Philadelphia is retaining most of their final practice squad from the 2024 season.
Now that the Philadelphia Eagles’ Super Bowl season is over, their roster expands from the in-season limit of 53 players to the offseason limit of 90 players.
The team added to their roster on Friday (yes, their Super Bowl parade day) by making 13 signings, according to the NFL’s official transaction wire.
Here they are in last name alphabetical order:
- DB Tariq Castro-Fields
- WR Elijah Cooks
- RB Tyrion Davis-Price
- LB Dallas Gant
- WR Danny Gray
- DT Gabe Hall
- DE K.J. Henry
- DE Ochaun Mathis
- TE Nick Muse
- DB Parry Nickerson
- DB Andre’ Sam
- OT Laekin Vakalahi (international exemption)
- DB A.J. Woods
You’ll notice that almost all of these players finished the season on the Eagles’ practice squad (Cooks is the exception but he previously spent one week on the PS in the playoffs). It’s standard practice for teams to sign these guys to contracts that allow them to join the offseason roster. Most of them will likely be around for training camp and the preseason games, though they’re certainly at risk of being cut at any point.
There are examples of these kind of former practice squad members developing into roster-worthy players. Trevor Booker, E.J. Jenkins, Tristin McCollum, and Brett Toth finished the 2023 season on the practice squad before finishing the 2024 season on the Eagles’ roster.
With that in mind, here are some quick thoughts on each signing.
Tariq Castro-Fields
It’s possible that neither Darius Slay nor Isaiah Rodgers will be back next season. The Eagles will need some more CB depth. TCF might be able to push for a roster spot.
Elijah Cooks
Cook is a relatively big wide receiver at 6’4”, 215 pounds. Maybe he’ll be this summer’s Joseph Ngata.
Tyrion Davis-Price
TDP really struggled as a pass-catcher last offseason but he showed some juice as a runner. He would’ve made the roster if the Eagles felt the need to keep four running backs, which they didn’t. With Kenny Gainwell potentially leaving in free agency, perhaps TDP could end up as RB3 behind Saquon Barkley and Will Shipley.
Dallas Gant
The Eagles have uncertainty at linebacker with Zack Baun and Oren Burks on expiring contracts. Nakobe Dean and Ben VanSumeren, meanwhile, suffered season-ending injuries in 2024. Perhaps Gant could sneak his way onto the roster as a depth linebacker.
Danny Gray
The Eagles added Gray to their practice squad in September 2024. Could be interesting to get a look at the former third-round pick (No. 105 overall) during offseason practices and preseason games. Could contend for a WR5/WR6 role.
Gabe Hall
Hall is one of just two Eagles 2024 UDFA signings who’s still with the team. If Milton Williams leaves in free agency, the Eagles will need more interior defensive line help. There could be an opportunity for Hall to step up as a depth option.
K.J. Henry
Brandon Graham might retire. Josh Sweat could very well leave in free agency. Bryce Huff might be a lost cause. The Eagles need edge rusher help and Henry has some NFL experience with 435 career defensive snaps played.
Ochaun Mathis
Mathis will join Henry in competing for a spot in the Eagles’ edge rusher rotation.
Nick Muse
Muse has it pretty good. He only originally joined the Eagles on January 22 and now has a Super Bowl ring. He’ll seemingly compete for the third tight end job.
Parry Nickerson
Nickerson, a journeyman with three starts in 30 career games played, gave the Eagles some good practice reps as a depth nickel defender last offseason. He could do that again this summer.
Andre’ Sam
Sam could be coming for the aforementioned Tristin McCollum’s spot as a depth safety who mainly plays on special teams.
Laekin Vakalahi
Vakalahi is an international exemption who joined the Eagles last year despite never previously playing football. Expecting him to be the next Jordan Mailata is unfair but the Eagles are interested in his long-term potential. Due to his limited experience, the team barely trusted him to play in the preseason last summer. That could change this year with more experience under his belt.
A.J. Woods
The Pitt alumnus will compete for a roster spot as a depth defensive back.
Not retained
Five players who finished the season on the Eagles’ practice squad but were not retained and are thus currently free agents available to sign with any team: FB Khari Blasingame, LB Nicholas Morrow, DE Charles Harris, QB Ian Book, and WR Kyle Philips. It’s possible the Eagles will re-sign any of them at some point but it’s also quite possible the team and/or players are moving on.
