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Happy Easter Sunday! Well, if you don't celebrate the holiday or are checking your phone while your mother-in-law talks about her pottery class, we have some special Easter eggs for you. The Eagles are getting set to address some serious needs in just a few weeks in the draft, but let's not forget about some of the young depth already on the roster.
While the draft is pretty much all there is to talk about these days, the Eagles do have players that they like quite a bit at the bottom of the totem pole. Since BGN is in the holiday spirit, we decided to look at the ten players that you may have forgotten about on the team that could make an impact in 2014.
The Eagles Easter eggs are listed below:
Matt Tobin, OT, 2nd Season
How He Got Here: Tobin signed as an undrafted free agent out of Iowa. He spent the entire season on the active roster.
What He Has Done: Despite being on the active roster throughout his entire rookie season, Tobin only appeared in one game in 2013.
His Potential Role Moving Forward: While he has competition in Allen Barbre and Dennis Kelly, Tobin seems to be relatively well-liked by the coaching staff. The line needs youth and Tobin has the size to eventually become a potential starter at right tackle down the road and be the swing tackle in the meantime.
Keelan Johnson, S, 2nd Season
How He Got Here: Johnson was signed to the practice squad after being waived by the Dolphins in September. He was eventually called up to the active roster in late-2013.
What He Has Done: Johnson appeared in two regular season games for the Eagles in his rookie season. He played mostly on special teams and collected one tackle. He also appeared in the team's playoff loss to the Saints.
His Potential Role Moving Forward: Johnson will likely have an uphill battle in making the roster with Malcolm Jenkins, Nate Allen and Earl Wolff in the lineup along with special teams ace Chris Maragos joining the group. He has to hope the Eagles avoid the position in the draft (not likely) or keep six guys. He will be a training camp player to watch. He is still practice squad eligible.
Travis Long, LB, 2nd Season
How He Got Here: Long was signed in July 2013 as an undrafted free agent out of Washington State. He spent the entire season on the practice squad while he recovering from injuries sustained in college and learning the playbook.
What He Has Done: Long has learned the defensive playbook, having been the practice squad all of his rookie season.
His Potential Role Moving Forward: Long has the ability to cover and rush the passer. He may be fit to steal Casey Matthews' role as the backup JAKE linebacker. He will compete with the newly-signed Bryan Braman for playing time in his second season. He is still practice squad eligible.
Michael Bamiro, OT, 2nd Season
How He Got Here: Bamiro signed with the Eagles as an undrafted free agent out of Stony Brook. The massive man was trained by current assistant coach Tra Thomas prior to the signing.
What He Has Done: Bamiro learned the playbook and the NFL game by staying on the practice squad throughout the 2013 season.
His Potential Role Moving Forward: As mentioned with Tobin, Bamiro may have a shot as a backup offensive tackle that sees playing time on special teams and in relief of injuries. He has the tools to play, but it is a matter of whether or not he can adapt to the higher competition.
Josh Kaddu, LB, 3rd Season
How He Got Here: Kaddu signed a futures contract with the Eagles in January after two seasons with the Dolphins.
What He Has Done: Kaddu played in five games over two seasons with Miami. He is a former Oregon Duck, who has familiarity with coaches on the Eagles staff.
His Potential Role Moving Forward: With Jake Knott suspended for the first four games of the upcoming season, Kaddu and Emmanuel Acho could competing for his spot on the opening day roster. Kaddu's familiarity with Chip Kelly could give him a leg up in that battle.
Matthew Tucker, RB, 2nd Season
How He Got Here: Tucker signed with the Eagles as an undrafted free agent prior to training camp in 2013. He was on the active roster for a large portion of his rookie season after initially being on the practice squad.
What He Has Done: Tucker appeared in two games as a rookie and served exclusively on special teams.
His Potential Role Moving Forward: Tucker, like Johnson, has an uphill battle in front of him. While the Eagles may part ways with Bryce Brown, they did just add Darren Sproles and may draft another back in May. Tucker needs to take advantage of his awesome size at his position and prove during the preseason that he can a difference on special teams. He still has practice squad eligibility.
Jason Phillips, LB, 6th Season
How He Got Here: Phillips signed a free agent contract with the Eagles last year after five seasons with the Ravens and Panthers.
What He Has Done: He tore his ACL during training camp in 2013 and has yet to play a snap as an Eagle. A special teams standout, Phillips has appeared in 29 NFL games and has compiled 31 tackles in five seasons with Baltimore and Carolina.
His Potential Role Moving Forward: Depending on how his knee has healed, Phillips will likely serve as a veteran backup behind DeMeco Ryans at inside linebacker. He will likely be counted on to provide special teams success.
Emil Igwenagu, TE, 3rd Season
How He Got Here: Igwenagu has been on-and-off the active roster over the last two seasons. He originally signed as an undrafted free agent out of Massachusetts.
What He Has Done: Igwenagu has bounced from the practice squad to active roster to practice squad. He appeared in three games as a rookie but did not play at all in 2013.
His Potential Role Moving Forward: Depending on how the Eagles handle James Casey, Igwenagu could struggle to make the roster. He was on the opening day squad last season, so the Eagles clearly values him. If the team keeps four tight ends, he has a real shot of sticking around. He still has practice squad eligibility.
Najee Goode, LB, 3rd Season
How He Got Here: Goode was claimed off of waivers from the Buccaneers prior to the 2013 season. He spent all of last season on the Eagles active roster.
What He Has Done: Goode played three games for Tampa Bay as a rookie, but after getting waived, he was picked up by Philadelphia. He served mostly on special teams, but started one game last season and made a positive impression. He finished last season with 21 tackles, one sack and four pass breakups in 14 games (one start).
His Potential Role Moving Forward: Goode is likely to stick around as a backup to Mychal Kendricks at inside linebacker and will continue his role on special teams.
Joe Kruger, DE/LB, 2nd Season
How He Got Here: Kruger was a seventh round pick by the Eagles in 2013 and was placed on injured reserve shortly after the preseason.
What He Has Done: Kruger was on injured reserve all last season.
His Potential Role Moving Forward: He could fill the spot left by Clifton Geathers as a backup defensive end. It is unclear how he will be used as a bit of tweener, but the team liked him enough to draft him.