Which players with local ties were signed to NFL rosters? We rounded up the draft picks and free agents.
A large group of Philly-area natives will try to make an impression when NFL rookie minicamps start later this week.
The fanfare leading surrounding the NFL draft revolves around the 257 players selected, with most of the attention on the first three rounds. But the journey doesn’t stop once players hear their names called, nor for those who find an NFL home after the draft.
There are many ways to make the initial 53-man roster at the end of the NFL preseason. While Philly-area prospects Josiah Trotter (St. Joseph’s Prep) and Drew Shelton (Downingtown West) were drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Dallas Cowboys, respectively, several others from the area inked undrafted free agent deals or earned minicamp invites.
» READ MORE: Eagles roundtable: What are the team’s biggest questions coming out of the draft?
Who are those players and could they make their team’s final roster? Here’s our list — and our guess on if they could stick around for the long haul with their college careers in the rearview mirror.
Draft selections
Josiah Trotter, LB, Missouri (St. Joe’s Prep) — Buccaneers/second round
Projected role: Tampa signed linebackers Christian Rozeboom and Alex Anzalone to short-term deals, but it wouldn’t spend a high draft pick on Trotter if it didn’t envision him starting earlier in his career. Josiah, the younger brother of current Eagle Jeremiah Trotter Jr. and son of former Eagle Jeremiah Trotter, likely will be one of the key run-stoppers in the second level of the Bucs’ defense in 2026.
» READ MORE: Jeremiah Trotter Jr. carries on legacies of father and late mother into the NFL | From 2024
Drew Shelton, OT, Penn State (Downingtown West) — Cowboys/fourth round
Projected role: Offensive linemen selected on Day 3 of the draft rarely make an instant impact. Shelton, a Downingtown native and two-year starter at Penn State, projects as a swing tackle option behind Terence Steele and Tyler Guyton in Dallas. He needs to continue developing his skill set, and if injuries pop up during the season, he could be thrown into the fire early in his career.
Undrafted free agents
Eric Gentry, LB, Southern Cal (Neumann Goretti) — Cincinnati Bengals
Projected role: The Bengals drafted two linebackers last year and have veterans Oren Burks and Shaka Heyward on the roster, so the path for Gentry, who has unusual size (6-foot-6, 221 pounds), will be on special teams, where he can use his length to block field goals and punts. Depending on Cincinnati’s vision of him as a player, he could cross train as an edge rusher and linebacker.
Tyreek Chappell, DB, Texas A&M (Northeast) — Minnesota Vikings
Projected role: The Vikings drafted a cornerback in the fifth round and signed James Pierre this offseason, but Chappell’s path to a roster spot lies in his versatility and special teams snaps. He started his college career at outside corner and moved inside to nickel. Proving his value in multiple roles in Brian Flores’ complicated defense will be key.
David Blay, DL, Miami (Harry S. Truman) — New England Patriots
Projected role: For Blay to win a roster spot, he will have to prove his value as a run-stopper behind the likes of Milton Williams, Christian Barmore, and Cory Durden. At the Shrine Bowl in January, Blay showed he could stand his ground as a run defender against double-team blocks, and if that skill translates to the NFL, he has a chance to stick around as a rotational player.
» READ MORE: After a journey from Division II to the CFP title game, Levittown’s David Blay sets his sights on the NFL
Ayden Garnes, DB, Arizona (Bonner-Prendergast) — Buccaneers
Projected role: Tampa has invested in getting its secondary younger over the last few years, so Garnes will have stiff competition to carve out a full-time role. He played both nickel and outside corner in college, which spanned Duquesne, West Virginia, and Arizona. His versatility and ability to make an impact on special teams will be key.
Sahmir Hagans, WR, Duke (St. Joe’s Prep) — Indianapolis Colts
Projected role: Hagans, who earned second team All-ACC honors as a return specialist, will need to use his speed and elusiveness on kickoff and punt returns to earn a spot on the Colts’ roster. With a logjam at wide receiver, Hagans will have to prove he can create big returns.
Jimto Obidegwu, OT, North Texas (Archbishop Carroll) — Jacksonville Jaguars
Projected role: In a career that spanned Temple, Kent State, and North Texas, Obidegwu, who has played both left and right tackle in his career, will face an uphill climb to make the initial roster with Jacksonville being two-deep at nearly every offensive line spot. Sticking around would require Obidegwu to prove he can be a swing offensive lineman, filling in at either tackle or guard spot.
Ryan Schernecke, OT, Kutztown (Upper Moreland) — New York Giants
Projected role: Schernecke was quickly signed by New York when the draft ended, and the 6-8, 330-pound tackle was among the best players in Division II last season. Though the Giants drafted two linemen (Francis Mauigoa, J.C. Davis) and signed Daniel Faalele this offseason, Schernecke‘s run blocking ability and experience playing both tackle spots could be the key to him sticking around on the practice squad as he transitions to the speed of the NFL.
Cam’Ron Stewart, EDGE, Temple — Vikings
Projected role: While Minnesota has had recent success with undrafted free agents on its front seven, Stewart, who collected 10½ tackles for loss and five sacks last season, will have a difficult climb up a top-heavy outside linebacker corps. Finding an early role on defense may be tough for Stewart, but being productive on special teams would be his likely path to the initial roster.
Nick Dawkins, C, Penn State — Baltimore Ravens
Projected role: Nick, the son of former 76ers center Darryl “Chocolate Thunder” Dawkins and cousin of legendary Eagles safety Brian Dawkins, was a two-year starter for Penn State. To earn a roster spot in Baltimore, he’ll have to beat out Jovaughn Gwyn and Danny Pinter, who were signed this offseason to compete for the backup center role.
