Marcio Santosâ coach wishes him âbest of luckâ as Mark Pope visits Santos and his agent in Israel
Kentucky's Mark Pope visits Marcio Santos in Israel, offers support.
The Philadelphia Eagles signed eight undrafted free agents following the 2026 NFL draft. Four of these rookies have a strong chance to secure a spot on the 53-man roster during training camp.
The Philadelphia Eagles just wrapped up the 2026 NFL draft, selecting eight prospects. Most, if not all, of them are going to make the 53-man roster for the upcoming season.
But thereâs a chance that an undrafted free agent or two steals a roster spot.
The Eagles are reportedly signing eight undrafted free agents. Letâs take a look at four with the best chance of turning heads in training camp and snagging a spot on the 53-man roster.
Deontae Lawson, LB, Alabama
Height/weight: 6-foot-3, 224 pounds
Stats: 232 tackles, 16 1/2 TFLs in 37 starts (2023-25)
Roster competition: Jeremiah Trotter Jr., Smael Mondon, Chandler Martin, Chance Campbell
Chances of making the 53-man: Zack Baun, the 2024 All-Pro, and Jihaad Campbell, the 2025 first-rounder, are locks. Trotter, the reliable 23-year-old who logged 926 snaps (199 defensive, 727 special teams) last year, has proved enough to be a lock. The Eagles likely wonât carry more than four linebackers on the 53-man roster, leaving one spot, maybe two, up for grabs.
Lawson is really competing against Mondon, the 2025 fifth-round pick, as well as Martin and Campbell, a pair of low-cost free agent signings. Mondon logged only 14 defensive snaps as a rookie. Thereâs an opening for Lawson â a fringe top-100 prospect, per ESPN, who was expected to be drafted â to outperform and overtake Mondon in training camp.
The Eagles are signing eight undrafted free agents, including notable players like Deontae Lawson from Alabama.
Undrafted free agents can provide depth and unexpected talent, potentially impacting team performance and roster dynamics.
Typically, the Eagles will finalize their 53-man roster with a mix of drafted players and undrafted free agents, often including around eight to ten rookies.
Performance in training camp, positional needs, and competition with drafted players are key factors in determining if undrafted rookies make the roster.
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Alabama vs. Missouri 2024
Jaeden Roberts, OG, Alabama
Height/weight: 6-foot-5, 333 pounds
Stats: Started 25 games from 2023-25 (only four in 2025)
Roster competition: Drew Kendall, Micah Morris, Cam Williams, Willie Lampkin, Myles Hinton
Chances of making the 53-man: The Eagles will likely roster 10 linemen. Lane Johnson, Cam Jurgens, Landon Dickerson, Tyler Steen and Jordan Mailata are starters. Fred Johnson is the swing tackle. Markel Bell, the third-round rookie tackle, is a lock. That leaves three spots.
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With Brett Toth and Matt Pryor leaving, there are reserve spots to be had. But the Eagles really like Kendall, the 2025 fifth-round pick whoâs expected to back up Jurgens at center. Williams, the 2025 sixth-round tackle, has also made a solid impression.
As things stand, it looks like the final spot will come down to Roberts and Morris, the rookie out of Georgia. If itâs tight, Morris will get the nod as a draft pick. Roberts will have to dominate.
DaeâQuan Wright, TE, Ole Miss
Height/weight: 6-foot-4, 246 pounds
Stats: 66 catches, 1,029 yards, 9 TDs, 15.6 yards per reception from 2024-25
Roster competition: Cameron Latu, Grant Calcaterra, E.J. Jenkins, Jaheim Bell, Stone Smartt
Chances of making the 53-man: Dallas Goedert and second-round rookie Eli Stowers are locks. Johnny Mundt, the blocking tight end with strong ties to new offensive coordinator Sean Mannion, is expected to have a role.
Calcaterra, Jenkins, Bell and Smartt are likely to be cut and/or stashed on the practice squad. And perhaps Wright meets the same fate considering Latuâs special teams impact.
But Wright was expected to be drafted in the fifth or sixth round. Heâs a big play waiting to happen with 12 catches of 20-plus yards in 2025. He has training camp standout written all over him. And if Wright does make that kind of impression, donât be surprised if he makes the 53.
Rocco Underwood, LS, Florida
Height/weight: 6-foot-3, 231 pounds
Stats/accolades: 2024 Patrick Mannelly Award winner (top long-snapper in college football)
Roster competition: N/A
Chances of making the 53-man: Well, this could be rather easy for Underwood. The Eagles donât have a long-snapper on the roster. Now, that could change. Charley Hughlett and Cal Adomitis occupied the role last year and are both currently free agents.
If kicker Jake Elliott and holder Braden Mann arenât pleased with Underwood, the Eagles could sign a vet. But for now, itâs Underwoodâs job (and spot on the roster) to lose.
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