The Philadelphia Eagles aim to finalize their 90-man roster ahead of minicamp, and they appear to have secured the final piece to the puzzle.
Philadelphia signed running back Keilan Robinson and released wide receiver Ife Adeyi. Robinson was a fifth-round pick of the Jacksonville Jaguars during the 2024 NFL Draft. He played in just six games and returned two kickoffs for 34 yards.
This is a typical Eagles general manager, Howie Roseman, who is skilled at finding recently drafted players who have been released and adding them to the roster. Eagles fans might not see it now, but there is an opportunity for Robinson to make the team.
Robinson’s ticket to the roster is on special teams
While playing for the Texas Longhorns in college, Robinson was an exceptional returner, taking a kickoff back for a touchdown in 2023. On offense, he was more used as a swift army knife in the running game and through the air.
It’s doubtful Robinson will get significant time in the backfield with Saquon Barkley, Will Shipley, and A.J. Dillon occupying the top three spots on the depth chart. There is an opening in the return game that the Eagles desperately need to fill.
Britain Covey held that position over the last three years before signing with the Los Angeles Rams during the offseason and Shipley returned some kickoffs, but the team has bigger plans for him on offense. Bleeding Green Nation Eagles reporter Brandon Lee Gowton noted that OTAs this week that undrafted rookie running back ShunDerrick Powell, undrafted rookie wide receiver Giles Jackson, and Danny Gray all were back at kick returner.
If Robinson wants to get his shot at making the roster, he needs to steal the kick returner job from Powell, Jackson, and Gray. The Eagles might even want him at punt return and remove Cooper DeJean from those duties.
Robinson’s 4.42 40-yard dash speed would make a perfect fit for special teams and might be able to make a play or two on offense during preseason. He never had a real shot in Jacksonville so a change of scenery could be what he needs to breakthrough in the NFL.