How Former Eagles Camp Darlings Panned Out
By Dylan MacKinnon Every year there is that one player in camp. The guy who goes from undrafted/ late round pick/ minor offseason signing, to being the guy everyone is…
PHILADELPHIA, PA – AUGUST 12: Tyree Jackson #80 of the Philadelphia Eagles looks on against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the preseason game at Lincoln Financial Field on August 12, 2021 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
(Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)By Dylan MacKinnon
Every year there is that one player in camp. The guy who goes from undrafted/ late round pick/ minor offseason signing, to being the guy everyone is talking about. This year the two names on everyone’s lips are former 6th round pick Quez Watkins, and former QB turned TE Tyree Jackson. Quez has dazzled everyone with his speed, while Jackson’s combination of size and agility has people thinking he could grow into a legit NFL TE.
So with those two shining brightly, I wanted to take a look back at the camp darlings of prior years, apart from last year where the lack of a preseason prevented us from truly falling in love with any surprising players. Lets look at the summer loves of old, and if those relationships blossomed, or withered come the fall.
2019-Daeshon Hall- DE
Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty ImagesHall stands out on this list as the only guy who plays defense. But his 2019 preseason was one to remember. 4 sacks, 3 forced fumbles. But after making the roster, he failed to make an impact. he barley played, and when he did, he did not have the same production, tallying only a single sack. Hall is currently a free agent, failing to make a roster before training camps started this year.
2018- DeAndre Carter- Wr
(Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)Carter was one of the best WRs in the NFL in the 2018 preseason, 7th in total yards, and 3rd in yards per catch. His summer was electric, but he did not make the 53 man roster. They were able to keep him on the practice squad, and was eventually called up and used as a kick/punt returner, but was then waived again, and claimed by the Texans. Since then, he bounced to the Bears, and this offseason he signed with the Washington Football Team. he has been a solid returnman, but he has not made an impact as a WR.
2017- Corey Clement- RB
(Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)With Clement we find our first case of a camp darling who panned out. He had solid production his rookie year, but what everyone will remember him for is his TD in the Super Bowl. He was only productive for a couple years before an injury slowed him down, and he is no longer on the Eagles. But getting a key TD in a Super Bowl from an undrafted player is something you will take. He may be a NY Giant now, but fans will likely always have a soft spot for a local kid who helped the city win it's first Super Bowl.
2016- Paul Turner- WR
(Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)Paul Turner was a star in Philadelphia in the summer of 2016. He had the most catches of any player in the the preseason, with 17 for 165 yards. He also took a punt 71 yards to the house. But he did not make the team out of camp. He would later be activated to the 53 man roster, and was the most productive WR among a very unimpressive Eagles WR group. But it was not enough to keep him around. he was cut the following year. he has bounced around a few different practice squads, but has yet to make an active roster, and is currently a free agent.
2015- Rasheed Bailey- WR
(Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)Bailey was popular before he ever stepped onto the field at Training Camp. He signed as a UFA out of Delaware Valley University in Doyles town. A local kid, who was very productive in college. Fans thought the Eagles found a gem. he had a productive preseason, but was cut, and never made a NFL roster outside of being a practice squad player.
2014- Henry Josey- RB
(Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)Henry Josey was electric in the 2014 preseason. 34 carries for 225 yards, and a receiving Td on top of that. But it was not enough to break through on a crowded Eagles RB room. He was cut, and would spend the rest of his NFl career jumping around teams practice squads, before goin to the CFL. But even in the CFL he couldn't stick around, and he is currently out of Football altogether.
2013- Ifeanyi Momah-WR
(Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)The hype for Momah was less about a great preseason, and more so about his measurables. Not only is he 6 foot 7 and 239lbs, but he also ran a 4.4 40. But his production didn't match his traits, and he was cut. he would spend most of his career on different teams practice squad, before finally making the 53 man with the Cardinals as a TE, but injuries cut his time there short, and he finished his career with under 100 yards.
2012- Damaris Johnson- WR
(Photo by Evan Habeeb/Getty Images)Johnson dazzled Eagles fans in the 2012 NFL Preseason with 12 catches for 195 yards. It was good enough to make the roster, and he even got to fill in as a starter for an injured Jeremy Maclin. The most memorable part of his career with the Eagles was a 98 yard Punt return, the 3rd longest ever at the time. the following year he failed to make an impact, and he was cut. he would spend a couple more years in the NFL, but his NFL career was over by 2016.
2011- Chad Hall- WR
(Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)Chad Hall checked all the boxes on the Philly love check list. Scrappy and Undersized, check. Lunch pail guy, check. Plus he was a veteran of the Airforce. Add in a productive preseason, and fans were swooning. He had a short career as a gadget player, but did not stick around very long. His NFL career as a player was over by 2014. But he did go on to be an NFL Coach, and is currently the WRs coach for the Bills.
