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USA Today
4 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Can an Eagles UDFA keep the momentum going after his breakout game against the Bengals?
The undrafted free agent from Tarleton State has become the Training Camp Darling of 2025 after his six catches for 82 yards and a touchdown against the Bengals. Super Bowl teams are built through the NFL draft, but several legendary players in this league were undrafted and signed as free agents. The Eagles have done well finding key contributors after the draft, and most recently, safety Reed Blankenship, who came out of Middle Tennessee, played more snaps than any rookie in 2022, and has developed into a key contributor on a Super Bowl team. Most of the success stories have involved defensive players. Still, Darius Cooper is looking to join Corey Clement and Chad Lewis as undrafted players who could carve out a role in Philadelphia. The undrafted free agent from Tarleton State has become an Eagles training camp sleeper of 2025 after his six catches for 82 yards and a touchdown against the Bengals. Cooper has looked good throughout training camp and could lock down the fourth, fifth, or potentially sixth wide receiver spot. Attending a university tucked in the middle of Fort Worth and Waco, the St. Louis native made a name for himself after he earned first-team Associated Press FCS All-America honors in his senior season. The 5-foot-11, 210-pound receiver is athletic and finished second in Division I in receiving yards with 1,450 (the second most in single-season school history) and sixth in touchdowns with 14 (the third most in single-season school history) in 2024. In 48 career games, Cooper accumulated 164 catches for 3,185 yards and 29 touchdowns, averaging 19.4 yards per catch.
USA Today
5 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Notable Eagles players who are 25 and under heading into the 2025 NFL season
With the preparation for the second preseason game against the Cleveland Browns, we're looking at Philadelphia's notable talent under 25. The Eagles have a loaded roster and one of the NFL's youngest, with the average age under 24 and getting younger, with the franchise in possession of 13 NFL draft picks in 2026. With the preparation for the second preseason game against the Cleveland Browns, we're looking at Philadelphia's notable talent under 25. LB Jihaad Campbell: 21 Campbell has been lauded for his pass rush prowess, but his ability at linebacker and his penchant for bringing the ball carrier down are most exciting. Pro Football Focus said Campbell amassed a 5.9% missed tackle rate, totaling 30 coverage stops. DB Cooper DeJean: 22 DeJean logged 51 tackles (38 solo) as a rookie, including 0.5 sacks, one forced fumble, and three fumble recoveries across 16 regular-season games in 2024. DeJean's biggest and best moment came in Super Bowl LIX against the Chiefs, when he picked off Patrick Mahomes for a 38-yard interception return for a touchdown on his birthday. LB Smael Mondon: 22 Another Swiss army knife, the former Track and field star was a three-year starter at Georgia and played inside linebacker, outside linebacker, and slot CB. Like Campbell, Mondon Jr. is an elite tackler with a 7.8% missed tackle rate at Georgia. DB Andrew Mukuba: 22 C.J. Gardner-Johnson made his name in New Orleans and Philadelphia by displaying elite versatility at all three levels, while Mukuba presents a more hybrid and athletic model. According to Pro Football Focus, Mukuba earned an excellent grade in coverage (89.7). He forced an incompletion on 26.1% of his targets and allowed a 12.1 passer rating last season in coverage. RB Will Shipley: 22 The former Clemson star running back will battle A.J. Dillon for the backup role behind Saquon Barkley. As a rookie, Shipley rushed 30 times for 82 yards (2.7 YPC) across 16 regular-season appearances with the Eagles in 2024. He also secured all four targets for 35 yards and compiled 173 yards as a kick returner. Shipley, a 2024 fourth-round pick, logged a 77-yard run and a score, the first of his career, on just four carries versus Washington in the NFC Championship Game. LB Jeremiah Trotter Jr.: 22 As a rookie in 2024, Trotter recorded 25 tackles (nine solo), including 0.5 sacks, and one pass defense while appearing in all 17 regular-season games. He added five stops (four solo) across four postseason games. WR Darius Cooper: 23 A player to