Hours before the start of the Philadelphia Eagles’ 2021 rookie minicamp on May 14, the team signed seven undrafted rookies. Among the group are five more offensive players and still no cornerback.
These signings come after Philadelphia drafted nine new rookies during the NFL Draft. The 14 players began a three-day minicamp on Friday.
OFFENSIVE ROOKIES
Jamie Newman, Quarterback
Beginning his collegiate career at Wake Forest, Newman played as a backup in 2017 and 2018, beating the starting quarterback in 2019 for the starting job. He finished that season with 2,868 receiving yards, 26 receiving touchdowns, 574 rushing yards, and six rushing touchdowns.
In 2020, he announced he would transfer to Georgia; however, he opted out of the season due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Given that the Eagles’ roster already holds second-year quarterback Jalen Hurts and veteran Joe Flacco, it remains unknown whether Neuman will make the roster or stay on the practice squad.
Jhamon Ausbon, Wide receiver
Ausbon gained a starting role with Texas A&M immediately. In his first three years with the Aggies, he finished with 1,818 yards. He was the team’s leading receiver in 2019 with 872 yards.
He opted out of the 2020 season.
Though Ausbon has the size for a WR role, he lacks speed. He does have a connection with Eagles wide receiver coach Aaron Moorehead which may be an advantage. However, the position is becoming crowded after two firt-round wide receivers were drafted the past two years.
Trevon Grimes, Wide receiver
Trevon Grimes began playing for Ohio State, transferring to Florida at the end of his freshman year. He played with the Gators for two years, completing 59 catches for 855 yards and five touchdowns.
He opted out of his senior year to prepare for the 2021 NFL Draft. Though he went undrafted, Grimes has a close relationship with Eagles quarterback coach Brian Johnson. Johnson, Grimes’ offensive coordinator in 2019, discussed how the wide receiver would fit with the Eagles.
Grimes stated, “As the saying goes, everything happens for a reason. I feel like it happened for a reason, but I’m here now. I’m an Eagle. I’m excited to get to work. I can make my own path now. I’m just excited just to be here”.
Jack Stoll, Tight end
Outside of Dallas Goedert, no one knows what is happening with the tight end position in Philadelphia.
After a knee injury struck Stoll during the 2020 season, his only statistics stem from 2018 and 2019. He finished all 12 games each season, totaling 479 yards and four touchdowns, leading Nebraska’s tight ends with a career-high 25 catches for 234 yards and one touchdown in 2019.
He has good route speed but lacks desired size and strength.
Harry Crider, Center
At 6-foot-3, 307 pounds, Harry Crider took the starting role as a junior at Indiana, beginning 12 games at left guard and one at center. In 2020, he started all eight games at center, earning honorable mention All-Big Ten honors.
He is an adequate pass blocker but lacks length.
DEFENSIVE ROOKIES
Kayode Awosika, Guard
A three-season starter, Awosika was part of a solid offensive line while at Buffalo. During 2018 and 2019, the O-line allowed a program-low 15 sacks and eight sacks, respectively. He was named All-MAC Second Team, First-Team All-Mac, and FWAA Second-Team All-American.
JaQuan Bailey, Defensive end
Bailey is a four-year starter making 23 tackles, six for a loss, and 3.5 sacks as a true freshman at Iowa State. Despite a leg injury in 2019, he returned in 2020, setting a career record for 44.5 tackles for a loss and 25.5 sacks.
NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein states that he has “consistent production as a pass rusher.” In addition, “Bailey’s rush approach is both skilled and instinctive. He displays natural counters and a variety of approaches to try to create openings into the pocket”.
