The Philadelphia Eagles made a slew of changes and additions in all three phases of the game as they try to repeat as Super Bowl champions.
While most fans were paying attention to what the Eagles were doing on defense to replace players like Darius Slay, Josh Sweat, Milton Williams, Brandon Graham, and Isaiah Rodgers, the team made two notable under-the-radar changes on special teams.
The Eagles did not re-sign long-time long snapper Rick Lovato, and instead signed Charley Hughlett to a one-year deal. The 35-year-old Hughlett has spent the first 10 years of his NFL career with the Cleveland Browns.
In addition to the Hughlett signing, the Eagles also brought in free-agent return specialist Avery Williams on a one-year deal. Williams will be replacing Britain Covey, who spent the last two years with the Eagles.
Ex-Eagle Britain Covey Has Uphill Climb to Make Rams' 53-Man Roster
Most Eagles fans were surprised to see the team not bring back the 28-year-old Covey, who saw some snaps at WR when Philly was banged up last season and has been their prominent punt returner.
However, the 28-year-old Covey was able to latch on with a new team, signing a one-year deal with the Los Angeles Rams in May.
For Covey, he gets a chance to compete for a spot on the 53-man roster with one of the better teams in the NFC. But the ex-Eagle will have an uphill climb to make the team, as the Rams’ top-four WR spots are already locked in.
Covey’s main competition for a spot on the team will be Xavier Smith. Smith, just like the former Eagle, was an undrafted free agent out of Florida A&M.
The 27-year-old Smith has spent the last two years working hard after the Rams took a chance on him following the 2023 NFL Draft. Smith wasn’t active for his rookie season as he was on the practice squad.
However, the Rams gave him the chance to be on the 53-man roster in 2024, and he made the most of the opportunity. Smith appeared in 15 games last season, averaging 9.3 yards per punt return (16 attempts) and 25.8 yards per kick return (six attempts), which isn’t bad for a young player.
Covey isn’t a slouch in the return game, as he has a career 11.3 punt return average and 21.5 kick return average. But between the two, Smith is the more explosive returner, as he ran a 4.38 and 4.39 40-yard dash at the 2023 HBCU Combine.
That being said, all is not lost for Covey, who the Rams had an eye on to compete for a spot on the 53-man roster. But with the ex-Eagle on a cheap one-year pact, Los Angeles can easily cut ties with him for another option if necessary.