watch, the St. Louis, Missouri native joins the Eagles from Tarleton State, where he earned first-team Associated Press FCS All-America honors in his senior season. The 5-foot-11, 210-pound receiver is athletic and finished second in Division I in receiving yards with 1,450 (the second most in single-season school history) and sixth in touchdowns with 14 (the third most in single-season school history) in 2024. In 48 career games, Cooper accumulated 164 catches for 3,185 yards and 29 touchdowns, averaging 19.4 yards per catch. OL Myles Hinton: 23 Hinton is the son of a former NFL star. His father, Chris, was a seven-time Pro Bowl offensive lineman after the Denver Broncos drafted him in the top five of the 1983 NFL Draft. During his time at Stanford, Hinton would play 22 games with 16 starts in three seasons with the Cardinal before entering the transfer portal and landing with the Michigan Wolverines. He was a partial starter after opening the 2023 season in the lineup for the National Championship run in 2023 before returning for 2024 and logging 10 starts. DB Mac McWilliams: 23 McWilliams is 5'10" and 181 pounds and compensates for his lack of elite size with quick footwork, aggressiveness, and clever play in coverage. McWilliams' versatility and athleticism give him the potential to contribute as a backup cornerback and special-teams standout. DT Moro Ojomo: 23 Ojomo returns to his home country just weeks after the Eagles' 40-22 win over the Chiefs, which secured their second-ever championship title. Ojomo significantly contributed to the Eagles' victory, logging a sack. Philadelphia didn't land Walter Nolen and waited until Round 4 to land Ty Brown out of Nebraska. Even with the pick, Ojomo still maintains his role as a pass-rushing defensive tackle, who can play on the edge in specific situations, and potentially replace Milton Williams's pass-rush prowess. OLB Antwaun Powell-Ryland Jr.: 23 The Hokies' pass rusher was named a 2nd team All-American last season after logging 16 sacks and ranked second in the ACC with 19 tackles for a loss. RB ShunDerrick Powell: 23 Powell rushed for over 4,000 yards in his collegiate career with 42 total touchdowns. He had eight 100-yard games in 2024. The two-time FCS All-American is a three-down running back and potential special-teams standout. CB Eli Ricks: 23 The former Alabama cornerback is solid and looking to maintain a roster spot in year three. CB Kelee Ringo: 23 The Eagles lost Darius Slay (Steelers), James Bradberry (free agent), Avonte Maddox (Lions), and Isaiah Rodgers (Vikings) in free agency and signed Adoree' Jackson. Even with those moves, Philadelphia didn't draft a cornerback until the fifth round when they selected Mac McWilliams out of UCF. Williams (5-10, 191) will add some depth on the outside and in the slot, but he was a fifth-round pick for a reason. Ringo is losing his competition with Adoree Jackson. DT Jalen Carter: 24 After finishing with 4.5 sacks and a team-high 45 pressures, Carter was named second-team All-Pro in just his second season in the NFL. At 23 years old, he also became the youngest defensive tackle to make the Pro Bowl in franchise history. DT Gabe Hall: 24 A rugged and versatile player at Baylor, a rookie free agent out of Baylor last season (6-6, 295 pounds), was on the practice squad for the entire season. He'll need a decisive training camp, but he can rush the passer and bring athleticism to the defensive tackle position. OLB Jalyx Hunt: 24 Hunt, who offers elite athleticism, is likely to replace Graham. Viewed as a developmental prospect with a high ceiling, the Eagles selected him out of Houston Christian in the third round. During the first 10 games of his rookie season, Hunt played 42 snaps. Down the stretch with Bryce Huff on injured reserve, Hunt played under 30 snaps per game, logging 31 tackles, three sacks, and two forced fumbles during the final seven regular-season games and the playoffs run. CB Quinyon Mitchell: 24 According to PFF, Mitchell was one of just three qualified cornerbacks, along with DeJean and Christian Benford, to post at least a 75.0 in both categories last season. Mitchell ranked 3rd among NFL CBs with 16 forced incompletions, trailing only Zyon McCollum (17) and Denzel Ward (17). He was 3rd among CBs in yards allowed per coverage snap (0.8) behind Pat Surtain (0.6) and Derek Stingley (0.7) (min. 600 coverage snaps). DT Ty Robinson: 24 In 2023, Robinson was an Honorable Mention