Eagles news: Philly’s 2023 undrafted rookie free-agent class earns high praise

Four months… That’s what we’re discussing. Four months from now, training camp will be behind us, and the Philadelphia Eagles will be placing a bow on three preseason games. Four months from now, we’ll be talking about the coming 18-week, 17-game grind and discussing the men who have made the initial 53-man roster and how they’ll contribute.

During the first free-agency spike, Howie Roseman found a way to hang on to many of Philly’s established veterans while adding some low-risk, high-reward options to balance out some of March’s losses. Then, he led the draft war room as a seven-man class was added before it was announced the Birds had added a couple of handfuls of rookie free agents. Now comes the process of building the aforementioned Eagles roster.

The top half of Philadelphia’s depth chart is set. There’s just the issue of determining who players 45 through 53 are, give or take a man or two. The Birds have a wealth of options. Training camp battles are going to be intense.

Excitement is in the air. Can you blame us? This is fun, but the interest isn’t just limited to loyal Birds fans all over the country. The national media also has taken notice, and Philly is at the center of pro football’s universe.

Eagles news: Philly’s undrafted free agent class is drawing rave reviews.

Peruse some of the other media outlets, and you’ll quickly learn the Eagles 2023 draft class has everyone talking. The reviews have been positive (as they should be). It appears they have been equally so when the Eagles’ undrafted free agents have entered into the conversation.

Here’s a look at who has been added at the time of this story’s publication.

• Eli Ricks, cornerback, Alabama Crimson Tide
• Ty Zentner, kicker/punter, Kansas State Wildcats
• Jadon Haselwood, wide receiver, Arkansas
• Trevor Reid, offensive tackle, Louisville Cardinals
• Brady Russell, tight end, Colorado
• Ben VanSumeren, linebacker, Michigan State
• Chim Okorafor, offensive lineman, Benedictine Football
• Joseph Ngata, wide receiver, Clemson
• Mekhi Garner, cornerback, LSU

Pro Football Network recently shared their thoughts on each NFL franchise’s undrafted free-agent class. Ian Cummings did a good job of penning this one. Here’s what he said about the Eagles.

"The Eagles always do well in the UDFA market. They scored an incredible value deal with safety Reed Blankenship in the 2022 NFL Draft cycle, and they might see similar success in 2023.Eli Ricks is the headliner — a former five-star recruit with the length and physicality to mold behind Darius Slay and James Bradberry. But the Eagles also added a flexible size/speed threat in Jadon Haselwood, a potential safety convert with range and strength in Mekhi Garner, and two athletic freaks at LB and OT in Ben VanSumeren and Trevor Reid."

Three members of the Eagles 2022 UDFA class worked their way onto the 53-man roster last season (Reed Blankenship, Josh Sills, Josh Jobe). Might there be another diamond in the rough among this bunch?

After seeing the recent success stories of guys like T.J. Edwards and Cory Clement (and guys like Andre Waters and Chad Lewis before that), there’s always one or two guys that we all wind up cheering for. In a city like Philly that wears the ‘underdog’ badge proudly, none of that should be a surprise.