Practice Squad Mostly Set

Posted: September 1st, 2019 | Author: | Filed under: Philadelphia Eagles | Comments Off on Practice Squad Mostly Set

We know nine of the 10 players who will make up the Eagles practice squad.

QB Kyle Lauletta
RB Boston Scott
WR Greg Ward
WR Marcus Green
TE Alex Ellis
TE Josh Perkins
OL Sua Opeta
DT Bruce Hector
LB Alex Singleton

The Eagles will meet with CB Craig James on Monday. He could be added.

Remember that the practice squad is always a combination of depth for the roster, young talent and guys to help get the starters ready for the upcoming game. This is not simply signing the 10 most talented players that happen to be available. You need the right positions and skill sets. I like what the Eagles did.

Lauletta gets the spot most people thought would go to fifth round draft pick Clayton Thorson. The Eagles saw Lauletta as an upgrade, as they should have. Lauletta was a better pro prospect and got drafted higher (fourth round 2018). He is more experienced at the pro level. Lauletta also played better this summer.

  • Lauletta 37-62 for 453 yards … 4 TDs, 0 INTs
  • Thorson 30-62 for 266 yards … 1 TD, 3 INTs

Which guy would you rather have?

The Giants opted to keep Alex Tanney so they cut Lauletta, doing the Eagles a favor. The Eagles wanted another young QB to develop. If there weren’t better options, the team might very well have kept Thorson around. When they saw the chance to get Lauletta, they jumped on it.

This is a familiar pattern. Nate Sudfeld was drafted by Washington in 2016. They cut him in 2017 and the Eagles signed him to the practice squad. Eventually they added him to the roster and he’s been part of the team since then.

Lauletta is 6-3, 225. He is a good athlete with a solid arm. He isn’t as big as the QBs the Eagles seem to prefer, but he does have the mobility they like and his arm strength is okay. Accurate passer. Watch these passes. We didn’t see Thorson playing like this.

Lauletta may not pan out in Philly, but I like the move. He’s worth trying to develop. Josh McCown is likely here just for the year. Sudfeld is a free agent. The team will need someone to back up Wentz in the future. Take a look at Lauletta and see what you think.

Scott is worth keeping around to see if you can develop into a Darren Sproles RS/RB role for the future. Scott needs a lot of work as a RS. We’ll see if Dave Fipp can work his magic.

Ward is another developmental prospect. He could be the slot guy in 2020, if Agholor leaves. Ward has gotten better each year.

Green is 5-8, 190 and fast. He ran 4.41 at his Pro Day. He is an explosive RS and WR.

Ellis is here to develop, but also as a practice player. He plays hard. You need guys like that in practice. Ellis could be a good role player in the future.

Perkins could be a guy they add to the roster at some point. He could be useful for practice. If you’re getting ready to face an athletic TE like Evan Engram, you have Perkins play that role in practice.

Opeta played LT in college, but the Eagles moved him inside to OG. He is a strong, physical blocker with positional versatility.

Hector was on the active roster for parts of 2018. He is more about effort than talent, but could play if needed. Why not Treyvon Hester? Hector is bigger and stronger. He might be better for practices. In my mind, Hester is absolutely the better player. It is also possible Hester is still hoping to get a roster spot and said no to an Eagles offer.

Singleton passed on the CFL to say in Philly and wait for a chance to get on the roster. He will be great in practice. Singleton goes 100 mph on every play.

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The Eagles could cut Rudy Ford and add Banjo for that spot. We can call it the Maragos Role (S/STer). Ford isn’t healthy right now. Banjo could step right in and help the STs.

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WR Torrey Smith was cut by the Panthers. The Eagles don’t need him right now, but this could be someone the team turns to if there is a WR injury.

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Who did the Eagles lose?

  • Wendell Smallwood – Skins
  • Brett Toth – Cardinals
  • Clayton Thorson – Cowboys PS
  • Josh Adams – Jets PS
  • Shelton Gibson – Browns PS

Good luck to all of them, even Thorson in Dallas.

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