The Eagles selected their player with the ninth overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft.
According to a formal team announcement, the Philadelphia Eagles signed veteran free agency wide receiver John Ross on Thursday morning. A few days ago, DeVante Parker abruptly declared his NFL retirement. Now, this bombshell. The Eagles were considering expanding their wide receiver depth after his departure. Given that the Eagles invited Ross to take part in their rookie minicamp after the 2024 NFL Draft, we knew he was a player to watch. What we wrote at the time is as follows:
Despite being only 28, Ross hasn’t participated in an NFL game since the 2021 campaign. He played in just a few Kansas City Chiefs training camp practices before announcing his retirement from sports in July of last year. In addition, Prior to the 2017 NFL Draft, Ross was a target for the Eagles. Although he was supposedly one of five players they liked at No. 14, it is clear that he was not their choice.
After being selected, Ross had consistency problems and injuries; in his first five seasons, he played in just 37 of 81 games. With 62 receptions for 957 yards (15.4 average) and 11 touchdowns, he has completed 143 career targets. It’s possible that Ross may be added to the Eagles’ 90-man offseason roster if he can still run as fast as he did, setting a record in his 4.22-second 40-yard dash. It wouldn’t hurt to give him a try to see if he can make the squad, particularly since the Eagles are looking for a big play capable low volume target to take Quez Watkins’ spot.
It appears that Ross didn’t look well enough during his tryout for the Eagles to sign him right away. However, it appears that he looked good enough for the Eagles, who still needed receiver help, to come back to him. Ross has an opportunity to demonstrate that he belongs on the Eagles’ roster throughout offseason workouts and preseason games. We’ll watch to see if he can maximize it.