Eagles newcomers ‘26: Can edge rusher Keyshawn James-Newby become the NFL’s next seventh-round success story?
The well-traveled James-Newby has a chance to make an impression off the edge.
With Eagles training camp drawing closer, The Inquirer took a 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: Keyshawn James-Newby
Position: Edge rusher
Age: 24 (on Aug. 8)
Previous experience: James-Newby was in the high school class of 2020 and was able to stay in college last year thanks to both an NAIA eligibility waiver and the extra COVID-19 eligibility year provided to athletes. He took advantage of it, following coach Jason Eck from Idaho to New Mexico, where he led the Mountain West Conference in sacks (9) during his lone season of FBS football. Before New Mexico, James-Newby tallied 15½ sacks in two seasons at Idaho. He played his first two college seasons at Montana Tech.
The 2026 seventh-round pick is undersized for an edge rusher at 6-foot-1 and 240 pounds, but he makes up for it with speed and bend.
“Power and length get the best of him, but not as often as I expected,” NFL analyst Lance Zierlein wrote in his pre-draft evaluation of James-Newby. “He flashes good get-off, smart angles and efficient cornering that keeps him tight to the pocket as a rusher. James-Newby’s rush lacks diversity, but a dangerous stab move is waiting to be unlocked. His high motor and disruptive ability should make him a solid sub-package edge rusher.”
Path to a roster spot: Getting drafted won’t secure James-Newby a spot on the 53-man roster. The Eagles have cut a late-round pick in each of the last two seasons, and James-Newby’s path to making the roster is a difficult one considering the state of the depth chart ahead of him.
The Eagles have Jonathan Greenard, Jalyx Hunt, Nolan Smith, and probably Arnold Ebiketie marked as locks for the roster. James-Newby’s chances will depend on how he performs in camp and preseason games and whether the Eagles think they have room for five or six edge rushers. They kept five on the initial 53-man roster last year, but had six in each of the previous two seasons.
The signing of A.J. Epenesa at the end of the offseason program added to the competition at the bottom of the depth chart. Epenesa managed just 2½ sacks last season with the Bills but had six in each of the previous three seasons. The Eagles also have Jose Ramirez and Joshua Weru in camp.
Fun fact: The Eagles have drafted six players out of New Mexico in their history, but James-Newby is the first since quarterback Ben Monroe in 1967. Former Eagles receiver Hank Baskett went to New Mexico, but he was undrafted.
Quotable: What was life like growing up in Idaho and Montana?
“You know, you ride horses to school,” James-Newby quipped when asked during Eagles rookie camp in April. “I’m just kidding. ... Same thing you do in a city, but just not as occupied. A little bit peaceful. You can go hike up a mountain whenever you want to. It was just nice.”
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
- S J.T. Gray, TE Dae'Quan Wright
- WR Hollywood Brown, DT Zion Wilson
- CB Riq Woolen, WR Erik Ezukanma
- DT Uar Bernard, FB Carson Steele
- WR Dontayvion Wicks, OLB Jose Ramirez
