Latest news with #AveryWilliams
USA Today
10-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Three Eagles roster spots and the nine wide receivers on the bubble fighting to claim them
Only three will survive a nine-man race for three Eagles roster spots. Discussing the top of the Philadelphia Eagles' depth chart is a nice way to spend a football junkie's time. When we discuss elite contenders that 'look good on paper, Philadelphia is one of those rosters that sits atop everyone's list. Every position has potential stars or emerging talent. Ten of the 11 offensive starters from last year's depth chart are back. Most of last year's defensive starters are also returning, although the departures of Josh Sweat, Darius Slay, and C.J. Gardner-Johnson have left gaps that need to be addressed on that side of the ball. Most starting positions are filled. The key battles will be at right guard, outside cornerback, and the safety position across from Reed Blankenship. Once training camp begins, all eyes will also be tuned to that battle at wide receiver. Nine Eagles are competing for three roster spots. There isn't a better wide receiver duo than A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith. Jahan Dotson provides the Eagles with a solid albeit underrated option in the slot position. That's as good as it gets when mentioning the top of an offensive depth chart. The question is, who are the next three guys? The expectation is that Philadelphia will carry six wide receivers on the 53-man roster, and there are nine guys on the training camp and preseason unit vying for the last three positions. The Eagles didn't get what they hoped out of Ainias Smith in year one, hence the addition of Avery Williams (more on that later). If a roster needed to be pieced together today, Smith would probably be on the squad, but that could change if someone performs better this summer. Johnny Wilson is the big-bodied receiver the Eagles are always seemingly searching for. He didn't capitalize on the opportunities he saw as a rookie, but they may be willing to continue working with him because they used draft capital to acquire him. Make no mistake, though. He isn't promised anything. Things didn't work out for Terrace Marshall at his first stop, the Carolina Panthers. He now joins the Eagles looking for a fresh start. His speed is elite, but he'll need to show more than that to catapult himself onto the roster. Elijah Cooks signed with the Eagles' practice squad on January 14. He signed a future contract on February 14. Now, he's hoping to make some noise at training camp. Danny Gray will forever be a Super Bowl champion after hanging out on the Eagles' practice squad last season. Most would rather earn their ring through more on-field contributions. Trust and believe that he isn't looking for another long stint on the Eagles' scout team roster It feels like Avery Williams has an inside track to a roster spot thanks to his skills as a returner. Britain Covey is gone. Ainias Smith didn't seize the opportunity in 2024, so pencil Williams in at the top of the special teams depth chart. The last three guys on this list are probably the top cut candidates. All are undrafted rookie free agents. Cooper hails from Tarleton State. He was a First-Team Associated Press FCS All-American. Taylor Morin has a huge uphill climb to make if he's going to catapult himself onto the roster. In 61 career games, he notched 227 receptions, 2,974 yards, and 21 career TDs. He's experienced. We'll see if it pays off. Giles Jackson earned Second-team All-Big Ten honors in 2020 with the Michigan Wolverines. He transferred to the Washington Huskies. He's a five-foot-nine potential slot receiver who notched 85 receptions, 893 yards receiving, and seven TDs during his final season at the collegiate level.
Yahoo
08-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Eagles' Fullback Comments Take New Light in Waiver Claim
Eagles' Fullback Comments Take New Light in Waiver Claim originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Philadelphia Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie turned heads during league meetings this offseason when he declared that the organization hoped to bring back the fullback position in 2025. Advertisement Their latest pickup may not be a true fullback, but he certainly sheds new light on the comment about change in general. The Eagles claimed running back/return specialist Keilan Robinson off waivers from the Jacksonville Jaguars. Robinson was a fifth-round pick in the 2024 draft and recorded just five offensive snaps during his rookie campaign. So what's the big deal? The Alabama and Texas product recorded over 900 kick-return yards in college while adding over 1,100 yards from scrimmage on the offensive side of the ball. At 5-9 and 183 pounds, Robinson is hardly a fullback; he's the farthest thing from that. Advertisement He is set up to compete for a spot on the practice squad. ... but his experience as a returner could also help the team. The organization signed Avery Williams in the offseason, which could be seen as adding competition to the role. Hypothetically, though, let's say Robinson can earn a spot on the game-day roster. Can he add a wrinkle as an extra back? This waiver claim of Robinson isn't specific to the fullback position ... but it does show Philadelphia's continuous pursuit to run the football is never-ending. And it's not just because of Saquon Barkley's excellence, either. The organization has truly committed to bringing players who can operate a run-first offense. ... with more news about what can be done with a fullback maybe on the horizon. Advertisement Related: Eagles Legends to Coach Against Each Other at Lincoln Financial Field Related: Eagles' Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean Already Ranked Among NFL's Best CB Duos This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 7, 2025, where it first appeared.
