Eagles Players Who Need Impressive Camp to Avoid Being Cut
After suffering an embarrassing first-round playoff loss in January, the Philadelphia Eagles weren't content to run things back in 2024.
Philly attacked free agency with a purpose, adding the likes of C.J. Gardner-Johnson, Saquon Barkley, Devin White, Bryce Huff and Parris Campbell to help fill voids. The Eagles then targeted needs in the early rounds of April's draft.
New additions like Barkley and rookie corner Quinyon Mitchell should have secured roster spots, regardless of how they perform during training camp, which is set to begin on July 23. Not all players, however, will have that leeway.
Teams can carry up to 90 players in camp but will have to trim that number to 53 players by August 27.
The Eagles are hoping that the coming season includes a return trip to the Super Bowl, so only the top 53 players are likely to be on the roster in Week 1. Here, we'll examine three veterans who may need stellar camps to wind up among that group.
WR John Ross
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Wide receiver John Ross last appeared in an NFL game during the 2021 season. However, he's eyeing a comeback and got an opportunity with Philadelphia when free-agent addition DeVante Parker unexpectedly decided to retire.
Ross will have a chance to stick, but he'll need to impress during training camp to do it. The Eagles finished the 2023 season with six wideouts on their roster, and they have two locks in A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith. Reserve receiver and punt returner Britain Covey probably has a secure spot as well.
Campbell should get every opportunity to earn the third-receiver role, while rookies Ainias Smith and Johnny Wilson may both get the chance to develop on the active roster.
For Ross to make the regular season roster, he'll need to prove that he's more than the 4.22 speed that got him drafted ninth overall back in 2017. In four years with the Cincinnati Bengals and one with the New York Giants, Ross never established himself as more than an inconsistent deep threat.
Ross' best statistical season was a 506-yard campaign in 2019, though he only provided a passer rating of 84.4 when targeted that year.
Speed is great, but Jalen Hurts needs more reliability from his ancillary targets. If Ross can't prove that he can provide it, he'll likely head to the practice squad or search or another opportunity elsewhere.
Edge Julian Okwara
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Pass-rusher Julian Okwara was a third-round pick in the 2020 draft and spent four seasons with the Detroit Lions before making his way to Philadelphia as a free agent. He has flashed some potential as a pro—he had a five-sack campaign in 2021—but has never emerged as a full-time player.
Okwara missed time on injured reserve in both 2020 and 2022 and appeared in only nine games with one start this past season.
The problem for Okwara is that the Eagles aren't particularly short on pass-rushing talent. They did trade Haason Reddick this offseason, but they also signed Huff and used a third-round pick on Jalyx Hunt.
With Brandon Graham, Josh Sweat, Patrick Johnson and 2023 first-round pick Nolan Smith Jr. all returning, Okwara will need to stand out to earn a roster spot. Johnson is probably the only other player in the group on the roster bubble, but it's worth noting that he played at least 74 percent of the special-teams snaps in each of the past two seasons.
While the Eagles can only save $676,471 by releasing Okwara, he's not going to stick on the active roster without earning a place in the pass-rushing rotation and/or showing that he can outperform Johnson on special teams.
DB James Bradberry
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If the Eagles weren't firmly in win-now mode, they probably wouldn't give any thought to releasing defensive back James Bradberry. Doing so would cost the team $15.1 million in dead money while providing no 2024 cap savings.
However, Philadelphia is chasing a championship and will be looking to find the 53 best players at any cost. Based on last season's performance, Bradberry isn't one of them. He started 16 games in 2023 but allowed an opposing passer rating of 114.3 in coverage.
The Eagles are trying to salvage their investment in Bradberry by moving the 30-year-old from cornerback to safety. It's a logical choice after Philly added both Mitchell and Cooper DeJean to its cornerback room in the draft.
To stick, though, Bradberry will have to show that he can thrive in a new position and play more efficiently than he did last season. Even then, it's going to be a challenge.
The Eagles carried only three safeties on their active roster at the end of the 2023 season, and Gardner-Johnson, Reed Blankenship and 2023 third-round pick Sydney Brown are near-locks to make the final 53.
Philadelphia may also try to trade Bradberry, as doing so would save $1.2 million in 2024 cap space. If Bradberry doesn't excite in camp and the Eagles find no takers, however, he'll be a very real cut candidate.
*Contract nformation via Spotrac. Advanced statistics from Pro Football Reference.
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