All-Big 12 Conference after playing in all 12 games with 11 starts (29 tackles, 4 TFLs with one sack, 6 PBUs). In 2024, during his final season with the Huskers, Robinson was named Third-team All-Big Ten Conference after starting all 13 games (37 tackles, 12.5 TFLs with seven sacks, 4 PBUs, FF). OLB Nolan Smith: 24 Out of 72 edge rushers who played at least 500 snaps last year, Smith's 74.0 Pro Football Focus run defense grade ranked 13th. The dynamic pass rusher is a star in the making. WR Johnny Wilson: 24 Wilson, whom the Eagles selected in the sixth round of last year's NFL Draft, made 16 regular-season appearances during his rookie season in Philadelphia. Wilson finished with five catches for 38 yards and a touchdown. He played on more than 50 percent of Philadelphia's offensive snaps just three times last season, and will look to carve out a role in 2025. DB Sydney Brown: 25 The hard-hitting safety currently has the edge in the safety competition with rookie Andrew Mukuba. DT Jordan Davis: 25 The former Georgia All-American had his fifth-year option exercised, and he'll look to dominate in year four. WR Jahan Dotson: 25 Dotson caught 19 of 33 targets for 216 yards in 17 regular-season games with the Eagles in 2024 after being acquired in a trade from Washington. He also rushed once for 13 yards. Despite his struggles, Dotson played 649 offensive snaps during the regular season for Philadelphia, working as a No. 3 receiver behind A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith. OL Cam Jurgens: 25 Jurgens is a Pro Bowl center and Jason Kelce's hand-picked successor. QB Tanner McKee: 25 The third-year quarterback led the Eagles to a 34-27 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals, going 20-of-25 for 252 yards and three total touchdowns. OL Tyler Steen: 25 The third-year right guard is finally hitting his stride and will earn a starting role for 2025.
USA Today
07-08-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Eagles vs. Colts: 10 players on roster bubble to watch in Philadelphia's preseason opener
With kickoff fast approaching, we're looking at ten players on the roster bubble to keep an eye on Eagles preseason opener After weeks of waiting and competing against each other, the Philadelphia Eagles will take the field at Lincoln Financial Field in an intriguing preseason opener against the Cincinnati Bengals on Thursday night. It's unknown if Jalen Hurts, Saquon Barkley, and key Eagles starters will play with two days of joint practices with the Browns approaching. With kickoff fast approaching, we're looking at ten players on the roster bubble to keep an eye on. RB ShunDerrick Powell Explosive players are essential in this version of the NFL, and Powell will look to prove that he can run between the tackles and contribute in the passing game. WR Ainias Smith Smith spent the off-season training and learning from Philadelphia's All-Pro wide receiver, A.J. Brown, with the two players running the steps at Lincoln Financial Field. Drafted in the fifth round last year, Smith caught four passes for 35 yards and a touchdown when the team rested its primary starters in Week 18. Still, he was a non-factor on offense during his previous six appearances in the regular season and spent most of the season on the PUP list and injured reserve. He'll enter 2025 looking to prove he can contribute to the passing game and special teams. WR Elijah Cooks Cooks signed with the Eagles' practice squad on Jan. 14 after spending most of the 2024 season on the Jaguars' practice squad. The 26-year-old wideout has been a training camp standout and will look to secure the No. 4 wideout role. WR Darius Cooper A player to watch, the St. Louis, Missouri native joins the Eagles from Tarleton State, where he earned first-team Associated Press FCS All-America honors in his senior season. The 5-foot-11, 210-pound receiver is athletic and finished second in Division I in receiving yards with 1,450 (the second most in single-season school history) and sixth in touchdowns with 14 (the third most in single-season school history) in 2024. In 48 career games, Cooper accumulated 164 catches for 3,185 yards and 29 touchdowns, averaging 19.4 yards per catch. OL Cameron Williams The 6-foot-5, 335-pound Williams, a true junior, projects as an NFL tackle. He started 16 games for the Longhorns and played in 37 games, serving as an anchor of an offensive line that was a Joe Moore Award finalist in 2024. OL