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Eagles newcomers 26: Will Hollywood Brown give the Birds a much-needed, reliable vertical threat? Plus, former East Carolina Pirate Zion Wilson brings an air of mystery to the defensive tackle competition.
Plus, former East Carolina Pirate Zion Wilson brings an air of mystery to the defensive tackle competition.
With Eagles training camp drawing nearer, 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.
: Brown is a seven-year NFL veteran who was the first receiver taken in the 2019 draft.
He spent the first three years of his career with the Ravens, including his standout 2021 season in which he racked up a career-high 1,008 yards and six touchdowns on 91 receptions.
, leading to his trade request following his third season in Baltimore.The Ravens shipped him to the Arizona Cardinals on the first day of the 2022 draft.
The Cardinals picked up his fifth-year option.
He played the final two years of his rookie deal in Arizona, ranking second on the team in receiving yards in both seasons.
Brown signed consecutive one-year deals over the last two seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs.He missed the majority of the 2024 season with a shoulder injury.
In 2025, he started six games , finishing the year with 587 yards and five touchdowns on 49 receptions.
Early in his career, Brown established himself as a speedy deep threat.
He didnt run the 40-yard dash at the combine or Oklahomas pro day due to a foot injury, but.Hell also vie for targets against Dontayvion Wicks, the 25-year-old receiver whom the Eagles acquired from the Green Bay Packers this offseason.
Hollywood Brown is a former first-rounder and 1,000-yard receiver.
The Eagles are giving him another chance at NFL relevance.
But Brown could carve out a singular role for himself in the offense as a deep threat, reminiscent of the job that Quez Watkins sought to fulfill early ins tenure.Brown has the potential to open up opportunities for players underneath, so long as defenses respect him downfield.
: Before he went to Oklahoma, Brown started his collegiate career at College of the Canyons, a community college in Santa Clarita, Calif.He wasnt on a scholarship, so Brown made money by working as a ride operator at a nearby Six Flags,: I think when you talk about Hollywood, there have been times our offense weve had, really, that vertical skill set, but also a guy who can separate at the top of his routes.
We had that a little.
I always look at our teams in 17, I thought Nelson did a great job of that, bringing that to the team.I think you look 22 and Quez did a good job of that.
I think the 24 team was constructed a little bit differently, but I think that really fits the skill set of our quarterback.
: Wilson spent the last five years at East Carolina.
He joined the team as a walk-on in 2021 as an offensive lineman.He did not see game action until 2023, when he mostly began to serve in a special-teams capacity.
That role continued in 2024 he played in all 13 games on special teams.
Wilson, 6-foot-3, 316 pounds, also switched to the defensive line in 2024.The following season, he had a breakout performance, finishing with 42 tackles and seven sacks for Washington, the Oakland Raiders, and San Diego Chargers.
The elder Wilson, a defensive end, played a total of seven years for the Green Bay Packers, the Raiders, the Detroit Lions, and the Chicago Bears.: Dude knows a lot about football.
A lot.
And just seeing his mind just over O-line straight to D-line.
Just taking off from there.I kind of look up to him.
Dudes been wanting to do this his entire career here.
Now, hes got to finish it out here at ECU his senior year doing it.
That dude is balling out.I could not be more happy and proud of him.
East Carolina defensive lineman Preston Carr on Wilson in November, via 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.