noticed the sphere as a result of Bradberry and Slay had been wholesome all 12 months, can’t fault him for that; however he additionally took reps in OTAs within the slot, which could possibly be nothing greater than “let’s attempt to discover a technique to get this man on the sphere” or it might point out that his he has to earn his roster spot. Josh Jobe made the 53 man roster as an UDFA however performed solely 12 snaps on protection, all within the first Giants blowout. Whereas a few of them will make the staff, it ought to shock nobody if any of them don’t make the minimize.

Not one of the gamers introduced in from different groups needs to be completely safe both. Terrell Edmunds had his fifth 12 months choice declined by the Steelers, they introduced him again on a one 12 months, $2.5M deal final 12 months, he’s making half that on a one 12 months contract with the Eagles. Grasping Williams began one sport final 12 months for the Browns. Justin Evans missed all of 2019, 2020, and 2021 and noticed inconsistent enjoying time with the Saints final 12 months. Tristin McCollum spent all 12 months on the Texans observe squad.

Ricks is essentially the most excessive profile of the UDFA class, a former 5 star recruit who was second-team All SEC and third-team All American as a real freshman at LSU in 2020. He transferred to Alabama for 2022 after which declared early, he was anticipated to be between a 2nd and sixth spherical decide relying on who you ask.

Garner has some intrigue. He transferred from a junior school to Louisiana as a security, transformed to a nook out of necessity attributable to damage, and impressed sufficient to switch to LSU final 12 months. Like Ricks, he was projected to be a late spherical decide. He has a superb athletic profile and positional versatility. He’s obtained hidden gem potential.

Each of them have, not less than on paper, CB/S versatility. Garner has beforehand performed it, and Ricks has measurement, ball expertise, and is a keen tackler.

Nevertheless, the Eagles have churned by means of observe squad caliber defensive backs over the previous two seasons looking for somebody who can stick. They’ve signed Andre Chachere, Blake Countess, Mac McCain, Nate Meadors, Obi Melifonwu, Jimmy Moreland, and Jaquiski Tartt as veteran free brokers; traded for Ugo Amadi (after which virtually instantly traded him away), Tay Gowan, Josiah Scott, and Kary Vincent; and signed Josh Blackwell, Reed Blankenship, Mario Goodrich, and Josh Jobe as UDFAs. There’s an honest probability that between now and roster cuts they create in one other DB.

UDFA probability: Medium

Vast Receiver

Locks: AJ Brown, Devonta Smith, Britain Covey

Contenders: Devon Allen, Tyrie Cleveland, Charleston Rambo, Greg Ward, Quez Watkins, Olamide Zaccheaus

UDFAs: Jadon Haselwood, Joseph Ngata

Covey is simply a lock as a result of the one different Eagles with punt return expertise are Boston Scott, Olamide Zacchaeus, Greg Ward, and Devonta Smith.

Two UDFA WRs on a staff that hardly performed threw to their 4th WR final 12 months might point out there’s an actual probability at a roster spot being obtainable. It’s not laborious to see why.

Quez Watkins wage balloons from $895k to $2.8M attributable to an escalator, the Eagles acquire extra cap area by chopping or buying and selling him than they do another participant, and he’s coming off a disappointing season. His place on the staff shouldn’t be thought-about safe.

Olamide Zaccheaus began 21 video games prior to now 2 seasons for the Falcons however gamers with higher resumes than his get minimize in camp on a regular basis throughout the league. And once more, I’m being harsh with who isn’t a lock as a result of if a UDFA goes to make the roster at some positions, similar to WR, it’s going to be on the expense of somebody considered protected.

Devon Allen is a novelty. The Greg Ward experiment was value a shot however he’s not an NFL WR. Charleston Rambo-nice title-was within the XFL and was decently productive. Tyrie Cleveland was drafted by the Broncos in 2020 and has 8 profession receptions. Moreover TE Dan Arnold entered the league as a WR, it’s doable he makes the staff as a twin backup TE and WR.

6’2” Haselwood and 6’3” Ngata’s finest probability to stay on the roster is that they’re each massive targets, one thing the Eagles lack (another excuse why 6’6” Arnold has an opportunity), Tyrie Cleveland is the one different WR on the roster over 6’1”. They’re additionally each former 5 star recruits, Haselwood was the highest WR within the 2019 class, Ngata the #6, so there’s some doable untapped potential.

UDFA probability: Low

Offensive Sort out

Locks: Lane Johnson, Jordan Mailata, Jack Driscoll

Contenders: Fred Johnson, Roderick Johnson, Brett Toth

UDFA: Chim Okorafor, Trevor Reid

OT is a spot to look at in camp. Jack Driscoll returns to cowl the correct aspect. However the Eagles haven’t really stuffed Andre Dillard’s backup LT/LG roster spot.