USA Today
14-03-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Eagles sign former Falcons return specialist in free agency
Eagles sign former Falcons return specialist in free agency Report: Ex-Falcons return man Avery Williams signs with Eagles in free agency According to a report from The Athletic's Dianna Russini, the Philadelphia Eagles are signing former Atlanta Falcons running back Avery Williams to a one-year contract. The 26-year-old spent last season as Atlanta's starting punt returner. The Falcons drafted Williams in the fifth round of the 2021 NFL draft out of Boise State. Despite entering the league as a defensive back, former Falcons head coach Arthur Smith moved Williams to running back during his second season. Last year, Williams returned 20 punts for 185 total yards, while returning 15 kickoffs for another 408 yards (27.2 yards per return). Atlanta did not give Williams a single carry at running back last season. In 2022, he rushed for 109 yards and one touchdown on 22 carries. The Falcons have already re-signed Pro Bowl wide receiver/special-teamer KhaDarel Hodge to a two-year deal. Plus, wide receiver Ray-Ray McCloud split time with Williams returning kicks, so perhaps he'll take over full time in 2025. Stay up to date with each reported signing using our 2025 Falcons free agency tracker.
Yahoo
28-01-2025
- Yahoo
Chapel Hill residents on alert after shots fired at NC trooper hit cars amid 113 mph chase on I-40
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (WNCN) — Some Chapel Hill residents are on alert while the search continues for three suspects wanted for shooting at a North Carolina trooper during a chase that reached speeds around 113 mph over the weekend. The early Saturday morning chase involving a stolen car came to a crashing end at the Timber Hollow Apartments on Timber Hollow Court near Mendel Drive. 'I looked outside. I saw two officers with lights on pull up at the side of our building. So that made me worry a little bit more about what was going on,' resident Laila Valentine said. 'I checked it a little bit later. There was more officers that came. They had the K-9 dogs sniffing around and flashlights.' According to the North Carolina State Highway Patrol, the suspects also shot and hit several parked cars at the complex and crashed into others around 3 a.m. Saturday. Nigerian man extradited stateside to face charges in Rock Hill teen's 2022 death 'They came through and we heard gunshots that woke us up in my apartment,' resident Avery Williams said. 'I was pretty worried. I had like a I pretty like confident and the state trooper because he was like right behind the suspects. ' The chase started just after 2:30 a.m. when a trooper with the North Carolina State Highway Patrol tried to stop a driver traveling 113 mph in a 65-mph zone on I-40 west near the 266-mile marker in Orange County, officials said. The driver failed to stop and during the chase, the trooper confirmed the fleeing driver was in a stolen car. Trio wanted after shooting at trooper during 113 mph Orange County I-40 chase with crash in Chapel Hill, officials say As the suspect vehicle entered the town of Chapel Hill, the occupants began firing at the trooper and hit several parked cars in an apartment complex on Timber Hollow Court near Mendel Drive. There were no reports of anyone injured. The three suspects then crashed the stolen car dead end of Mendel Drive. The ski-masked-wearing suspects jumped out of the wrecked car and took off running through nearby woods. Neighbors woke up to the gunfire along with flashing police lights and sirens. 'A car was getting chased by a state trooper, then they came through and we heard gunshots that woke us up in my apartment,' Williams added. 'And this is our neighbor's car. It was shot here. But you can see the bullet hole. But on another car, two windows were broken. You can see the glass on the ground.' Timber Hollow residents told CBS 17 that their apartment management notified them to be on alert as the search goes on for the three armed and dangerous suspects. Officers said anyone with information about the shooting and chase should contact 911 or the Chapel Hill Police Department at 919-968-2760. Callers who wish to remain anonymous can call Chapel Hill-Carrboro-UNC Crimestoppers at 919-942-7515. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
