Eagles UDFAs who could conceivably make the 53-man roster

Nine prospects were added to the Philadelphia Eagles' nest during the 2024 NFL Draft. It's an impressive class. It deserves a passing grade, but Philly's brass wasn't done there. They added a half-dozen undrafted free agents with talent in their own right. Let's take a moment to shine the spotlight on them.

Arguments can be made that suggest all of these guys should have heard their names called during the selection meeting. Andre Sam is a talented safety. Gabe Hall is an interior defensive lineman.

The former is inexperienced and seasoned having already reached his 25th birthday. The latter was a three-year starter at Baylor and a talented pass rusher. Both should be considered as quality practice squad members.

Let's talk about those other four guys. Their floor is probably a spot on the scout team. Then again, we could expect more.

All of the Eagles' UDFAs are talented, but a few of them could conceivably earn spots on the 53-man roster at some point.

It can be impossible sometimes to address every need in a draft. There are only so many picks that can be made and, in some organizations, so many needs to address.

The flow of the draft can shift things as well. That can change thinking. For instance, there was an obvious need for the Eagles at offensive tackle, but when on the clock, they twice found interior offensive linemen they liked better.

Knowing their needs, Philly decided to address them in their selection of undrafted free agents. They added Sam and Hall. They rounded things out by adding a tailback, tight end, and two O-linemen. Al four could sneak on the roster.

Kendall Milton, running back

Right now, the tailbacks on the Eagles preseason roster are Saquon Barkley, Kenneth Gainwell, Will Shipley, Lew Nichols, Tyrion Davis-Price, and UDFA Kendall Milton. The expectation is that Philly will keep three or four tailbacks on the 53-man roster. Let's say they keep four. Milton is interesting.

We don't know much about him as a receiver, but the Georgia Bulldogs didn't ask him to do much in that regard. He hauled in 12 receptions in 41 career games.

What we do know is he's a workhorse. He can pick up tough yards and help salt games away.

We have previously seen Corey Clement and Josh Adams added to the roster as UDFAs and play significant roles. If Philly keeps four RBs, and if Milton is the fourth, don't be shocked. It feels like a spot on the scout team might be his floor though.

McCallen Castles, tight end

Before transferring to the Tennessee Volunteers and collecting 22 receptions for 283 receiving yards and five receiving touchdowns, he was a two-time Second-Team All-Big Sky nod (2021, 2022). He also earned First-Team All-Big Sky honors in 2020.

If the Birds had to announce a 53-man roster today, Castles wouldn't be on it. Still, he could develop as a practice squad member who plays a role at some point.

Philly's current depth chart at tight end has one star, Dallas Goedert. After him, there's C.J. Uzomah, Albert Okwuegbunam, Grant Calcaterra, E.J. Jenkins, and Noah Togiai. In other words, Castles has a shot, unless... Can Johnny Wilson play tight end?

Worth mentioning: Anim Dankwah, offensive tackle

Jordan Mailata and Lane Johnson are Philly's starting offensive tackles. That's a good thing. If there are any unforeseen emergencies (and, let's hope there aren't), there are questions that need to be asked.

Jeff Stoutland believes in Mekhi Becton and wanted to coach him. He also believes in Le'Raven Clark and Fred Johnson. With that said, if these guys are good enough for the game's best O-line coach, they ought to be good enough for us.

Why are we nervous then?

Look, we're not saying Anim Dankwah is the second coming of Jason Peters, but at six-foot-eight and 353 pounds, he could be one of those surprise additions that seem to be added annually now.

His road to a roster spot wouldn't be an easy one though.

Worth mentioning: Gottlieb Ayedze, offensive lineman

NFL.com draft expert Lance Zierlein grades six-foot-four, 308-pound Gottlieb Ayedze as someone who can help fill out the bottom of the roster or practice squad of his NFL team. That's his ceiling with Philly too. There are simply too many good players on the roster.

Once the offensive line's starting lineup is set and we know who will be occupying the right guard position, Ayedze will still be one of the low men on the totem pole, but if there are injuries at some point, he and Dankwah, if members of the practice squad, could at some point, be game-day elevations that fill out the game-day roster.

It will be fun to see how all of these guys develop once we reach training camp and the preseason.

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