The Philadelphia Eagles have added tight end E.J. Jenkins to their practice squad, according to a report by NFL Network insider Mike Garafolo on November 1.
Jenkins initially joined the New York Jets as an undrafted free agent following the 2023 NFL draft. During the preseason, he made an impact by catching three passes on four targets for 23 yards and a touchdown, while also showcasing his ability with an average of 5.3 yards after the catch.
Despite a promising preseason, Jenkins was among the players released from the Jets’ roster in August. He now gets an opportunity to continue his development with the Eagles’ practice squad.
Philadelphia’s current roster includes four tight ends: Dallas Goedert, Jack Stoll, Grant Calcaterra, and Albert Okwuegbunam. E.J. Jenkins initially began his college career as a wide receiver at FCS school St. Francis, redshirting in 2017. After limited playing time in 2018, he had a breakout season in 2019 with 39 receptions for 779 yards and 13 touchdowns. Following the cancellation of the 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Jenkins transferred to South Carolina, where he had a limited role, recording eight catches for 117 yards and a touchdown.
In 2022, Jenkins transferred again, this time to Georgia Tech, where he transitioned to a tight end position. He started in 11 out of 12 games and recorded 17 receptions for 316 yards and three touchdowns.
Lance Zierlein, an NFL.com draft expert, acknowledged Jenkins’s potential, particularly his size, length, and blocking abilities. While his college career was as a wide receiver, the move to tight end seemed natural for Jenkins, given his impressive athleticism. Standing at 6’6″ and 245 pounds (although listed as 6’7″ by his college teams), he displayed his athleticism at his Georgia Tech Pro Day with a 4.6-second 40-yard dash, a 32-inch vertical jump, and a 10-foot, 2-inch broad jump.
Jenkins is open to playing in various roles for the Eagles, emphasizing his willingness to contribute in any position that the team deems fit, whether as a tight end or a receiver. He has looked up to notable figures in the game, such as Calvin Johnson, Darren Waller, Travis Kelce, and Tony Gonzalez, and is eager to continue his development in his new role.
“I will play wherever teams are willing to pick me at, I am willing to do it,” Jenkins stated. “I have been hearing a little bit of tight end and a little bit of receiver, so whatever team I go to and whatever position they put me at, I am going to play to the best of my ability.”