The Philadelphia Eagles made some roster moves this week, signing two players to futures contracts. These signings include RB Tyrion Davis-Price and OT Darian Kinnard, both of whom were drafted in the 2022 NFL Draft. Additionally, they secured former Lions edge rusher Julian Okwara last week, rounding up these three new additions to the team.
Davis-Price’s performance metrics show a discrepancy between his college and professional play. While his yards per carry average of 4.6 is considered good in the NFL, it was not particularly impressive during his time at LSU. Despite being initially projected as a Day 3 prospect, he was selected on Day 2, possibly due to his impressive 4.48 Combine time for his size. Although he showcased moments of explosiveness at LSU, his performance in the pros with the San Francisco 49ers was limited, spending most of his time on the bench or practice squad.
Interestingly, the Eagles offered Davis-Price a more lucrative contract compared to typical futures contract signings. This move makes sense given the uncertainty surrounding the team’s running back situation, with several key players becoming free agents this offseason. Additionally, investing slightly more in a futures contract player could be viewed as a prudent strategy by the Eagles’ management, even though these signings are not expected to have a significant impact.
Kinnard, originally drafted by the Chiefs in the fifth round of the 2022 draft, had a limited role during his rookie season, appearing in just one game primarily on special teams. In 2023, he failed to make the Chiefs’ roster out of training camp and spent the season on their practice squad. Despite being profiled as a versatile lineman during his college years at Kentucky, with experience at both left and right tackle positions, the Chiefs primarily focused on developing him as an offensive tackle. The Eagles also announced him as an offensive tackle, indicating their intention to utilize him in that position.
As for Okwara, he was drafted by the Lions in the third round of the 2020 draft but faced challenges with injuries throughout his career. While he showed promise during the 2021 season with notable statistics, his progress was hindered by injuries in subsequent seasons. Despite his talent, Okwara’s inability to stay healthy has been a limiting factor. The Eagles are expected to evaluate him as a SAM linebacker, leveraging his skills if he can maintain his fitness.