OTA’s are underway, and training camp is around the corner; organizations are becoming more clear on who is deserving of an active or practice squad roster spot. Whether it’s aging veterans who can’t keep up with younger talent or players whose name value is worth more than their ability, here are three players from the Philadelphia Eagles who could be cut before the start of the regular season.
Terrell Edmonds
Former Steelers S Terrell Edmunds (34) – AP Photo/Kieth Srakocic
Trying to replace the league leader in interceptions is no small task, so it’s safe to say that five-year Steelers safety Terrell Edmonds isn’t the groundbreaking move that got Eagles fans jumping out of their seats.
As the league is reporting disgruntled defensive stars such as Budda Baker and Kevin Byard, the Eagles went with the low-risk, low-reward option for the 2018 28th overall pick of Pittsburgh to fill the shoes of previous starting safety C.J. Gardner Johnson. Despite being a consistent starter throughout his career, Terrell Edmonds was never the playmaking ballhawk his teammate Minkah Fitzpatrick was, often being under shadowed by his teammates’ performances.
In five years with the Steelers, Terrell recorded five interceptions and 410 tackles, with 15 being tackles for loss. Starting 75 out of the possible 79 games is a good sign of his health and consistency within the Steelers organization.
I’m predicting that Terrell Edmonds will have a similar fate as Jaquarskti Tartt last year with the Eagles, as Tartt signed a one-year deal in the previous offseason and was even projected to be a starter but was released before the regular season in favor of Marcus Epps. As the Budda Baker rumors refuse to die and 3rd round pick Sydney Brown continues to impress in rookie OTA’s, Terrell’s chances of locking in a roster spot get slimmer and slimmer.
Britain Covey
Eagles R Britain Covey (18) – Daniel Kucin Jr./Associated Press
In the past few years, several day-three and undrafted wide receivers for the Philadelphia Eagles became somewhat of folklore heroes in the eyes of the fanbase. Names such as Greg Ward Jr., Travis Fulgham, and Quez Watkins made it a habit to come out of nowhere and save the Eagles’ seasons when given the opportunity. These opportunities arose due to injuries and outplaying the day-one picks who were projected to perform better than the names mentioned. Britain Covey, however, was never given that opportunity, at least not on offense.
When Britain Covey was signed as an undrafted free agent, many, including myself, were expecting a special teamer who was a diamond in the rough. His age and size were a disadvantage but that wasn’t enough to deter the Eagles coaches from giving him returner duties in his rookie year. Sadly, some lackluster performances might be enough for Sirianni to look for a replacement.
Covey’s lack of impact on the special teams and his absence in the offense as a whole has left him in a precarious position of being replaced and eventually cut before the season starts.
Covey never had a return for more than 30 yards, and the team was ranked 29th in punt net return yards. He was no better in kick returns either as he only returned the ball ten times for 206 yards. In contrast, the Eagles’ Running Back Boston Scott returned the ball five more times but 200 yards more.
Derek Barnett
Eagles DE Derek Barnett (96) – Mitchell Leff/Getty Images
Six years in, 21.5 sacks later, and possibly third in the depth chart behind Brandon Graham and Josh Sweat, this will most likely be Darek Barnett’s last year in an Eagles uniform, barring an injury of a day-one starter early on.
While his departure will be less shocking than the previous ones I mentioned, no one could guess the career Darek Barnett has had. Being the 14th overall pick by the Eagles in 2017 after breaking Reggie White’s college sack record, There was a lot of hope and promise that Barnett could possibly be the franchise pass rusher. That never came to fruition and is now seen as a liability.
His last chance to prove himself went up in flames last year as he tore his ACL in the first week of the 2022 season. Brandon Graham has a comeback player-of-the-year season, Josh Sweat and Hassan Reddick have a pro bowl year with career bests, and Jordan Carter and Nolan Smith are fighting for a first-string spot. Derek Barnett is currently seen as an afterthought now and will have to do a lot of work just to be in the rotational lineup and avoid being cut before the regular season.
