Philadelphia

Eagles

The Patriots currently have Eliot Wolf as their de facto general manager. Robert Kraft is seemingly not using traditional titles for his new front office as Hunt is expected to be the team’s first external interview for this “lead personnel” position. Hunt would presumably work with Wolf to make front office decisions if hired. With new head coach Jerod Mayo and rookie quarterback Drake Maye, a new era will be underway in New England.

Things couldn’t have gone much worse for Penny or his fantasy managers in 2023. The former first-round pick signed a one-year deal with the Eagles last offseason and was expected to compete for touches in a shared backfield with D’Andre Swift and Kenneth Gainwell. Instead, Penny spent most of his weeks as a healthy scratch, amassing just 38 yards from scrimmage on 12 touches. Penny will be one of many backs competing for a backup running back role in camp and shouldn’t be viewed as a lock to make the 53-man roster.

The former Michigan guard signed his four-year rookie contract Sunday, agreeing to terms with the Eagles. Keegan should back up left guard Landon Dickerson for a team that suddenly has a hoard of new faces in the offensive line room.

The Eagles signed Becton to a one-year contract at the end of April after losing Jack Driscoll and Sua Opeta to free agency. Becton has dealt with a myriad of injuries during his brief career, appearing in just 31 games across four seasons. This likely played a role in the Jets’ decision not to bring him back after his rookie contract expired in 2023. If he can stay on the field, Becton can provide stability along the right side of the line when needed. He earned a PFF pass-blocking grade of 60.7 last season but made all but two of his starts at left tackle and faced several top EDGE rushers on that side of the ball.

There was plenty of pre-draft chatter that the hulking Wilson (6'6/231) could fit better as a tight end in the NFL. Roseman told reporters on Monday that Wilson “can run the full route tree” and that wideouts are usually moved to tight end when they lack “lower body flexibility to get in and out of breaks.” “We don’t see that with Johnny,” Roseman said. Wilson, whose best collegiate season (2022) ended with 897 receiving yards, could fit in as a distant WR3 option behind A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith in 2024. His targets will be limited in the balanced Eagles offense.

Ayedze (6'4/308) was an unranked offensive tackle recruit who began his career at HBCU Frostburg State before transferring to Maryland in 2023. His lack of height allows him to be quick out of his stance and take advantage of natural leverage against taller Edges. Though Ayedze’s experience primarily comes as a bookend, he looked comfortable on the interior and took advantage of his range as a mover. What’s puzzling is that while it seems that he possesses the ability to torque down, he sometimes lacks the core strength to effectively redirect players. Ayedze’s inexperience in the sport shows in his dizzying rate of switching his head around looking for the correct man to block. Nevertheless, the performances that earned him an All-American nod in Division II could translate to the pro game with steady coaching and extended exposure to higher levels of competition.

Worth “up to” $5.5 million, the deal is contingent on a Monday physical, which is no sure thing in Becton’s case. Still, Philly undoubtedly knows what it is getting into. The Eagles, who addressed guard but not tackle during the draft, have needed a swing tackle since losing Jack Driscoll and Sua Opeta in free agency. Becton finally stayed healthy in 2023, but was more part of the problem than solution on the Jets’ right side.

Ross retired last season but is now reportedly looking at a comeback. An injury-riddle career limited him to just 37 games over five seasons, and Ross hasn’t taken a regular-season snap since 2021, when he went for 11-224-1 with the Giants. At 28 years old, durability is more of a concern for Ross than age. While it’s possible he does enough to earn an invitation to camp, it’s hard to imagine him making much of an impact even if he does latch on to a roster — in Philly or elsewhere.

A rare seven-year prospect due to a medical redshirt in 2018, Sam (5’11/191) spent five years at McNeese State before transferring to Marshall in 2022 and then LSU in 2023. He saw ample playing time wherever he played, and has also seen plenty of snaps from the slot. Sam led LSU with three interceptions last season and may be better suited for a slot role given his size and trouble with finishing tackles at the FBS level. He’ll be 26 next February, and will likely need time on a practice squad before he can be considered for a 53-man roster.

Milton (6’1/225) is a physical back out of Georgia, running for 790 yards and 14 touchdowns in his final season. He appeared in seven games each of his first two seasons before playing in 13 his junior year and 12 his senior year. Milton was not a high-volume back for the perennially contending Bulldogs, with his highest usage season coming in 2023, when he got 121 carries and five targets out of the backfield. Despite the low volume, Milton averaged an efficient 7.5 yards per carry and scored a touchdown every nine carries as a senior. His best event at the combine was a 1.51 10-yard split, tied for fastest among running backs, showing a quick starting speed. Milton profiles as a strong downhill runner at the next level who won’t do much receiving, but will break tackles and bruise opposing linebackers.