The top of the Philadelphia Eagles' WR depth chart is set. A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith are clearly leading the wide receiver group for the defending Super Bowl champions.
But there is legitimate space in the back half for players to make an impression and make this roster.
One of the guys trying to do that is Elijah Cooks.
Cooks was on the practice squad during the Eagles' playoff run, and he signed a futures deal to stick around this offseason.
At 6-foot-4, Cooks once joined UNLV's basketball team in college as the Runnin' Rebels dealt with injuries. He didn't stick long term, but he was that good a hooper to get that chance.
He finished his college career at San Jose State. In his final season, he had 69 catches for 1,076 yards and 10 touchdowns.
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Cooks went undrafted in 2023 and signed with the Jaguars. He appeared in 11 regular season games across two seasons with the Jags before ending up with the Eagles by the end of last season.
He knows that his size and strength, with basketball instincts, give him a chance on the football field.
“I’ve always looked at that as a strength," Cooks told SI's John McMullen. "I used to play basketball. So going up and getting those 50-50 balls is kind of just my specialty, you feel me? That’s what I did in college, and what I’ve tried to do in the league.”
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Cooks shared with McMullen that he does admire Antonio Gates, who was a Kent State basketball star in college and is going into the Hall of Fame.
“I’ve watched Antonio Gates talk about it,” Cooks said. “He just said playing basketball your whole life, you go against bigger dudes. I’m used to playing against bigger guys, trying to create space against bigger guys.
Cooks may not be a favorite for a big role in Philly, but he's got the right mindset and an intriguing skillset, so you never know.
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