UDFA Tracker: Eagles Sign Undrafted Free Agents Following Draft

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By Paul Bowman, Sports Talk Philly Editor

The Eagles stuck with a best-available mindset in this draft and that, combines with a few trades, resulted in the teams making only five selections in the draft this year.

Naturally, this means the Eagles still have holes and open roster spots for camp. With no picks in the final round, it’s no surprise that the Eagles are getting right to work signing the players they think slipped through the cracks.

This page will be updated as more signings are reported.

Josh Jobe – Cornerback – Alabama

Jobe is a bit undersized, but still had a grade that should have seen him drafted at the beginning of day three. He’s willing to be highly physical, which it will be interesting to see if Jonathan Gannon utilizes, with a solid play recognition, but when he isn’t physical he can lose the receiver (man-to-man skills are better than zone) and if he is physical he can get flagged for being too much so. If he can strike a balance, that’d be great news for the Eagles. Recorded 38 tackles, six defensed passes and two interceptions in 2021, but 55 tackles, 11 defensed passes and two forced fumbles the prior year.

Source: SportsTrust Advisors, His Agent

Mario Goodrich – Cornerback – Clemson

Goodrich was a two-year starter at Clemson and carried a draftable grade among most services. He is a willing tackler, but lacks the speed that would have pushed him higher in the draft. He recorded two interceptions, 48 tackles, 11 defensed passes and a forced fumble in 2021.

Source: Tom Pelissero, NFL Network

Carson Strong – Quarterback – Nevada

Strong is another player with a high day three grade and was arguably a top-five prospect at the position who put up 4175 yards on 70% completion percentage in 2021. He has a 63 to 12 touchdown to interception ratio over the last two seasons. He’s a player who would need to develop more, but should have all the arm talent needed; he has not shown a strong ability to run or extend plays.

Source: Kristen Moran, Nevada Sports Net

Britain Covey – Wide Receiver – Utah

Covey had a very odd journey to date, having enrolled at Utah in 2015, missing two seasons for a religious mission trip to South America, then coming back and suffering an injury that essentially cost him the 2019 and 2020 seasons. In 2021, he recorded 514 yards on 52 receptions and added nearly 100 rushing yards. The best route to a roster spot for the former quarterback could be his return abilities, however, as he racked up 427 punt return yards (14.7 average) in 2021 as well as 360 (30 average) kick return yards.

Source: Utah Football

Josh Blackwell – Cornerback – Duke

Blackwell has the speed, but has not necessarily put it together and falls for jukes too often. He’s a raw talent that put up 35 tackles and seven defensed passes in 2021 and the Eagles hope that they will be able to help him clean up his technique to make him a true threat.

Source: Matt Lombardo

Reed Blankenship – Safety – Middle Tennessee

Blankenship is another player whose difficult to project at the NFL level because he is coming out of an FCS school, but he’s a strong tackler and willing to get involved in the run game. In 2021, he recorded an incredible 110 tackles (75 solo, 10 for loss) with a sack and one interception. He also added two forced fumbles, three recoveries (one for a touchdown) and eight defensed passes. He may not be a great cover option, but he’s a ballhawk and heavy hitter if the Eagles can give him the time to adjust to the new talent level.

Source: Rick Stockstill, Middle Tennessee Head Coach

Kennedy Brooks – Running Back – Oklahoma

Brooks opted out of the 2020 season due to COVID, but he otherwise had three straight seasons of over 1,000 rushing yards. He has good ball security and patience that should pay off behind the offensive line in Philadelphia, but he lacks burst. If he can become a stronger runner who always falls forward, he’ll be an excellent compliment to the Birds other receivers. Career statistics of 3,320 yards on 472 carries with 31 touchdowns.

Source: Jordan Shultz, The Game Day NFL

Josh Stills – Offensive Line – Oklahoma State

Yet another raw talent, the 322-pound offensive lineman out of Ohio has played every position on the line. Perhaps his movement through the line is part of what has impeded his ability to lock down all the fundamentals, but an aggressive run blocker on the Eagles is always of some value. The team will just need to decide if he can get to the point that he’s worth keeping and his versatility will certainly help him make that case that he’s someone to be kept around as a backup in a crowded room.

Source: Oklahoma State Football

William Dunkle – Guard – San Diego State

Dunkle is a large (6′ 4″, 328 lbs) and strong player and that’s about it. He has only ever played right guard so lacks positional flexibility and has flawed fundamentals at this point. That said, big and strong may be all he needs as Jordan Mailata, Sua Opeta and most recently Kayode Awosika have all stuck with the team fitting that same bill thanks to Jeff Stoutland.

Source: San Diego State Football

EJ Perry – Quarterback – Brown

Update: Perry reportedly agreed to a deal before Carson Strong. With Strong in the fold, he has chosen to sign with Jaxonville, where he can compete for QB2 reps instead of making a crowded room in Philly.

A two-year starter that had his 2020 season cancelled, Perry recorded 3033 yards and a 23 to 14 touchdown to interception ratio in 2021. He’s kind of the opposite of Strong with his mobility not being a question while his arm is. He’s a cerebral player, so there’s a decent chance he gets anticipation down. His mobility also means he could switch positions if quarterback doesn’t work out.

Source: Bill Burt, The Eagle-Tribune

Noah Elliss – Defensive Tackle – Idaho

Elliss had committed to Mississippi State, but was unable to meet the academic standards, so he enrolled at Idaho where he didn’t play football until his second season. In that seasons, he suffered a torn ACL and he tore his hamstring at the Combine, so there are injury concerns. Elliss is a player with the strength and size to succeed, but he has not developed the pass rush that the NFL would require (just one sack to go with his 46 tackles, 8.5 for loss in 2021) and he needs to work on his hands while rushing, so the Eagles are looking at him as another developmental option who, if he takes the step forward, would give their line incredible depth.

Source: Tom Pelissero, NFL Network

Ali Fayad – Edge – Western Michigan

Fayad certainly had a productive career in college, where he had 159 tackles with an incredible 53 of those for loss. Combined with his 28.5 sacks and eight forced fumbled (three recoveries), he has a nose for the big play. He’s a guy with plenty of speed, but he doesn’t necessarily have the strength that is typical of success at the NFL level. His speed and tackling should have him competing for a special teams role early, but his place on defense would need to be developed and schemed if his abilities remain as they do now.

Source: Matt Zenitz, On 3 Sports

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