The Eagles may already have their next training camp surprise sitting on the roster.
Last summer, that role belonged to undrafted receiver Darius Cooper. This year, the name to keep in mind is Erik Ezukanma, a late addition who could make a louder push than most people expect once camp opens.
Ezukanma joined Philadelphia after OTAs ended, arriving from the United Football League, where he played for the D.C. Defenders. In 10 regular-season games, he posted 762 all-purpose yards and one touchdown, doing damage as a receiver, runner and special teams returner.
The Eagles are asking a lot of their wide receiver group right now. With A.J.
Brown gone in a trade, the pressure on the position has only grown, and Philadelphia needs the unit to help fill that void together. The depth chart already has several names in the mix, but Ezukanma brings something different to the table.
He entered the league as a fourth-round pick of the Miami Dolphins in the 2022 NFL Draft and spent three seasons there before spending last year with the Jacksonville Jaguars. In his NFL career so far, he has one catch for three yards and five rushing attempts for 22 yards.
The battle for roster spots at receiver is going to be tight. DeVonta Smith, rookie Makai Lemon, Dontayion Wicks and Hollywood Brown appear to be the safest bets. That leaves Ezukanma competing with Elijah Moore, Cooper and Johnny Wilson for what could be one or two final openings.
What gives Ezukanma a real shot is the range he offers. He can line up as a receiver, he can run the ball, and he was one of the top returners in the UFL last season. That kind of flexibility matters, especially for a team looking for extra value at the bottom of the roster.
Special teams could be the path. Philadelphia had issues in the return game last year, and Will Shipley and A.J.
Dillon struggled on kickoff returns. Ezukanma may be able to work his way into the mix through both kickoff and punt return duties.
The next month or two will tell the story. Ezukanma has a short window to impress the coaching staff and his teammates, but if there’s a sleeper who can turn heads and steal a roster spot in camp, he looks like the best candidate to do it.
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