Myles Hinton The former Michigan offensive tackle is powerful, and during the first eight practices of training camp, Hinton has been showing plenty of promise and has even started to get some second-team reps at left tackle. DT Gabe Hall A rugged and versatile player at Baylor, a rookie free agent out of Baylor last season (6-6, 295 pounds), was on the practice squad for the entire season. He'll need a decisive training camp, but he can rush the passer and bring athleticism to the defensive tackle position. Edge Rusher Ochaun Mathis Mathis was a sixth-round draft pick of the Los Angeles Rams in 2023 out of Nebraska. Mathis is 25 years old. He's 6-foot-5, 250 pounds and will look to put his versatility on display. OL Hollin Pierce The 6-8, 341-pound Trenton, New Jersey native was Rutgers' first offensive lineman to earn All-America status since Anthony Davis in 2009. He also earned second-team All-Big Ten honors in 2024 after starting 13 games at left tackle. DB Maxen Hook A former teammate of star cornerback Quinyon Mitchell, Hook was a first-team All-MAC selection in 2024, his third straight season earning the honor. He was the third Toledo Rocket to make an All-MAC team in four seasons. Hook could be this year's Reed Blankenship after accepting an invitation to the Reese's Senior Bowl and finishing 24th in the nation with 8.92 tackles per game. LB Lance Dixon A former five-star recruit and No. 13 prospect coming out of high school, Dixon had 46 tackles and two forced fumbles in 2024 for Toledo after transferring from West Virginia, where he spent three seasons. The former safety turned linebacker is 6-2, 233 pounds, and will need a breakout performance.
USA Today
27-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Eagles' 2025 undrafted free agents with the best chance to make the 53-man roster
With training camp fast approaching, we're looking at five undrafted free agents with the best chance to make the Philadelphia Eagles 53-man roster. The Eagles have star power at just about every position, and unlike past years, it'll be hard for an undrafted rookie to crack the starting lineup, let alone make the 53-man roster. Philadelphia added nine talented players who will be motivated by all 32 teams passing on them during the three-day event's selection process. The Birds added five on the offensive side of the football and two powerful offensive linemen. With the July training camp less than a month away, we're looking at five undrafted free agents with the best chance to make the 53-man roster. OL Marcus Tate-Clemson Philadelphia signed Tate (6-5, 321 pounds) after the former Clemson star participated in the Eagles' Rookie Camp earlier this spring. A four-year starter, Tate saw action in 42 games (37 starts), logging 2,502 snaps during his Tigers career. Tate became just the third true freshman offensive lineman in Clemson history to start a season opener in 2021. WR Darius Cooper – Tarleton State A player to watch, the St. Louis, Missouri native joins the Eagles from Tarleton State, where he earned first-team Associated Press FCS All-America honors in his senior season. The 5-foot-11, 210-pound receiver is athletic and finished second in Division I in receiving yards with 1,450 (the second most in single-season school history) and sixth in touchdowns with 14 (the third most in single-season school history) in 2024. In 48 career games, Cooper accumulated 164 catches for 3,185 yards and 29 touchdowns, averaging 19.4 yards per catch. DB Maxen Hook – Toledo A former teammate of star cornerback Quinyon Mitchell, Hook was a first-team All-MAC selection in 2024, his third straight season earning the honor. He was the third Toledo Rocket to make an All-MAC team in four seasons. Hook could be this year's Reed Blankenship after finishing 24th in the nation with 8.92 tackles per game. Hook finished his career with 356 tackles, seven interceptions, and 22 passes defended in 52 games. OL Hollin Pierce – Rutgers The 6-8, 341-pound Trenton, New Jersey native was Rutgers' first offensive lineman to earn All-America status since Anthony Davis in 2009. He also earned second-team All-Big Ten honors in 2024 after starting 13 games at left tackle. RB ShunDerrick Powell – Central Arkansas Powell rushed for over 4,000 yards in his collegiate career with 42 total touchdowns. He had eight 100-yard games in 2024. The two-time FCS All-American is a three-down running back and potential special-teams standout.
