The Eagles made another small signing in free agency Friday afternoon agreeing to a one-year deal with former Atlanta Falcons kick and punt returner Avery Williams according to Senior NFL Insider Dianna Russini.
Williams, a running back by trade, is 26 years old and was a fifth-round pick by Atlanta out of Boise State in the 2021 NFL Draft. He was named a consensus All-American in 2020 with the Broncos. He started his pro career as the Falcons’ primary kickoff and punt returner in 2021 and played the vital role of gunner as well on special teams.
In the summer of 2023, Williams tore his ACL during OTAs and missed the entire season. This past season, Williams appeared in 17 games averaging 9.3 yards per punt return and 27.2 yards per kickoff return.
With the signing, it could indicate that Britain Covey’s tenure with the Eagles will come to an end. Covey signed as an undrafted free agent in 2022 and has played in 38 games with the team primarily as the team’s return specialist where he was one of the best returners in the NFL in 2023 when he led the league with 417 punt return yards, good for a 14.4-yard average per punt return.
He also averaged an impressive 30 yards per kick return that same season. The former Utah product was unfortunately injured in 2024 and saw Cooper DeJean take over the punt return role. A role that not many people were comfortable with DeJean taking due to the risk of injury. Eagles now take a chance on a new option for their special teams unit.
Williams is the sixth player GM Howie Roseman has signed so far since the start of free agency. The Eagles are quietly adding players with unique upsides to cheap deals as they prepare for some big extensions within the next two years.
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