Add another rookie wide receiver, Darius Cooper to the growing list of players to watch
Do this job long enough, and people will often ask you a question: ‘What do you talk about when the Philadelphia Eagles‘ season ends?’ Typically, that question is answered by stating the following. When exactly does football season end?
February alone brings the Senior Bowl and NFL Combine. Then, we’re discussing collegiate prospects, Pro Days, and Top 30 visits until the NFL Draft in April.
Once that’s done, we’re on to rookie minicamps, OTAs, mandatory minicamps, and training camp. Guess what? Another rookie seems to be turning heads.
We know who the Eagles‘ top three wide receivers are. There are also tons of talented players competing for a possible three available spots on the 53-man roster.
Eagles’ preseason practices cast a spotlight on another rookie WR
Terrace Marshall had a physical setback and missed some time at training camp practice. That opened the door for some of the young guys, and they wasted no time in walking right through.
Elijah Cooks has turned heads. He has been the fourth-best receiver at camp, but another rookie has also made a name for himself.
Write Darius Cooper’s name down if you haven’t already. He earned some unprompted praise from his head coach during a recent Nick Sirianni press conference. An Eagles executive echoed Coach’s words while speaking with Sports Illustrated.
“The kid keeps making plays”. Anyone who has seen him work will agree with the sentiment. The undrafted rookie provided two highlight-reel moments recently.
He laid out to snag one during an end-of-game situational drill, and he beat fifth-round draftee Mac McWilliams on a slot fade from Tanner McKee during another session. McWilliams has been impressive too, but he gives up an inch in height and 25 pounds to the more stout Cooper.
Cooper isn’t expected to make the 53-man roster, but the Eagles hope the 76 receptions, 1,450 yards receiving, and 14 TDs translate. The level of competition he is seeing now far exceeds what he saw with the Tarleton State Texans, but it is good to see he is making the most of opportunities.