USA Today
30-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Eagles OTAs: 5 under-the-radar players to watch on offense
Eagles OTAs: 5 under-the-radar players to watch on offense We're looking at five under-the-radar players to watch during the Philadelphia Eagles' three remaining OTA sessions and the mandatory minicamp The Eagles went indoors on Wednesday to hold Day 2 of OTAs in the practice bubble with constant rain going on up and down the Metro Atlantic and the East Coast. The second of six workouts saw Dallas Goedert, Saquon Barkley, and plenty of big names in attendance, while DeVonta Smith, Bryce Huff, and others were absent for personal reasons. Philadelphia has four sessions remaining and will return to the field on Friday, and then they'll be off until Monday and Tuesday, before wrapping up OTAs on Thursday. With a June 10 mandatory minicamp looming before the summer break, we're examining five under-the-radar players to watch. OL Myles Hinton The Eagles drafted three offensive linemen on Day 3. Still, Hinton is intriguing as a potential swing tackle early in his career and will likely compete with veteran Kendall Lamm for that role. WR Terrace Marshall The former LSU star, still only 24, was once a second-round pick in 2021 but has had a disappointing NFL career. Marshall's best season came in 2022, when he had 28 catches for 490 yards and one score with the Panthers. Last season with the Raiders, Marshall had just three catches for 41 yards and offers intriguing athleticism as a long shot. WR Ainias Smith The rookie wideout caught four passes for 35 yards and a touchdown when the team rested its primary starters in Week 18. Still, he was a non-factor on offense during his previous six appearances in the regular season and spent most of the season on the PUP list and injured reserve. He'll enter 2025 looking to prove he can contribute to the passing game and special teams. FB/LB Ben VanSumeren The ultimate throwback player, VanSumeren, is coming back from a knee injury that ended his 2024 season early, and he's also embracing a position switch. VanSumeren, who was signed as an undrafted linebacker a few years ago, is now a full-time fullback for the Eagles and even switched his jersey number to 43. The special team's standout will hang his hat on opening holes for Saquon Barkley. RB/KR/PR Avery Williams Williams, 26, was signed primarily to be a return specialist, but he has played on both sides of the ball during his NFL career. With the Eagles, Williams will play on offense and could add versatility at key positions. WR Darius Cooper – Tarleton State A player to watch, the St. Louis, Missouri native joins the Eagles from Tarleton State, where he earned first-team Associated Press FCS All-America honors in his senior season. The 5-foot-11, 210-pound receiver is athletic and finished second in Division I in receiving yards with 1,450 (the second most in single-season school history) and sixth in touchdowns with 14 (the third most in single-season school history) in 2024. In 48 career games, Cooper accumulated 164 catches for 3,185 yards and 29 touchdowns, averaging 19.4 yards per catch. OL Hollin Pierce – Rutgers The 6-8, 341-pound Trenton, New Jersey native was Rutgers' first offensive lineman to earn All-America status since Anthony Davis in 2009. He also earned second-team All-Big Ten honors in 2024 after starting 13 games at left tackle. WR Taylor Morin – Wake Forest Morin is Wake Forest's all-time leading pass catcher after logging 2,974 yards throughout his career and finished second all-time in school history in receptions (227) and fourth in touchdowns (21). Morin was a 2024 All-ACC Honorable Mention after picking up a team-high 64 catches and 756 yards. Morin has also been used as a punt returner, finishing second in program history in career punt return yards (809).
