The Eagles' special teams return many familiar faces, with the additions of some new potential punt and kick returners that bring a boast of speed and versatility. With draftees Cooper DeJean, Will Shipley, and Ainias Smith bringing college return experience to the roster, how will they be used in a year with brand new kickoff rules beginning?
Jake Elliott will enter Year 8 after agreeing to a four-year contract extension in March. An All-Pro in 2023, Elliott is coming off of a career year in which he set a franchise record of a 93.8 field goal percentage, including a 61-yarder against Minnesota in Week 2.
Punter Braden Mann set a career-high and franchise-record gross punting average of 49.8, along with a net average of 43.9 in his first year with the Eagles. Mann signed a two-year extension in March as well. Long snapper Rick Lovato was also extended on a one-year deal.
The Eagles now have a great deal of options at the return position after relying heavily on Britain Covey last season. Covey will have some competition this year, but put himself in a solid spot by holding his own as the main guy in 2023. Covey ranks third in the NFL in punt return average since 2022 with 11.7 yards per return. The speedy receiver returned 29 punts for 417 yards in 2023, averaging 14.4 yards per return.
The Eagles return guys from a top unit in 2023 such as cornerback Josh Jobe, safety Sydney Brown, and linebacker Ben VanSumeren while adding playmaking linebackers Zach Baun and Oren Burks in free agency.
New to the Nest: Cooper DeJean was named the Big Ten Return Specialist at Iowa as a cornerback. Will Shipley led Clemson's kick return team with 904 yards in three seasons. Ainias Smith racked up 836 punt return yards along with 360 yards on kickoffs during his time at Texas A&M.
Bird Talk: "(WR Britain) Covey is a great option to have as a punt returner. We brought in some guys that do have some punt return abilities. As we move forward, competition usually breeds greatness. Having other guys out there, and also we get to see these guys.
"Britain Covey, what he's done the last couple years as an undrafted free agent and a second-year guy to lead the league in yards and be up there in average, kudos to him. He just keeps getting better and better. His mindset as a returner is something that you rarely see outside of those explosive guys. Covey, I'm very happy to have Britain Covey on my punt returners."
"I think they all excel in different phases. Cooper (DeJean), he's just a heck of an athlete. You guys have seen his basketball highlight tape surface around. This guy is a really good football player. Hard to find good football players in general. He's a smooth runner. Able to track the ball as a punt returner. You saw he has the ability to take it all the way. Ainias (Smith), he's splashy, explosive. When he gets the ball in his hands, it's really dynamic in terms of that.
"Then with Will (Shipley), Will, you see from a running back perspective then to a kickoff returner's perspective, he's downhill. He's one cut. He's still got enough wiggle to make you miss. That was evident in the rookie mini-camp, just seeing those guys kind of move around for the first time live in person outside of the film. It's just something exciting to look forward to when they get back here and mingle in with the veterans."
Notable Stat: Britian Covey has produced the most punt returns (62) and punt yards (725) in the NFL since 2022. He also has the most returns of at least 15 yards (20), 20+ yards (10), 25+ yards (7) and 50+ yards (2) during that same stretch.
Under the Microscope: The new kickoff rules are going to be an adjustment for every team in the league, but who will stick out as the lead kickoff returner when the season opens? As far as the punt returns go, the question may be if it's Covey's job to lose, or if any of the new additions in DeJean or Smith will overtake him or split time. The Eagles special teams are in a lot better shape heading into this year's camp compared to last, so the competition will be plenty come Training Camp. – Written by Liam Wichser
