The practice squad of the Philadelphia Eagles is a desired destination for players on the NFL’s fringe. General manager Howie Roseman touted the organization as a “Quarterback Factory” after drafting quarterback Jalen Hurts in the second round in the 2020 NFL Draft, but “Practice Squad Factory” might be a more fitting label.
Over the last couple of years, the Eagles have had to turn to their practice squad players to contribute meaningful snaps in NFL games more than any other team in the league. Through the first half of the season, 2020 has been no different.
So when the Eagles add a player to or lose a player from their practice squad, it gets more attention in Philadelphia than it does in other cities. During their Week 9 bye week, the team has made a number of moves. Let’s go over them below.
IN: TE Jason Croom
OUT: QB Josh McCown
The Houston Texans surprisingly signed Josh McCown from the Eagles’ practice squad to their active roster this week. The Eagles love McCown, but he wasn’t even in the building or on the practice field this season. Due to the strange nature of the 2020 season and the expanded practice squad rosters, McCown was a virtual employee who participated in meetings from his home in Texas.
The thinking behind having McCown on the practice squad was odd but made sense. By having McCown has a remote contributor, the Eagles could keep him as a mentor for the younger quarterbacks on the roster while also having him as an emergency quarterback if a COVID-19 outbreak affected their quarterback room. Since McCown would be 1,500 miles away in his home, he would be far removed from the Novacare Complex and could be called upon as a break-only-in-case-of-emergency option.
But the Texans signed McCown, who spoke to the Eagles about a coaching position in the offseason but still has a desire to play, to their active roster this week. In losing McCown, the Eagles no longer have their emergency option but still have three quarterbacks in Carson Wentz, Jalen Hurts, and Nate Sudfeld on the active roster.
To fill McCown’s spot on the practice squad, the Eagles brought back tight end Jason Croom. You may remember Croom as the guy who played one snap against the Ravens and caught a touchdown pass:
Croom was originally signed by the Eagles to their practice squad on September 29. He was elevated twice from the practice squad ahead of the Steelers and Ravens games, catching a touchdown against Baltimore. He was signed to the active roster on October 21 and played 10 more snaps on offense in the wins over the the Giants and Cowboys.
IN: TE Hakeem Butler, LB Rashad Smith
OUT: WR Marcus Green, LB Dante Olson
Earlier in the week, the Eagles added tight end Hakeem Butler and linebacker Rashad Smith to the practice squad. In corresponding moves, wide receiver Marcus Green and linebacker Dante Olson were released. Let’s address these one at a time.
Hakeem Butler
Butler is the most intriguing name on this list, for reasons we outlined in our Who is Hakeem Butler story about a month ago. In short, he was an intriguing wide receiver prospect in the 2019 NFL Draft, with some analysts predicting he could be taken as early as the first round.
Butler was a standout wide receiver at Iowa State who was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in the fourth round of the 2019 NFL Draft. As the first pick in the fourth round, that also means he was the first pick on Day 3 of the draft, so the Cardinals had plenty of time to think about the pick.
The Eagles have been giving Butler a crash course at the tight end position, but it’s likely one that is going to take time. By signing him to their practice squad, the team is hoping he can continue to develop (and add some weight) with a chance at competing for a roster spot in 2021. With Zach Ertz’s future in Philadelphia very much a question mark right now, there could be an opportunity at the tight end position next season.
Rashad Smith
Here is what the team’s official website has to say about Rashad Smith:
A rookie free agent out of Florida Atlantic, Rashad Smith originally signed with the Chicago Bears following the 2020 NFL Draft and was cut at the end of Training Camp. The Bears signed Smith to their practice squad until he was signed to the Cowboys’ active roster. He did not appear in a game before he was waived on October 26.
A three-year starter at Florida Atlantic, Smith ended his FAU career with 316 tackles, 31 tackles for loss, 11.5 sacks, seven interceptions, two forced fumbles, and six fumble recoveries. He had a pick-six in his final college game, an upset of SMU in the Boca Raton Bowl.
Smith is obviously someone the Eagles liked coming out of the 2020 NFL Draft but were unable to sign him. Based on this scouting report from ProFootballNetwork.com, he profiles as much more athletic than Dante Olson, who he is replacing:
Positives: Undersized linebacker who flies around the action and sells out to make plays. Stays with assignments, fires up the field in run defense and wraps up tackling. Breaks down well, possesses good change-of-direction and chases the action hard. Remains disciplined with coverage assignments.
Negatives: Plays to his 40 time, displays average pursuit speed and does not look comfortable in reverse. More of a drag-down tackler.
Analysis: Smith is a hard-charging linebacker with average physical skills for the next level. He could back up on the inside of a 3-4 alignment, but Smith must make his mark on special teams to have any hope to make a roster.
Dante Olson
Olson signed with the Eagles as an undrafted free agent after the 2020 NFL Draft. His draft stock fell after a lackluster performance at the NFL Combine:
Marcus Green
Marcus Green was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in the sixth round of the 2019 NFL Draft, but he was waived during final cutdowns at the end of August. He has spent the better part of the last two years on the Eagles’ practice squad but has been waived and re-signed multiple times.
