Eagles newcomers ’26: Why the Arnold Ebiketie deal could be among the Birds’ underrated offseason signings

Eagles newcomers 26: Why the Arnold Ebiketie deal could be among the Birds underrated offseason signings Also, undrafted rookie Jaedan Roberts is among those trying to crack a crowded rotation along the offensive line.

With Eagles training camp drawing nearer on the horizon, The Inquirer is taking a closer look at the more than three-dozen new faces who are expected to report along with the rest of the team on July 28.

Whether a 2026 draft choice, a veteran addition, or a rookie free-agent hopeful, were telling you more about each players potential role this season.Were rolling out two players per day in a mostly unscientific order that balances offense and defense, bigger names with mysteries, and locks with longer shots to be chosen for the 53-man roster.

: Ebiketie has four years of NFL experience, and his football journey began at two local schools.

The native of Cameroon played linebacker at Temple from 2017 to 2020 before transferring tofor his senior year.Ebiketie began his NFL career with the Atlanta Falcons, the team that selected him in the second round, 38th overall in the 2022 draft.

Ebiketie started 12 of 67 games played over four seasons with the Falcons.

In total, he has 16.5 career sacks and 129 tackles.

His best season came in 2022, when he logged 6.0 sacks, six tackles for loss and 38 tackles.: While the news didnt exactly dominate headlines, Ebiketie could be a sneaky good signing for the Birds.

Yes, their defensive front is loaded, but Ebiketie projects to be a decent rotational piece/situational edge rusher who will generate pressure, especially under defensive coordinator Despite a limited role in Atlanta, Ebiketie still managed to post 24 solo tackles, which ranked 45th among 115 eligible edge rushers last season.If he takes advantage of every snap, he could be another diamond-in-the-rough signing by: The Cameroonian Ebiketie did not play organized football until high school.

He initially focused on soccer and basketball when he emigrated to the United States at age 13, until his high school basketball coach challenged him to give football a try.He made a joke like, Are you scared? So, that got me, Ebiketie said via: The fans in this city and the Eagles, it goes hand in hand.

Everything is about the Eagles.

I saw that at Temple.Everything matters to them.

Im here and I know its fast-paced and very, very important.

This is a championship culture.

That is the standard here.I embrace that.

I want that and I know its going to help bring out the best in me.

Ebiketie to: Roberts is an undrafted free agent who played college ball for Alabama.

He started 12 games at right guard for the Crimson Tide in 2024 and was a projected star in 2025 before an August concussion turned him from guaranteed starter to rotational guard.He started just four games in his final season, playing in 10 overall.

: If hes going to make the roster, Roberts will need to prove that last season was a fluke.

He has tremendous strength and a massive frame, but hell need to combine that with sound technique if he wants to earn a spot after going undrafted.

The Eagles have plenty of fringe offensive linemen who are trying to carve out a role.Names like Tyler Steen, Michael Jordan, Micah Morris, Willie Lampkin, Drew Kendall, and Jake Majors will all enter camp motivated to win jobs.

Roberts will need to somehow separate himself from that bunch.

two years in a row thanks to some impressive weight room accomplishments.

The 6-foot-5, 333-pound lineman can squat over 800 pounds and power clean 415 pounds.

Not too shabby.

: Just being consistent, Roberts said when he was asked how he could get on the field more amid a position battle at Alabama last season, via.I know Ive been missing practice time, I have been talking to the coaches and just working on the details that I need to improve on, and consistency is one thing that I think Ive really improved on.