The Philadelphia Eagles have claimed rookie center Willie Lampkin off waivers from the Los Angeles Rams, expanding their interior-line options as they move through the preseason grind.
Lampkin, who started five years in college for two programs (Coastal Carolina and North Carolina), went undrafted this spring. He entered the NFL with questions about his size—listed at 5-11 and around 290 pounds—which contributed to him sliding out of the draft. The Eagles, known for valuing athletic traits along the interior, appear intrigued by Lampkin’s potential at center, a spot where versatility can be a real asset. If he sticks, Lampkin could join Cam Jurgens and Drew Kendall on the active roster, giving Philadelphia three centers available on game day. Though Lampkin has experience at left and right guard in college, his size has led many to believe he’s better suited for center at the NFL level.
In related moves, the Eagles re-signed long snapper Charley Hughlett to their 53-man roster. ESPN reports that the team waived second-year guard Trevor Keegan in a corresponding move. Keegan, a 2024 fifth-round pick, appeared in one game as a rookie and struggled in camp this year, with errant snaps and discomfort at both center and guard after cross-training at multiple positions.
Roster implications: Philadelphia will need to make another cut to clear space for Lampkin. If he makes the roster, the Eagles could carry three centers (Jurgens, Kendall, Lampkin) and use that depth to cover any injuries or mismatches on game day.
What this means going forward: Lampkin’s addition underscores the Eagles’ ongoing effort to bolster interior-line depth and competition. It also signals that Kendall’s role may evolve to share duties at center, while Lampkin competes for a more permanent role at the position. Eagles offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland has a history of evaluating and developing capable interior linemen, and Lampkin’s raw traits could be polished with time in the system.
Summary: The Eagles’ waiver claim of Willie Lampkin, paired with Hughlett’s return and Keegan’s departure, strengthens interior-line depth and offers strategic flexibility for rotations and potential three-center active rosters in a season where injuries and versatility matter.
Extra context and takeaways:
– This move hints at a broader plan to preserve depth on the interior, a unit that often drives a team’s line chemistry and run/pass protection schemes.
– Lampkin’s development will hinge on coaching and opportunities in practice to showcase his center-specific strengths.
– If healthy and productive, Lampkin could become a reliable swing option for the line, with Kendall providing additional interior versatility and Jurgens as the anchor.