Fred Johnson has been within the NFL for 4 years and has a single sport profession excessive of seven snaps performed and that was in 2019. Roderick Johnson hasn’t performed since 2020. Brett Toth didn’t see the sphere in 2022. None of these are inspiring choices.

Okorafor performed within the NAIA, which is one other method of claiming he’s a developmental participant. There is no such thing as a higher place to get your grad diploma than Stoutland College however a Super Bowl contender placing a undertaking participant on the 53 man roster at OT seems like a stretch, however then Jordan Mailata had by no means performed when the Eagles drafted him after successful the Tremendous Bowl and he made the 53 man roster.

Trevor Reid has a 7’ wingspan and powerful athletic profile:

However he wants so as to add bulk and power. That doesn’t sound like a UDFA OT who will make the 53 man both.

The backup LT/LG may be on one other staff for the time being.

UDFA probability: Medium

Tight finish

Locks: Dallas Goedert, Jack Stoll

Contenders: Dan Arnold, Grant Calcaterra, Tyree Jackson, Dalton Keene

UDFA: Brady Russell

5 guys for one spot. I don’t like Brady Russell’s odds right here. Arnold is on his fifth staff in seven seasons and was signed in Could, although as acknowledged earlier his positional versatility provides him a possible benefit. Jackson is in his fifth 12 months in professional soccer, having been the Payments 4th QB in 2019 preseason and a backup QB within the XFL in 2020. The Eagles transformed him to TE in 2021 however he has spent most of his time as an Eagle injured. Keene performed half a dozen video games for the Patriots in 2020 and hasn’t seen the sphere since. Not feeling nice about any of their probabilities to stay. However due to the amount of fringe TEs they’ve introduced in it could appear that Grant Calcaterra may have his work minimize out to make the roster.

Russell might need gotten signed as a favor to his uncle Matt Russell, who works within the Eagles scouting division. However he’s one other potential late bloomer. A former stroll on at Colorado who labored his method as much as not only a scholarship but in addition a staff captain.

UDFA probability: Low

Off-ball Linebacker

Lock: Nakobe Dean

Contenders: Shaun Bradley, Christian Elliss, Kyron Johnson, Patrick Johnson, Nicholas Morrow, Davion Taylor

UDFA: Ben VanSumeren

I’m not calling Morrow a lock, bear in mind Corey Nelson? I’m tempted to think about Elliss a lock purely for particular groups, however I don’t have any confidence in how the staff has dealt with particular groups roster selections.

VanSumeren suits an analogous profile to the remainder of the UDFAs in that the Eagles are hoping there’s untapped potential there. He began at Michigan as a fullback (and performed WR in highschool) however switched to linebacker in 2020, then transferred to Michigan State for 2021. He couldn’t keep wholesome in 2022 however he blew up his professional day. Daniel Jeremiah felt he was draftable on his pro day alone.

He’s a superb athlete and a soccer participant which will get you a camp invite. We’ll see if it will get him any greater than that.

UDFA probability: Medium

Punter

It’s been a couple of years because the Eagles went to camp with a kicking or punting competitors. They need to have introduced in one other punter to camp final 12 months, so higher late than by no means. Ty Zenter is intriguing, as a result of he did every little thing at Kansas State and he’s nonetheless studying the place. He was twenty sixth within the nation in yards per punt, was 31 for 31 on additional factors, 11 of 11 on area objectives, and dealt with kickoffs. In highschool he performed basketball and soccer, not enjoying soccer till his senior 12 months. He began off at a junior school then transferred to Kansas State. To not hype him up however if you happen to’re going to signal an UDFA punter, one who was a multi-sport athlete and continues to be studying the place is an honest guess to take.

UDFA probability: Low

So it’s time to appear to be an fool and decide some.

One factor that stands out with this batch of UDFAs is that all of them match an an untapped bodily potential or late bloomer profile, which hasn’t at all times been the case for UDFA lessons.

Final 12 months three UDFAs made the preliminary 53 man roster (Reed Blankenship, Josh Jobe, and Josh Sills), in 2021 only one (Jack Stoll). I’ll break up the distinction and predict two UDFAs make the 53 man roster. I do know this can be unsuitable.

I’m going with Ben VanSumeren and Mekhi Garner.

For VanSumeren, there are two elements in his favor. One, the competitors is absolutely skinny at linebacker. Does anybody have any confidence in who the third finest LB on this staff is? And two, there’s an open place at each LB and on particular groups with Nakobe Dean graduating from backup to starter.

For Garner, his positional versatility is a bonus. Working his method up from junior school to a powerful G5 staff in Louisiana after which to LSU is the form of rising expertise groups ought to take of venture on.

Once more, I anticipate to be unsuitable about this. Hilariously unsuitable.