Ranking every Eagles rookie on 53-man roster ahead of 2022 NFL season
The ‘secret weapons tier: Two lesser-mentioned Eagles who could contribute early as special teams/reserve options
The Philadelphia Eagles added two young prospects during the sixth round of the most recent NFL Draft. Both will provide value on special teams, but it shouldn’t shock you if they wind up playing slightly larger roles.
54. . . . Kyron Johnson, linebacker. 58. player
Kyron Johnson‘s training camp didn’t begin with a bang per se other than a nice moment here and there, but he improved as the days wore on. That’s what you want to see and what you would probably expect from a sixth-round draft choice.
Five seasons at the NCAA level (51 games) produced 193 tackles, 12.5 sacks, five pass deflections, and eight forced fumbles. This will sound crass, but no disrespect is intended.
Kyron might wind up becoming everything that we were told Davion Taylor had the potential to become.
. . . Grant Calcaterra, tight end. 47. player. 54
Some guys are so talented that the only thing that can railroad their chances for success is the possibility of their bodies failing them. There’s admittedly both excitement and nervousness whenever Grant Calcaterra‘s name is mentioned.
His story is well-known. After being forced to retire early as a collegiate star because of head injuries, he left the Oklahoma Sooners, transferred to the SMU Mustangs, and proved he has some good football left in him. The Philadelphia Eagles rewarded that effort by taking him in the most recent NFL Draft.
He missed valuable time as he nursed a lower-body injury during training camp, but when he returned, he showed much of the potential that made him worthy of taking the risk. He’s the third tight end on the Eagles depth chart, but keep an eye on him. He’ll see playing time on special teams and could play a role on offense in a reserve role.