Say what you will about NBA summer leagues, MLB spring training, and anything else that gets the blood flowing. Seldom does anything compare to the expectancy experienced during a Philadelphia Eagles summertime camp. Veterans who have been sitting out the voluntary portions return to work. New faces in new places bring new optimism.
Philadelphia enters mandatory minicamp with a dozen wide receivers on the 90-man offseason roster. We’re counting Avery Williams in that number. He has also been called a returner and a running back, but you get the idea.
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Williams will enjoy both cooperation and competition with the likes of A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, and Jahan Dotson, but don’t rule out a former San Francisco 49ers prospect. He’s been turning heads, and there are theories that his stellar play might continue through the summer.
Keep an eye on Danny Gray at Eagles minicamp
Every year, there are those handful of guys. Undrafted rookies and former castoffs… Newly-acquired Birds who are hoping for a fresh start in a new city. They face challenging climbs, trying to impress the right people and secure a spot on the 53-man roster.
Of the aforementioned dozen Eagles wide receivers, six will probably find their way onto the active roster. The rest are auditioning for opportunities on the practice squad or, if they’re lucky, a chance to play elsewhere.
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Brown, Smith, and Dotson will make the Eagles’ team. It’s also wise to place wagers on Johnny Wilson, Ainias Smith, and Avery Williams.
So, in keeping with the theory of six wideouts, if the math is correct, we’ve seemingly named them, so where does that leave someone like Terrace Marshall? How about someone with a longer shot of earning his place on the depth chart?
Feast your eyes on Danny Gray. He returns for another chance at glory after winning a Super Bowl as part of Philadelphia’s scout team last season. He’d rather be on the field, though, and he’s doing all he can to achieve that. He’s done what guys in his position are asked: Make the most of every opportunity. As a result, he enters mandatory minicamp with some buzz.
As OTAs wore on, it became apparent that A.J. and DeVonta wouldn’t be attending. Gray’s opportunities increased. He made the most of them by impressing coaches and fellow teammates, which is precisely what he should do.
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Gray doesn’t have much of a regular-season sample size to grade him on. He was a third-round choice of the San Francisco 49ers during the 2022 NFL Draft. He appeared in 13 games as a rookie, played 87 offensive snaps, and caught one pass for ten yards.
It bears repeating. Gray’s chances of making this Eagles roster are slim, razor thin, almost, but don’t tell him that. He has come to compete. With good coaching and a little luck, good things may happen. Might there be a little Zack Baun in him? Time will tell. Keep an eye on him. There’s a possibility we’re in for a preseason show.
This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: Ex-49ers castoff expected to continue making waves at Eagles minicamp