Eagles 2026 OTAs Preview: 5 Sleepers That Could Surprise

The Philadelphia Eagles will begin phase three of their offseason program this week with the start of OTAs. It’ll offer the coaching staff their first glimpse at the reworked roster during team drills. While live contact isn’t permitted, teams are able to conduct 7-on-7, 9-on-7 and 11-on-11 drills during the third phase of the NFL’s offseason workout program.

Eagles general manager Howie Roseman has made several notable moves this offseason. While it’s easy to get excited about watching Makai Lemon or Jonathan Greenard in team drills with the Eagles for the first time, there are plenty of other players to watch for. Here are five sleepers that could surprise during OTAs.

Dameon Pierce

It’s clear that Saquon Barkley and Tank Bigsby sit atop Philadelphia’s depth chart at running back. Yet anything beyond that appears up for grabs as Will Shipley failed to standout during his second season in the NFL. Now Roseman has added Dameon Pierce as the fourth running back in the room and there is still time for Philadelphia to make another addition at the position.

Pierce got off to an impressive start early in his NFL career, as he rushed for nearly 1,000 yards during his rookie season with the Houston Texans. Yet injuries and inconsistent production have limited the 26-year-old running back, which resulted in him being released by the Texans and picked up by the Kansas City Chiefs. Despite his recent struggles, Pierce has upside as a kick returner and the experience to truly push Shipley.

Elijah Moore

The Eagles have completely revamped their wide receiver room this offseason, as many expect A.J. Brown to eventually be traded. Roseman added four notable wide receivers in Makai Lemon, Dontayvion Wicks, Hollywood Brown and Elijah Moore. While the first three are widely regarded as locks to make the final roster, Moore appears to be an afterthought.

When the Eagles initially signed Moore to a one-year deal, some believed it was due to his friendship with Brown. Yet it’s important to note how well Moore could potentially fit in new offensive coordinator Sean Mannion’s offense. Moore has the ability to win in the intermediate part of the field and make plays after the catch. If Moore can add value as a returner on special teams, it could help his chances of sticking around in Philadelphia.

Cameron Latu

It’s hard to find a bigger fan of Cameron Latu’s game than myself. Latu first caught my eye during preseason games last season, as he was constantly in on nearly every tackle. His effort and passion for the game was apparent but then he took a step forward on offense as well. Philadelphia’s coaching staff started utilizing Latu as a fullback and he appeared to truly show promise in that role. Yet his usage was inconsistent and frustrating at times.

Now Latu will have a clean slate in Mannion’s offense, which will be incorporating the wide-zone blocking scheme that has become a hit in San Francisco. But guess who Latu was drafted by in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft? 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan. While things didn’t work for Latu in San Francisco, his familiarity with the scheme and upward trajectory last season could help him surprise a few people in 2026.

Ta’Quon Graham

The Eagles signed former fifth-round pick Ta’Quon Graham to the practice squad when he was released by the Atlanta Falcons last November. Graham showed flashes during his time with the Falcons but has dealt with injuries in recent years. Now the 27-year-old will look to capitalize on a fresh start with the Eagles and he has all of the tools to do so. Here’s a look at Graham’s spider chart, according to MockDraftable.com:

Graham is currently listed at 6’4” and 294 lbs. on Philadelphia’s roster, although the Eagles also list him as a defensive end. Yet he is actually heavier than Moro Ojomo, Byron Young and Ty Robinson. My guess is that Graham will actually play inside, which is what he primarily did in Atlanta. Given the underwhelming play of Philadelphia’s backup interior defensive linemen last season, I truly believe that Graham could surprise and push for a spot on the final 53-man roster in 2026.

Kapena Gushiken

While the Eagles signed a few notable undrafted free agents, former Ole Miss defensive back Kapena Gushiken flew under the radar. Well he did until Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio name-dropped him when discussing Philadelphia’s safety competition. Fangio even dubbed him “Gush,” which is notable because receiving a nickname from the godfather is special. Now Gushiken is a player that I’ll be watching closely during OTAs.

At 5’9” and 189 lbs., Gushiken certainly doesn’t possess an imposing frame. Yet he makes up for it with his athleticism and versatility on the field. Gushiken reportedly ran the 40-yard dash in 4.35 seconds, while also posting a 40” vertical jump and an 11’ broad jump. The 23-year-old primarily played in the slot in college, yet he also spent time at safety and outside cornerback. Gushiken’s size and versatility reminds me of Avonte Maddox and it could win him a backup job in Philadelphia.