Recent Eagles draft picks could be playing their final preseason game in Philly

As the words of this story are being typed, we have seen nearly 24 hours pass since the announcement of Jahan Dotson's addition. There may not be a more aggressive general manager in the league than Philadelphia Eagles Vice President Howie Roseman. Now comes all of the fallout that follows.

Adding Jahan may have made Ainias Smith's path to making the roster more uncertain (and/or unlikely). That's significant because, as you know, Philly utilized a fifth-round draft choice to add Smith, and they did so just this past April. You never know though. Anything can happen.

Dotson's arrival has energized the fan base, but when thinking about Ainias, we're reminded of something. Roster building requires a healthy mix of trades, free-agent acquisitions, and drafted players who hit the bull's eye. We never want to see drafted players flame out or be labeled as busts, but we understand there are times when it will happen.

Two recent Eagles draft picks may be playing in their final preseason game during the finale.

Two names come to mind. Zech McPhearson is the owner of one. Tarron Jackson is the other. Both were recent Eagles draftees. McPhearson was a fourth-round draftee in 2021. Jackson was a sixth-rounder taken 68 picks later.

Both are in contract seasons. Calling either a 'bust' seems like a stretch. They can ball, but Philly has seemingly always had players at their respective positions that were better. They both have their own story.

McPhearson entered training camp and the preseason expected to eventually be named as the Eagles' backup slot cornerback. An injury took care of that.

Jackson saw his playing time decrease from year one to year two. Last season, he was relegated to the practice squad.

Both players sit behind guys now on the depth chart who Philly values more. The organization's decision to draft Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean diminish Zech's chances of making the roster. Tarron also faces the threat of falling victim to the numbers game. He just simply isn't one of the Eagles' top-five edge rushers.

So, where does that leave them? Maybe they're handed their walking papers during final roster cuts and another team picks them up. Maybe they're added to the practice squad, but if that happens, they can still be poached by another team.

It's possible that they hang around as scout team members. That's likely, but again this is year four for both of them. It's hard to imagine a scenario where they are handed extensions at the end of this season.

If this is it and if this is their final preseason game, they have nothing to be ashemed of. They have earned their wings, but in a tough profession like being an NFL star, roster turnover often comes quickly.

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