Eagles will give undrafted free agents a long look

Undrafted free agent Trey Burton could make the Eagles as a tight end this season. Credit: Getty Images Undrafted free agent Trey Burton could make the Eagles as a tight end this season. Credit: Getty Images

Antonio Gates, Wes Welker, and Arian Foster are all Pro-Bowlers. One other thing they have all been is undrafted free agents, trying to make a team.

The Eagles signed fifteen players after the draft this year, though one, Alabama cornerback John Fulton, has already been cut.

Certainly, once roster sizes begin to slim down several of these players will no longer be on the team. However, it may be that for some of these players, a productive training camp will coincide with a narrow spot on the Eagles’ depth chart.

One intriguing player is Florida tight end Trey Burton (6-foot-2, 224,) who saw playing time at every offensive skill position with the Gators. It’s no secret Chip Kelly loves a versatile player. He finished college with 720 rushing yards, 976 receiving yards, 103 passing yards, and 20 touchdowns. His experience at quarterback should prove an advantage in picking up the offense and working against defensive schemes.

If Burton shows the Eagles promise, he could provide the versatility they’d hoped for from James Casey — at a fraction of the cost. Casey was paid 4 million in 2013 while catching three passes for 31 yards.

David Fluellen is a candidate to replace Bryce Brown in the Eagles' backfield. Credit: Getty Images David Fluellen is a candidate to replace Bryce Brown in the Eagles’ backfield. Credit: Getty Images

Remaining on the offensive side of the football, Toledo running back David Fluellen (5-foot-11, 224,) finished his college career with 4,082 all-purpose yards, but missed significant time in three seasons for multiple injuries, including an ankle injury that caused him to miss three of Toledo’s final four games.

He will be campaigning to help replace the departed Bryce Brown, but it will be an uphill battle against the likes of Darren Sproles and Chris Polk. Still, Fluellen’s injury history is less troubling if the team is relying on him as a third or fourth string option than if he were a starter.

Placekicker Carey Spear (5-foot-9, 194) from Vanderbilt has a chance to unseat Alex Henery, who struggles from distance in 2013. Spear’s longest career field goal came from 54 yards out. He showed promise on kickoffs in 2013, recording 47 touchbacks on 73 kicks, more than double his total in 2012. Kickoff distance was another area of Eagle fan discontent with Henery.

Other Undrafted Signees:

Josh Andrews, G, Oregon State, 6-2, 311

Blake Annen, TE, Cincinnati, 6-4, 247

Karim Barton, G, Morgan State, 6-2, 313

Kadron Boone, WR, LSU, 6-0, 204

Kevin Graf, T, USC, 6-6, 309

Donald Hawkins, G, Texas, 6-4, 301

Henry Josey, RB, Missouri, 5-8, 194

Wade Keliikipi, DT, Oregon, 6-2, 303

Daytawion Lowe, S, Oklahoma State, 5-11, 196

Frank Mays, DE, Florida A&M, 6-9, 291

Quron Pratt, WR, Rutgers, 5-11, 195