The Philadelphia Eagles hosted three free agents on visits at the Jefferson Health Training Complex earlier today, according to the NFL’s official personnel notice
DT David Blay
RB Ja’Quinden Jackson
EDGETarron Jackson
Let’s sort through this news on a player-by-player basis
DAVID BLAY
First of all, big fan of this guy’s street magic
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Blay, 23, has some local ties. He attended Harry S Truman High School in Levittown, Pennsylvania (shout out Bucks County) before initially enrolling at West Chester from 2021-2022. Blay then transferred to Louisiana for 2023-2024 and then again to The U in 2025
Blay did not get selected in the 2026 NFL Draft; he signed with the New England Patriots as an undrafted rookie free agent. But then the Pats waived him on August 7
Here’s a pre-draft scouting report on the 6’2″, 292 pounder:
Blay is a slightly undersized nose tackle who climbed from Division II to Conference USA and finally to Miami, where he played for a national title. He takes on single blocks with adequate power to press and separate, but he can be wiped out by double-teams or angle pressure. He’s quick to close the distance on quarterbacks when he gets some breathing room but lacks early explosion and hand work to quickly open doors. Blay’s path to a roster might come as an undrafted free agent
And here’s what Pats Pulpit recently had to say about Blay:
[…] given that he did not make any noticeable contributions in training camp so far, the writing very much remained on the wall
The Eagles could be looking at Blay for the sake of more defensive tackle depth ahead of their first preseason game, which takes place in less than a week (August 15)
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JA’QUINDEN JACKSON
Jackson, who turns 25 next month, finished his college football career at Arkansas before joining the Jacksonville Jaguars as an undrafted rookie free agent in 2025. The Jags kept him on their practice squad last season but then waived him back in May
With both Dameon Pierce and Elijah Mitchell leaving practice early on Saturday, the Eagles seemingly have interest in adding more running back depth, which makes sense. They could use the extra body for practice and preseason reps
A big back with an imposing frame, Jackson is a one-speed runner lacking burst and juice in the open field. He reacts to traffic once he gets into the run but isn’t proactive enough in his early reads to set up linebackers and unlock the lane. He’s too slow getting in and out of cuts, allowing defenses to rally and tackle quickly. He plays with adequate lane choice and can add yards after contact with his size and leg drive. Jackson’s size and strength will appeal to teams but a lack of functional speed and third-down value limit his ceiling.
His spider graph reveals he’s a big back with long arms:
TARRON JACKSON
Oh, hey! Here’s someone we know
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The Eagles originally selected Jackson with a sixth-round pick (No. 191 overall) in the 2021 NFL Draft. He appeared in 22 games with Philly from 2021-2023 until the Birds cut him in August 2024. Jackson then spent a brief stint with the Carolina Panthers before returning to the Eagles in November. But then they cut him again a month later, so, he wasn’t actually with the team when they won Super Bowl LIX. Tough
Jackson signed with the San Francisco 49ers in 2025 but suffered a neck injury that ended his season in late July
Now presumably healthy again, Jackson could have a third stint in Philly
