Eagles sign 16 undrafted free agents

The Philadelphia Eagles took their time announcing their undrafted free agent signings. They had to clear some roster space and now we see why. The Eagles signed 16 undrafted free agents.

Here is an look at all of them.

Eagles 2016 UDFAs

John DePalma, long snapper, WVU:

Almost every position group on the Eagles, is going through competition for the upcoming camps, and that goes for incumbent long snapper Jon Dorenbos too. DePalma (6’5, 251 lbs.) will look to beat out Dorenbos for the job. He was the long snapper in 39 games in 3 years for WVU (never missing a game.)

Quentin Gause, outside linebacker, Rutgers:

Gause (6’1, 220 lbs.) was a three year starter for the Rutgers. He finished his collegiate career with 190 tackles, 26 for loss, and three sacks. Luckily for him, the Eagles are severely lacking in outside linebacker depth, and didn’t address it in the draft. Unlikely to make the team, but will be given a shot to, nonetheless.

Dillon Gordon, tight end, LSU:

Gordon (6’5, 308 lbs.) had an absolute downward-spiraling collegiate career. He was a huge part to LSU’s run-blocking scheme, but missed majority of his senior season, rupturing his Achilles tendon. He was strictly an extra blocker his whole career at LSU, if the Eagles fully convert former tight end Trey Burton to fullback, the Eagles could carry Gordon as their third tight end, as an extra run blocker.

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Darrell Greene, offensive guard, San Diego State:

Greene (6’3, 321 lbs.) was somewhat of a surprise, going undrafted. He did get suspended for the first six games of the 2015, for a failed drug test (marijuana). He still was a very productive player throughout his career. In 119 pass-protection snaps last season, Greene didn’t surrender a single sack, and only allowed one pressure.

Bruce Johnson, center, Maine:

Johnson (6’3, 300 lbs.) was named the best center in the FCS last season. He played in every snap for Maine during his tenure there. Just a huge mauler at the center position. The player who backups Jason Kelce isn’t clear at the moment. Stefan Wisniewski and 3rd round pick Isaac Seumalo have majority of center experience, as well, but they both project to be guards for the Eagles.

Marcus Johnson, wide receiver, Texas:

Johnson (6’1, 194 lbs.) never quite made a big impact at Texas. The Eagles continue to find a solution for a deep, take the top off the defense, speed threat, and Johnson did run a 4.4 in his pro-day 40. He’s shown flashes of explosiveness in his route running, averaged 13 yards a catch in his career, but only finished with 793 yards receiving, in 28 career games.

Cayleb Jones, wide receiver, Arizona:

Jones (6’3, 215 lbs.) has a lot of NFL potential. He was taken off team’s draft boards due to off the field issues, according to bleacher report’s Matt Miller, mostly stemming from an assault charge he received while at Texas, for breaking a tennis player’s jaw. He transferred to Arizona, playing two seasons for them. In 27 games he finished with 129 receptions, for 1,926 yards, averaging 14.9 yards a catch, and 14 touchdowns. Luckily for Jones the Eagles wide receiver depth chart is murky, so he has a shot to make the 53 man roster.

Byron Marshall, running back, Oregon:

Marshall (5’10, 205 lbs.) has been a big weapon for Oregon during his career. He only played 4 games last season, due to a broken leg. He started his first two seasons as a running back, finishing with 1,877 yards rushing, then transitioning to wide receiver his last two seasons, finishing with 1,293 receiving yards. Eagles listed him as a running back, if he makes the team, they could use him as a Dion Lewis, Shane Vereen, or even a Darren Sproles type of running back.

Cedric O’Neal, running back, Valdosta State:

O’Neal (6’0, 213 lbs.) is a lesser known commodity, due to the small school he comes from. He owns all their career rushing records, finishing his four year career with 4,115 rushing yards, and 49 rushing touchdowns. He said, in a phone interview to his local newspaper, that the Eagles showed the “most persistence” in acquiring him. Four other teams were interested, but the Eagles running back depth chart is up in the air, so O’Neal will be given a chance.

Hunter Sharp, wide receiver, Utah State:

Sharp (5’11, 198 lbs.) is another wide receiver vying for a roster spot with the Eagles. He transferred to Utah State, from junior college, and finished his career there with 137 receptions, for 1,778 receiving yards, averaging 13 yards a catch, and 16 touchdowns. He was suspended prior to the 2015 season, for the first two games, and the reasons weren’t specified.

Aziz Shittu, defensive tackle, Stanford:

Shittu (6’3, 279 lbs.) was a one year starter, for Stanford. He finished this past season with 58 tackles, 14.5 for loss, and five sacks. The Eagles depth behind Bennie Logan/Fletcher Cox is questionable at the moment, so Shittu does have a shot to make the team. He’s a good interior rusher, which fits the pass-rush attack under Jim Schwartz.

C.J. Smith, cornerback, North Dakota State:

Smith (5’11, 188 lbs.) joins former teammate, and Eagles first round pick, Carson Wentz as teammates on the Eagles. Playing in 17 games in three years for North Dakota State, Smith was still able to finish with four interceptions. He fares very well in man coverage, but with a crowded cornerback depth chart, it’s going to be an uphill battle, for him to make the team.

Myke Tavarres, outside linebacker, Incarnate Word:

Tavarres (6’0, 230 lbs.) was a small school standout. He transferred from Arkansas, red-shirting 2014 season with Incarnate Word, but ended the 2015 season with 110 tackles, 22.5 tackles for loss, and 8.5 sacks. He’s a little undersized for a linebacker, but is an incredible heavy hitter. He’s best suited as a weak side linebacker, luckily for him also, the outside linebacker depth is bare, so he’ll be given every opportunity to make the team.

Paul Turner, wide receiver, Louisiana Tech:

Turner (5’11, 193 lbs.) has decent speed to him, running a 4.5 in the 40, during his pro-day. The two year starter for Louisiana Tech, Turner finished his career with 87 receptions, 1,171 yards, averaging 13.4 yards a catch, and seven touchdowns. Uphill battle for him to make the team.

Destiny Vaeao, defensive tackle, Washington State:

Vaeao (6’4, 298 lbs.) has some upside to his game. NFL.com draft analyst Lance Zierlein, had a 4th round grade on him. In 31 games, Vaeao finished his colligate career with 83 tackles, 19 for loss, seven sacks, and even two interceptions. Again, the defensive tackle depth is bare, and with the Eagles signing three undrafted tackles, plus Mike Martin in free agency, there’s going to be good competition behind Fletcher Cox/Bennie Logan/Beau Allen/Taylor Hart.

Connor Wujciak, defensive tackle, Boston College:

Wujciak (6’3, 300 lbs.) is another defensive tackle, that’ll be vying, for a that tackle depth spot. In 34 career games, Wujciak finished his colligate career with 110 tackles, 21 for loss, and seven sacks. He’ll be competing versus the other three, undrafted defensive tackles the Eagles signed, to fill the depth void at defensive tackle.

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