Quiet Contenders

The Eagles boast a loaded roster with burgeoning young talent along with established household names.

The roster tinkering during the offseason is incessant, as teams usher in an influx of talent to fuel competition, inevitably relegating a handful of holdovers to afterthoughts in the eyes of some.

When it comes to the Eagles, a franchise known for leaving no stone unturned to fortify its roster, there are plenty of examples that should compel even the team’s most ardent supporters to familiarize themselves with every corner of the roster.

Highlighted below are three under-the-radar Eagles to know with OTAs and mandatory minicamp fast-approaching:

GETTY IMAGES/Perry Knotts: Can Cam Latu, who has tight end and fullback experience, be a good fit for the new offensive scheme?

TE Cameron Latu

When revamping its tight end room this offseason, the Eagles made a concerted effort to diversify skill sets, striving for more of a balanced approach. Rookie Eli Stowers, selected in the second round of April’s draft, was identified as the eventual successor to longtime starter Dallas Goedert and projects as a dynamic, multifaceted receiving option. Veteran Johnny Mundt, 31, was targeted for his blocking prowess. Stone Smartt, another free-agent signing, brings with him 53 games (seven starts) of NFL experience. Grant Calcaterra, a receiving-centric 2022 draftee, re-signed for another season. Seemingly lost in the mix is Latu, a tight end by trade who last season moonlighted at fullback out of necessity.

A third-round pick of the San Francisco 49ers in the 2023 NFL Draft, Latu began the 2025 season on the Eagles’ practice squad before signing to the 53-man roster in late September. The 6-foot-5, 244-pounder appeared in 15 games (two starts), logging 103 on offense and another 257 on special teams.

Latu earned his keep as a punishing, tenacious blocker on offense, with an eagerness in executing the dirty work. He also emerged as a core special teamer for coordinator Michael Clay, increasing his value. Latu, listed as a tight end, wasn’t targeted last season, but the Alabama product boasts plenty of athleticism and theoretical upside as a receiver. Beyond Goedert and Stowers, there isn’t much certainty. When zooming out and assessing the Eagles’ updated assortment of tight ends, it would be wise not to overlook the 26-year-old Latu, who boasts a balanced skill set and has flourished on special teams.

LB Chance Campbell

When the Eagles signed Campbell late last August, two days ahead of the preseason finale against the New York Jets, it was logical to assume the driving force behind the transaction stemmed from a number’s shortage at linebacker. In other words, a move initiated to occupy snaps and help the Eagles get through the final exhibition game without subjecting a player of note to needless risk. It’s also worth noting that Campbell suffered a season-ending knee injury the previous August, likely contributing to his late-summer availability.

In most cases, someone in Campbell’s position would require adequate time for evaluation and roster consideration, but the Eagles had background knowledge on the fifth-year linebacker, who overlapped with Eagles linebackers coach Bobby King in Tennessee. Once a transactional footnote, Campbell  – selected by the Titans in the sixth-round in the 2022 NFL Draft – bucked the trend, spending the entire 2025 season on the Eagles’ practice squad, functioning as a scout team mainstay.

Campbell would appear to have a path to the roster if the Eagles elect to carry five linebackers due to his special teams upside. Familiarity with the scheme and coaching staff could also give him a leg-up over other challengers.

DB Brandon Johnson

Signed last spring as a rookie free agent, Johnson was noted in my training camp notebook on more than a few occasions. Opportunities were sporadic for the Oregon product – customary for undrafted rookies lower in the pecking order – but the springy nickelback displayed scrappiness and twitchy athleticism. Johnson’s short-area quickness, specifically, was pronounced with each rep, and his football acumen became apparent in conversations throughout the year.

The 5-foot-10, 185-pound defensive back fell short in his roster bid, but was among the few who remained on the practice squad for the duration of the 2025 season. During the season, Johnson, 23, cross-trained at safety, highlighting his versatility. He would be elevated for the Eagles’ final three regular season games, totaling 28 defensive snaps and nine on special teams.

Johnson logged his first NFL start in the Eagles’ regular season finale against the Washington Commanders, logging 23 snaps before an ankle injury necessitated an early exit. The invaluable experience, both on the field and in meetings — coupled with Johnson’s positional versatility — could enhance his chances of landing a depth role this time around.

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