Ranking Eagles undrafted rookies with the best chance to make Philadelphia's 16-man practice squad
Can Mekhi Garner and Eli Ricks defy the odds, beat the numbers game, and catapult themselves onto the roster?
Making an NFL roster is hard. That's especially true of one with as much talent as the unit carried by the Philadelphia Eagles. This team is going to release some very good players.
If the prospects released make it through waivers and return, that's a good thing. Every team needs depth and guys with potential on their practice squad. The young men on this list have all given it their all while proving thy belong in the NFL, but come final cuts, it's going to be hard to argue them onto the 53-man game day roster. Sometimes, the numbers game wins.
Darius Slay, James Bradberry, Avonte Maddox, Kelee Ringo, and Josh Jobe are all probably going to make the roster which means Josiah Scott, Mario Goodrich, and Tristin McCollum are all probably in the mix to win one job. Unfortunately for Mekhi Garner and Eli Ricks, all four of those guys probably precede them on the depth chart.
1. Mekhi Garner, cornerback
Eli Ricks may be the owner of a much larger fan club, but Mekhi Garner feels like the most game-ready undrafted rookie free agent that Philly has on the roster. If a roster spot were to go to someone, we'd give one to him or Ricks, but we'd probably give a slight edge to Garner.
All summer long, he has displayed a physical style of play and respectable coverage skills. Unfortunately for him, we may be approaching gridlock at the cornerback position.
Stay tuned. We're in for a fantastic finish.
2. Eli Ricks, cornerback
We knew upon his arrival that Eli Ricks looked the part of an NFL cornerback. Our questions were about whether or not he played like one. We have found out he absolutely does.
His first two preseason games featured highlight-reel moments (his pick-six versus the Baltimore Ravens), but there were also teachable moments (he fell down and gave up a 32-yard TD to Austin Watkins).
All in all, we have seen good and bad, which isn't uncommon for a UDFA. Then again, we can say the same about Kelee Ringo, and he was a fourth-round draft choice.