According to an official announcement from the team, the Eagles have signed former Patriots cornerback D.J. Killings to their practice squad.
Roster Move: #Eagles sign cornerback D.J. Killings to the practice squad. pic.twitter.com/66j9usfw11
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) October 3, 2017
Killings is set to fill the recently vacated spot left by Justin Hamilton, who was called up to see some defensive action in absence of Fletcher Cox.
The undrafted rookie out of UCF stands at 5’10, 187 pounds and stuck onto the Patriots roster during the offseason. Killings amassed seven tackles and two passes defensed during preseason play, but was recently waived with an injury settlement. Killings worked out with the Eagles a few days ago.
During his time at UCF, he played in 34 games and tallied 99 tackles, one sack, 5 interceptions, 17 passes defensed and a forced fumble. Exploding during his senior year, he tied the UCF single-game record for picks with a pair against Houston.
Killings is a cornerback who like Rasul Douglas, thrives at the top of the route tree. However, that doesn’t mean he isn’t physical. His 22 reps on the bench press technically tied the defensive back who led that category at the NFL combine, Brendan Langley…a combine in which Killings was not invited.
During his Pro-day however, he ran a 40-yard dash in around 4.4 seconds and a very impressive 37.5” vertical. What really stands about about Killings however, is how highly his teammates speak of him. There’s a brilliant article that was written on the 22-year old just after his pro-day, which goes into much more detail.
“D.J. is a genius in the room,” Griffin said. “To me, that’s who led our room. That’s the person I went to. When I didn’t know something I’m going to D.J. first. And that’s what he brings to a team. Nobody knows just how smart he is and D.J. is going to work. He doesn’t like getting beat and that’s the reason why I stuck with him since our freshman year.”
The Eagles only currently have De’Vante Bausby as a reserve cornerback on their practice squad, so Killings will catch onto the unit and marinate under Cory Undlin.
Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
