The Philadelphia Eagles are now just days away from starting their 2024 Training Camp. The NovaCare Complex has long been a place where underdogs shine, from Paul Turner to Tyree Jackson, there is always someone under the radar ready to steal the show. Here are 4 underdogs who could do just that this Summer.
4 Eagles underdogs to watch at Training Camp
Isaiah Rodgers Jr.
One of the biggest standouts of the spring was Isaiah Rodgers Jr. The former Indianapolis Colt was poached by the Eagles after the NFL suspended him for violating its gambling policy in 2022. After sitting out all of last season, he was reinstated a few months ago and the redemption arc is well and truly underway.
Now donning midnight green colors, Rodgers burst onto the scene during OTA’s and put the rest of the secondary on notice. The Eagles might have added a pair of talented rookies, and the starters might be veterans with plenty of accolades to their names, but Rodgers isn’t here to simply be another spoke on the wheel.
The UMass product also boasts some real special teams prowess. He was Indy’s primary kick-returner for a while, averaging 27.41 yards per return in that span. With new kickoff rules now in place, this could be a way for Rodgers to guarantee a roster spot without needing to earn a starting role.
With flexibility to play both inside and out, Rodgers figures to at least be a go-to backup for now, which is already a huge statement given that he missed an entire season of play and is now working with a new team. How much more upside is there? Only time will tell…
Grant Calcaterra
The Eagles have done a brilliant job of building out their roster, but depth behind Dallas Goedert has been minimal for quite some time now. The TE has often struggled to finish a season without missing a few weeks due to injury, and those few games can be incredibly difficult when there are no pass-catching TE’s waiting in the wings.
Calcaterra is now entering his third year in Philadelphia and his competition for a roster spot hasn’t changed all that much. His usage, on the other hand, has. The Oklahoma product played in 40% of special teams snaps last year, which is double the snaps played as a rookie. He has a bond with Jalen Hurts from their days at Oklahoma which has been flashed on the field every now and again, but now the team needs to see it consistently.
The third-year TE won’t explode through receiving production with so many weapons around him. But if he can take a step forward as a viable blocking option and make a few marquee catches in camp, he can at least provide an insurance policy in the event of a Goedert injury, as well as turning a few heads in the process.
Zack Baun
Of all the Eagles’ signings this offseason, Zack Baun is my favorite…and that’s saying something. He’s a versatile linebacker who made his paydirt on special teams in New Orleans but played well when given defensive opportunities.
Glance at Baun’s highlights from 2023 and you’ll see an off-ball linebacker who can line up on either side and has the instincts and awareness to play within his limits. He’s not the fastest linebacker in the league, nor the most powerful. But he’s missed less than 11.2% of tackles in each of his last 3 seasons and shows great understanding of tackling fundamentals on tape.
Without much in the way of depth at the position, Baun has the potential to really make an impact in Vic Fangio’s defense and that all starts at Training Camp.
John Ross
John Ross is a name widely known around the NFL, mostly for his blazing speed. Ross broke the NFL Combine record for the fastest 40-yard dash before being drafted, but his career has fizzled out since that day.
He joined the Eagles this past offseason, a team in need of a solid WR4 to backup both A.J Brown and DeVonta Smith, while also potentially adding some speed over the middle to replace Quez Watkins. Ross cited to reporters upon his arrival that he feels a different sense of speed now compared to when he blazed the 40-time prior to the 2017 NFL Draft.
“I think I’m faster,” Ross said. “And I know that’s going to be crazy to say. I’m not feeling the same way I felt before physically. That’s why I say I think I’m faster. And when I say that, don’t get me wrong. I ran a 4.22. I’m not saying I’m a 4.15 or anything.
But what I’m saying is I just feel better so I think I can consistently be faster and I think that was my biggest thing. Can this guy go every single day and look the same every single day? And I feel like I’m getting to the point where I can be consistent with my speed. And to me that’s the biggest thing.”
So far, so good. Ross looked great during the early stages of Eagles Rookie Minicamp and OTA’s, and will provide the likes of Quinyon Mitchell a very challenging test this Summer. If he an stand out and show that he still has plenty of gas in the tank, then the Eagles could well have a hidden gem of a reclamation project on their hands.
Photo by Ken Murray/Icon Sportswire
