The Philadelphia Eagles trimmed their team down to 53 players but they’re not done tweaking the roster by any means.
Take it from Howie Roseman:
“I would say we’re not done here. We’re not done. We’ll see what happens in the next 24 hours. I think I said this the last time we spoke, we got a lot of picks here and we’re happy to use those picks in the draft, but I think for us, the early part of the season, September, we have to see what we have and if we need something, I’ll do whatever I can to help this football team and be aggressive. Jeffrey [Lurie] gives me that opportunity to do that. I don’t think that we’re done, this is a work in progress.”
Now that the NFL roster cuts deadline has passed, the Birds have an opportunity to add some players who were let go by other teams.
Claiming a player off waivers won’t be easy for the Eagles since the reigning Super Bowl LIX champions are dead last in the order. They’ll need literally every other team to pass on a player for them to have a chance at him. But it’s not an impossible scenario; they previously claimed D.J. Alexander off waivers in 2018 after winning Super Bowl LII.
The Eagles are able to avoid the waiver process when it comes to vested veterans. Players with more than four credited seasons are able to sign with any team after being released.
Let’s take a look at some players that could interest the Eagles in both categories.
SUBJECT TO WAIVERS
WR BRITAIN COVEY
The Eagles opted not to tender Covey as a restricted free agent this offseason, which made him an unrestricted free agent. The Eagles then signed return specialist Avery Williams, which prompted Covey to look for a new NFL home. Covey inked a one-year deal with the Los Angeles Rams … who waived him this week.
With the Eagles currently lacking a clear-cut answer at punt returner, signing Covey to the practice squad makes too much sense not to happen. They can temporarily elevate him to handle those duties early in the season and then figure out if they should add him to the roster or not later on.
CB SAMUEL WOMACK III
The Eagles reportedly tried to acquire Womack off waivers last year but lost out to the Indianapolis Colts, who ranked higher in the claiming order.
The 2022 fifth-round pick (No. 172 overall) by the San Francisco 49ers made eight starts in 17 games played last year, logging two interceptions and nine passes defensed. For what it’s worth, Womack ranked 25th out of 128 cornerbacks graded by Pro Football Focus. His Pro Football Reference numbers are less encouraging; he allowed six touchdowns and a 111.3 passer rating when targeted.
Still, Womack was believed to be a “tough cut” for the Colts:
Womack is dealing with an injury, which adds uncertainty to the decision. He also played a lot of snaps for the Colts in 2024 and had really good ball production. But as camp went on and the Colts got healthier at cornerback with Julius Brents and Jaylon Jones returning, along with the addition of Xavien Howard, Womack seemed to get squeezed out.
Given the Eagles’ uncertainty at CB2, it could be good to add the 26-year-old Womack as another potential option to eventually pivot to if/when Adoree’ Jackson struggles. He has versatility to play both outside and inside.
CB JULIUS “JUJU” BRENTS
While we’re on the topic of Colts cornerbacks, let’s stick with the aforementioned Brents, who was a second-round pick (No. 44 overall) in the 2023 NFL Draft. Brents notably had a pre-draft visit with the Eagles. He’s made nine starts in 11 career games played with one interception, one forced fumble, and six passes defensed to show for it.
Again, the Eagles could use another option who has the potential to emerge if CB2 goes very wrong for them.
WR MALACHI CORLEY
Eagles senior personnel director/advisor to the general manager Joe Douglas absolutely LOVED this dude when he was the New York Jets’ general manager.
The Jets traded No. 72 and No. 157 overall to move up to No. 65 (first pick of the third round) to draft the Western Kentucky wide receiver.
Corley disappointed as a rookie, however. He logged just six targets in nine total games played, catching three passes for 16 yards. He did have two rushing attempts result in 26 yards … but he also had a fumble.
The Jets cutting Corley after just one season might be an indication that he’s just not a legitimate NFL player, as our associates over at Gang Green Nation wrote about. But if he manages to go through waivers unclaimed, the Eagles could take a shot on the 23-year-old’s upside as a practice squad addition.
TE JELANI WOODS
As a third-round rookie in 2022, Woods overlapped with then-Colts interim offensive coordinator/play-caller and current Eagles passing game coordinator Parks Frazier. The best stretch of Woods’ career came when Frazier was in charge of the Colts’ offense.
Of course, that’s not really saying much since Woods never played a regular season NFL game after that. He missed the entirety of 2023 and 2024 due to injury issues. Perhaps those have taken their toll on him.
But maybe not? Woods did have seven grabs for 75 yards in the preseason.
The Eagles might just opt to bring E.J. Jenkins back on the practice squad to be their fourth tight end behind Dallas Goedert, Grant Calcaterra, and Kylen Granson. But with Jenkins failing to show progress from last year, Woods might offer more upside.
RB FRANK GORE JR.
The Eagles drafted Jeremiah Trotter Jr. after having Jeremiah Trotter Sr. It’s only right for them to have Frank Gore Jr. after having Frank Gore.
VESTED VETERANS
S MARCUS EPPS
Eppsy!
The former starting Eagles safety was released by the New England Patriots. Reports indicate Epps asked to be cut, perhaps with the idea he could find a better path to playing time elsewhere.
A return to Philly could make sense, especially if Andrew Mukuba’s hamstring injury prevents him from practicing leading up to Week 1.
With the Eagles only keeping four safeties, Epps could be a nice depth option who can also help out on special teams.
WR ZACH PASCAL
Pascal failed to make the New York Giants’ roster. The Nick Sirianni favorite is a logical addition to the practice squad, especially in the aftermath of Johnny Wilson’s season-ending injury. Pascal is capable of doing the “dirty work” as a blocker and special teams contributor.
CB MIKE HILTON
I don’t think this is realistic since 1) he’ll probably end up reuniting with Lou Anarumo in Indy and 2) the Eagles will probably keep Cooper DeJean in the slot but Hilton has been a pretty good nickel corner in the past. And if the Birds can’t find a good CB2 option, it might eventually make sense to move DeJean out there and find a new nickel. Let me be clear: I don’t think moving DeJean is ideal. I’m not itching to do it. But the Eagles might not have a choice if the CB2 situation turns out to be a disaster, which can’t be ruled out.
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