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Eagles Trying to Replicate Huge Success With New Rookie Tryout

Howie Roseman and the Eagles are looking to strike gold yet again
ByMichael Bohlin|
Dec 10, 2023; Arlington, Texas, USA; Philadelphia Eagles offensive tackle Jordan Mailata (68) and offensive tackle Lane Johnson (65) and center Jason Kelce (62) walk off the field after the game against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-Imagn Images
Dec 10, 2023; Arlington, Texas, USA; Philadelphia Eagles offensive tackle Jordan Mailata (68) and offensive tackle Lane Johnson (65) and center Jason Kelce (62) walk off the field after the game against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-Imagn Images | Tim Heitman-Imagn Images

NFL teams are constantly looking to find diamonds in the rough they feel they can turn into an impact player with the right type of coaching. The difference between the Philadelphia Eagles and their counterparts across the league is that they have actually enjoyed legitimate success in this type of endeavor -- and they appear to be back at it again

While the team's recent selections in the 2025 NFL Draft will be the headliners of their rookie minicamp, there is going to be one player on the field that fans may want to keep a close eye on if recent history is any indicator for Philadelphia.

Meet 21-year-old Australian rugby player Carsen Patu. The 6-foot-1, 241-pound prospect has reportedly been training at edge and linebacker, per Laurie Horesh of ESPN.com, and will be trying out for the team at rookie minicamp.

The Eagles have enjoyed success helping rugby players transition to the NFL, as Jordan Mailata went from a seventh-round pick in the 2018 NFL Draft to an All-Pro selection in 2024. Those sort of stories are far from the norm when franchises elect to make high-risk, high-reward additions such as Mailata and, potentially, Patu.

While Patu's American Football skills may be raw and untapped, the video above proves there is no doubt that he is the type of player who would never shy away from contact.

Those are exactly the types of traits you want to see in a player looking to disrupt plays in the backfield from the edge or outside linebacker position. In addition, Patu looks like he would feel right at home in special teams coverages as well.

There are no guarantees that Patu will latch on with Philadelphia. However, the Eagles will surely be giving him a hard look at their rookie minicamp.

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