Philadelphia’s Stacked Roster: ‘Top 5 Underrated Eagles’
The roster is considered one of the best in the NFL, stocked with superstar names from Jalen Hurts to A.J. Brown to Haason Reddick and so many more.
The Philadelphia Eagles also have their share of underrated players, players who could end up having a bigger impact on the season's outcome than maybe originally perceived. Here are five:
Jack Driscoll. The Eagles have lost several key depth pieces on the offensive line over the years – Isaac Seumalo, Andre Dillard, Nate Herbig, and Jack Anderson, to name a few. With each loss, Driscoll’s value continues to soar.
He will likely be the top backup now behind starting tackles Jordan Mailata and Lane Johnson. His ability to play guard may make him a top backup option there, too.
Either way, the fourth-round pick from the 2020 draft will be active on gameday and could ultimately be a very busy lineman.
Last year, he played the fewest number of offensive snaps, getting just 30 percent of them while making three starts.
Injuries ended his season early in his first two seasons, but he played in all 17 last year.
Driscoll is in the final year of his rookie deal, so he could become the next lineman out the door at the end of the season, though the Eagles might try to re-sign a player with the kind of versatility and ability Driscoll delivers.
Christian Elliss. The Eagles need linebacker depth and Elliss could be positioned to step into that sort of role, especially after a solid spring, which included a pick-6 of Jalen Hurts during 7-on-7 drills in OTAs.
The former undrafted free agent from Idaho, who was waived by the Vikings after they signed him after the 2021 draft, was elevated from the Eagles’ practice squad three times last December before being added to the 53-man roster on Dec. 23.
There may be no looking back for a player who already showed he can be a benefit to the special team units.
Zech McPhearson. Still looking to find his way onto the field as a full-time defensive player, the former fourth-round pick from 2021 has become a standout special team player.
McPhearson could be ready to take the next step after what looks like will be a full-time transition to the slot as Avonte Maddox’s backup.
Injuries limited Maddox to just nine games last year, had offseason surgery on a toe, and whose contract extension signed in 2021 expires after the 2024 season, but has a $10 million salary cap charge in that final year.
“You go back and watch his college film, that’s what he did,” said Eagles DB coach D.K. McDonald about McPhearson playing in the slot. “He played a little bit of nickel in there. So, just trying to create more opportunities, one for him to get on the field, but two, just to make sure we have guys ready to go there.”
Patrick Johnson. You look at this outside linebacker/edge rusher’s stats and it’s surprising to see he has yet to record his first NFL sack after two seasons in the league because he has come close on many occasions.
His snaps rose by 11 percent from his rookie season, when he entered the league as a seventh-round pick from Tulane in 2021, to 21 percent last year. It will be interesting to see how, or even if, new DC Sean Desai uses him.
Boston Scott. The running back is a survivor who will play on his third one-year contract, all with the Eagles. He is known as the Giant Killer, because of his success against the Eagles NFC East rival New York Giants, but he is more than that.
He is now the leader of the running back room, an experienced voice who accepts whatever role he is given.
Entering his sixth season with the Eagles, Scott has had opportunities to leave for other teams but has chosen to return. Why?
"Familiarity with the system,” he said. “I think it's a great system. I love the guys around here, the city of Philadelphia has definitely treated me well. And I have a lot of love for the people around in this building.
“It's a good - a great - organization. It starts from the top to the bottom. The coaches and staff really care about the players, and I wanted to come back and we'll see what happens but this place has been special to me so here I am.”
Ed Kracz covers the Philadelphia Eagles for SI's EaglesToday.
Please follow him and our Eagles coverage on Twitter at @kracze.
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