Eagles newcomers ‘26: J.T. Gray brings All-Pro pedigree to the special teams unit
Also, undrafted rookie Dae'Quan Wright attempts to navigate a crowded field of tight ends.
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.
Player: J.T. Gray
Position: Safety
Age: 30
Previous experience: Gray is a veteran safety with eight years of NFL experience. His primary position is safety but he cut his teeth as a special teamer, even earning a first-team All-Pro nod there while with the Saints in 2021. He spent his first seven years in the league with the Saints, before bouncing around to the Ravens, Broncos and Buccaneers. The Eagles signed him to a one-year contract in March.
Path to a roster spot: Gray’s chances of making the final 53 are decent. He’s just two years removed from being a second-team All-Pro special teamer, so he’d bring much-needed experience to that unit. He also has some safety experience, which projects as the Eagles’ weakest position group at present.
Whether a 2026 draft choice, a veteran addition, or a rookie free-agent hopeful, we’re telling you more about each player’s potential role this season. We’re 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.
- QB Andy Dalton, DB Kapena Gushiken
- LB Arnold Ekibetie, OL Jaedan Roberts
- WR Elijah Moore, RB Dameon Pierce
- T Markel Bell, EDGE Joshua Weru
- G Michael Jordan, LS Rocco Underwood
- TE Eli Stowers, S Maximus Pulley
- LB Jonathan Greenard, T John Ojukwu
- TE Stone Smartt, LB Deontae Lawson
- TE Johnny Mundt, DE Ta'Quon Graham
- S Cole Wisniewski, RB Elijah Mitchell
- WR Makai Lemon, CB Shaun Wade
- CB Jonathan Jones, WR Samori Touré
- DE A.J. Epenesa, G Micah Morris
- QB Cole Payton, S Tucker Large
Fun fact: Gray’s nickname in New Orleans was “kingpin” because he’s an avid bowler. His best score was a 285.
Quotable: “I’m certainly a little biased, I coach him every day, but I don’t know if there’s a core special teams player in the league that I would trade J.T. Gray for,” said former Saints coach Darren Rizzi. “He’s an outstanding gunner. That’s where he probably gets most of his recognition, but at the same time, here’s a guy who’s really good in the return game as a blocker.”
Player: Dae’Quan Wright
Position: Tight end
Age: 22
Previous experience: The Eagles signed Wright as an undrafted free agent in May. He played four years of college football at Virginia Tech (2022-23) and Ole Miss (2024-25). The Athletic’s Dane Brugler described him as a “joker” tight end “whose snap count should increase with every game.”
Path to a roster spot: It won’t be an easy road for Wright to make the final roster. His college resumé wasn’t stellar and he’ll have to beat out a crowded tight end room that features Dallas Goedert, rookie Eli Stowers, Johnny Mundt, Grant Calcaterra, Stone Smartt and E.J. Jenkins, among others.
Fun fact: Wright’s first position at Perry High School in Georgia was quarterback. He once threw an 85-yard touchdown and claims he can “still do that.”
Quotable: “It’s a big opportunity that I’ve been dreaming of since I was a kid,” Wright said, when asked about his path to the NFL by CBS News. “So it’s definitely been on my mind a lot.”