Who’ll Be The One?

Whether it’s been Reed Blankenship, T.J. Edwards, Eli Ricks, Britain Covey or Josh Jobe, recent history supports the Eagles’ success of winning outside the margins.

The five aforementioned – all signed as undrafted free agents – made their respective marks in workmanlike fashion, climbing the ranks and holding down meaningful roles for the Eagles at one time or another.

Those names, relevant as they are, qualify as merely a handful of examples of what’s been a prosperous, long-standing succession of the Eagles finding productive post-draft signings.

Moreover, the team has established itself as a franchise willing to afford rookies – drafted or not – fair opportunity to write their narratives.

The opportunity, coupled with strong leadership and a winning culture, make the Eagles a premier destination for not only undrafted players, but also free agents.

GETTY IMAGES: Eagles undrafted rookie RB Montrell Johnson flashed throughout his college career.

The Eagles’ 2025 rookie free agent class includes WR Darius Cooper (Tarleton State), LB Lance Dixon (Toledo), DB Maxen Hook (Toledo), DB Brandon Johnson (Oregon), RB Montrell Johnson (Florida), DB B.J. Mayes (Texas A&M), WR Taylor Morin (Wake Forest), OL Hollin Pierce (Rutgers), RB Shunderrick Powell (Central Arkansas).

The team on Sunday signed former Washington WR Giles Jackson to a contract following a successful rookie minicamp tryout, bringing the total to an even 10.

Here are three undrafted hopefuls best equipped to defy the odds and potentially go the distance.

DB Maxen Hook, Toledo

Hook, roommates at Toledo with Eagles cornerback Quinyon Mitchell, led a decorated career as a four-year starter for the Rockets. Hook (6-feet, 202 pounds) is a multifaceted strong safety, showcasing the necessary range, lateral movements, spatial awareness and toughness that make him a jack of all trades.

Hook joins a safety room that includes Blankenship, Drew Mukuba, Sydney Brown, Tristin McCollum, Lewis Cine and Andre’ Sam. He’s expected to be in the mix for the fourth – or potentially fifth – safety job. Special teams performance will be key if he’s going to stick. As an aside, I finished the pre-draft process with a sixth-round grade on Hook.

RB Montrell Johnson, Florida

The Eagles on Sunday shaved down the running back depth chart a bit, waiving fourth-year pro Tyrion Davis-Price. For those keeping score, the players now vying for depth roles behind Saquon Barkley and Will Shipley include A.J. Dillon and Lew Nichols, along with the rookies Shunderrick Powell and Johnson. Beyond the unknowns attached to Dillon, the veteran free-agent signing who sat out the 2024 season recovering a neck injury, Johnson offers a consistent resume and a skill set that complements Barkley and Shipley.

The 5-foot-11, 215-pound Johnson, who clocked a 4.41 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine, is a punishing downhill runner armed with very good contact balance and the mentality to finish runs and fight for every yard. In other words, if he flashes like he did at Florida, Johnson could perform a function similar to Dillon at a far more friendly rate. It’s also worth noting that Johnson caught 61 passes over his four seasons, including a career-high 30 in 2023.

GETTY IMAGES: Rutgers OL prospect Hollin Pierce gets to study at Stoutland U. this spring and summer.

OL Hollin Pierce, Rutgers

The Eagles had already added a pair of veteran free agent tackles in Kendall Lamm and Matt Pryor, in addition to drafting two more, so on the surface it would appear that Pierce wouldn’t even log enough reps to open eyes. But it’s important to note just how much the team values trench depth, coupled with developmental upside.

Pierce (6-8, 341) needs some refinement but the talent is evident. And while it’s far too early to draw any conclusions, as a lack of bodies most certainly impacted alignment, Pierce did rep at right guard during rookie minicamp. Should the Eagles experiment with him at both spots during camp, the value and potential may be too enticing to part with. For what it’s worth, I had a fifth-round grade on Pierce.

Darkhorse: WR Taylor Morin, Wake Forest

Morin, who enjoyed a productive Wake Forest career that covered 61 games, offers combo value as a pass catcher and punt returner. But it’s the latter of which the team could find most appealing, as Britain Covey – the Eagles’ punt returner for three seasons – remains on the open market. Sure, it’s fair to expect free-agent addition Avery Williams to be the favorite, with Ainias Smith and even Jahan Dotson next in the pecking order, but Morin is a smooth-mover with and nifty short-area quickness and fluid change of direction.

The 5-foot-11, 185-pound pass-catcher reeled in 227 career receptions for 2,974 yards and five touchdowns, adding another 809 yards and a touchdown on 76 career punt returns.

– Andrew DiCecco (@AndrewDiCecco) is a Staff Reporter/Content Producer for InsideTheBirds.com.