Can They Do It?

When it comes to projecting the Eagles’ starting lineup, there are very few uncertainties.

Sure, there’s a vacancy at one safety spot and the wide receiver pecking order beyond DeVonta Smith needs sorting out, but every team is faced with some element of fluidity at this stage. In terms of depth, however, those answers will reveal themselves in training camp, when the pads come on and the intensity ratchets up. Consistency, especially for those vying for roster spots, becomes magnified. With a roster so rich in talent, competition promises to be fierce.

Spring practices offered a brief look at the 2026 Eagles. Admittedly, it probably isn’t worth putting too much stock into spring climbers, but there are plenty of other specifics I noted, like depth chart alignment and those cross-training at other positions.

Many of the players listed below won’t register as household names and are likely to have little impact from a big picture perspective, but I saw enough from each to have  my interest piqued as ancillary storylines to monitor throughout the summer. To be clear, all are currently regarded as long shots, but I’ve outlined below why they could be names to file away for a later date:

ITB PHOTO/ANDREW DICECCO: Eagles roster hopeful C Jake Majors gets some instruction from new OL coach Chris Kuper.

Offense

C Jake Majors

Full transparency: Majors was one of my Day 3 sleepers in the 2025 NFL Draft. Listed at 6-foot-3, 306 pounds, Majors is considered on the smaller side in terms of NFL linemen, to be sure, but his intellect and technical polish were difficult to overlook watching Texas football. His starting experience only added to my pre-draft intrigue, as Majors started a program-record 57 games for the Longhorns.

The Prosper, Texas, native originally signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent and signed to the Eagles’ practice squad a week into the season. Majors, who remained on the team’s practice squad for the remainder of the season, signed a reserve/future deal with the Eagles in January. Majors, of course, wasn’t around last summer for Eagles training camp, amplifying my curiosity to see him in a practice setting. While his path to a spot on the Eagles’ 53-man roster promises to be steep, it’s worth noting that Majors repped as the second team center this spring while also cross-training some at guard.

OT John Ojukwu

Signed to a reserve/deal in January, Ojukwu (6-5, 309) boasts a resume that includes 16 games (nine starts) of NFL experience. The Boise State product first signed with the Tennessee Titans as an undrafted free agent in 2023, assuming a reserve role for parts of his first three seasons. In 2024, Ojukwu, 27, logged a career-high 264 snaps. When assessing the Eagles’ trench depth this offseason, I’ve often referenced the Eagles’ youth and inexperience. Ojukwu is one of the rare exceptions, which could, in theory, differentiate himself over the course of his roster push. With offensive line coach Chris Kuper now heading the room, I get the sense that cross-training will be a focus within the scope of evaluating backups. And for what it’s worth, Ojukwu logged valuable second team tackle reps this spring while also moonlighting at guard. Sure, it’s a crowded position room – remember, in addition to 2026 third-rounder Markel Bell, the Eagles also roster holdover draftees Myles Hinton and Cameron Williams – and he’ll have competition for reps, but I’m eager to learn more about Ojukwu in training camp.

TE Dae’Quon Wright

The interest in Wright (6-4, 246), a 2026 rookie free agent, is palpable. The anticipation is justified, as Wright represents a promising developmental prospect, but context is also important. The Eagles’ depth at tight end is stacked, meaning reps are likely to come at a premium for the Ole Miss product, emphasizing the importance of each one. Wright dazzled as a big-play threat last season for the Rebels, averaging over 16 yards per catch. He emerged from the college ranks as a dynamic, three-level receiving threat. Frankly, I’m still puzzled as to why Wright, 22, went undrafted. But at the risk of pointing out the obvious, there’s more to the job description that extends beyond the pass-catching prowess. With Wright, I’m interested in learning more about Wright the blocker and route-runner. Can he manage to separate himself from those in contention for depth roles by delivering on special teams? The battle for a potential fourth tight end slot will be a fun summer storyline to chronicle.

Defense

OLB Keyshawn James-Newby

James-Newby (6-1, 240), a 2026 seventh-round pick, has become a bit of an afterthought. The Eagles’ final selection on draft weekend isn’t exactly a household name. It also didn’t help that James-Newby added to an already deep group of Eagles pass rushers – which now includes veteran A.J. Epenesa – essentially pouring cold water on any potential buzz. In fairness, though, narratives can quickly shift in training camp. James-Newby, who turns 24 in August, was a productive rusher at the college level, combining for 33.5 sacks in stops that included Montana Tech, Idaho and New Mexico. In his lone season at New Mexico, James-Newby collected nine sacks, 15 tackles for loss and a pair of forced fumbles.

In Philadelphia, James-Newby will likely have to outperform Epenesa to qualify for roster consideration. Maybe he forces decision-makers to take notice by showcasing a high motor in practice, drawing similarities to past Eagles roster hopefuls Steven Means and Joe Ostman. The key to standing apart and extending his stay, however, presumably hinges on James-Newby’s influence on special teams. Can he use his 4.5 speed to carve out a Patrick Johnson-like third phase role while also functioning as a developmental depth rusher?

CB Ambry Thomas

Thomas (6-0, 190) spent all but one week on the Eagles’ practice squad last season and was signed to a reserve/future deal. A 2021 third-round pick of the San Francisco 49ers, Thomas appeared in 42 games (11 starts) over three seasons, arming him with valuable experience amid a crowded depth battle. Thomas carries some appeal due to measureables and pedigree, but I’ll be watching for how he responds in his first training camp with the Eagles, which notably follows a season spent exclusively in meetings and absorbing coordinator Vic Fangio’s system.

Thomas, 26, quietly enjoyed an active spring – which included an interception on the final day of mandatory minicamp – and seemed comfortable in the defense. Complicating matters is that the Eagles definitively have four cornerbacks ahead of him. That doesn’t include fourth-year pro Kelee Ringo, a special teams ace who isn’t likely to factor into the defensive mix. For Thomas to even be in a conversation that also includes the likes of Mac McWilliams and Jakorian Bennett, the Eagles would probably have to carry six cornerbacks. And early as it might be, a compelling case could be made for the team going heavier at the position, bolstering depth with five trustworthy cornerbacks.

S Maximus Pulley

Pulley, 23, signed with the Eagles this spring as an undrafted free agent. The 5-foot-11, 200-pound Pulley landed at Wofford in 2023 after two seasons at Western Kentucky, starting all 34 games in which he appeared. Last season, Pulley combined for 85 tackles (2.5 for loss), five pass breakups and five interceptions, earning him first-team All-Southern Conference recognition.

With the Eagles, Pulley joins a safety room highlighted by Drew Mukuba, Marcus Epps and Michael Carter II. Further down the depth chart, you’ll also find 2026 seventh-round pick Cole Wisniewski and holdover Andre’ Sam. Sam, by the way, is someone I have pegged as a training camp standout. Working in Pulley’s favor, though, is that he’s four years younger than Sam and boasts a skill set that suggests he can provide added value at nickelback.

It’s also probably unwise look past the Eagles’ history with undrafted free agents, with Reed Blankenship, Darius Cooper, Josh Jobe and Eli Ricks being recent examples of those who defied their roster odds. Training camp will be the true test, but this spring I noticed Pulley, who repped with the third team, often around the action. He didn’t look out of place. There’s quite a bit of ground to gain before penciling him in for a roster spot, granted, but Pulley has the makeup a player who could provide some fireworks once the pads come on.

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