The Eagles have never been shy about betting on traits, and this year’s rookie class includes two more swings at that kind of upside. Quarterback Cole Payton, a fifth-round pick, and defensive tackle Uar Bernard, a seventh-round selection, arrived in Philadelphia as raw prospects with enough intrigue to make the front office lean in.
That approach is nothing new for Howie Roseman. The Eagles have made a habit of chasing players with unusual backgrounds and big ceilings, and the clearest example remains Jordan Mailata, the 2018 seventh-round pick who had never played a snap of football before coming over from Australian rugby. Roseman’s group also took a strong shot on Jalyx Hunt three drafts ago, using a third-round pick on a former safety who became a pass-rushing force.
Now Payton and Bernard are the latest tests of that same philosophy, and both are staring at a tough roster squeeze on a team with Super Bowl expectations.
Zach Berman of The Athletic laid out how he sees the situation unfolding, and he pointed to a few different paths that could keep both rookies around.
"Whether it’s keeping three quarterbacks because of a trade or Cole Payton’s performance (or injury) in training camp/preseason, or a Bernard injury that allows the Eagles to stash him on injured reserve, it will sort itself out."
He also noted the complication with Bernard’s international player designation, which functions as an extra practice squad spot.
"I’m skeptical that the Eagles would be able to keep Bernard with the international player designation, which is essentially an extra practice squad spot. Another team might be inclined to sign him to the 53-man roster and stash him.
It depends on how he looks this summer. But the Eagles showed with Jordan Mailata in 2018 and 2019 that they were not going to release a project with organizational investment, and I expect them to treat Bernard the same way.
That might be a luxury spot on the roster (or a conveniently timed injury)."
For Payton, the path looks a little cleaner. With veteran free-agent addition Andy Dalton struggling recently, Tanner McKee appears to have a firm hold on the backup quarterback job. That leaves Payton in position to stick around and develop through the season.
Dalton could be kept on the practice squad, though that would leave him exposed to another team. Philadelphia could also move on from him entirely, since another veteran third-string quarterback can be found on the open market. Either way, Payton’s upside and skill set should be enough to keep him in the building.
Bernard’s case feels more familiar to Eagles fans. The Mailata comparison is hard to miss.
In 2018, Philadelphia declined to try to sneak the Australian rugby player onto the practice squad because another team might have claimed him. Instead, he made the 53-man roster despite being a major project, then landed on injured reserve in December of his rookie year.
That same logic may be at work again. Bernard has already been turning heads, and Mailata himself has been impressed by the kind of upside the rookie brings.
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