The Philadelphia Eagles added an SEC playmaker after this year's draft. The player was widely expected to hear his name called, so now, he will have extra motivation to make an impact for Philly going forward.
The undrafted free agent period following the draft is important around the NFL. Rosters can add depth, and it gives young players a chance to live out their dream. For the Philadelphia Eagles, a former SEC standout has joined their team after not getting selected in the 2026 NFL Draft.
He's got a shot to make an impact as a rookie, too.
The Eagles have signed Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Deontae Lawson , who surprisingly was not picked during the 2026 NFL Draft. Alabama had an SEC-leading ten prospects picked in this year's draft,
Lawson was actually a projected fourth-round pick as well. Check out his draft profile below.
Deontae Lawson isn't going to blow you away with any one area of his game. He's not overly athletic or super great at forcing fumbles. There's not a lot of sizzle to him, but there is a lot of steak. A former captain at Alabama and a player who stayed despite Nick Saban's retirement, Lawson is an extremely high character and a darn good football player.
He's slight for the position, even in the modern NFL, but he shows nice zone instincts and the ability to turn and run. He won't stack and shed run blockers head-on, but he has the speed and quickness to evade them, scrape laterally, and get to the ball carrier. He's a solid tackler and a fundamentalist who can carve out a role in the NFL as a dimebacker.
Rob Gregson
A to Z Sports
Lawson was a second-team All-SEC selection in 2025. He was a leader of the Tide's defense during the latter stages of his college career, only furthering the confusion why he went undrafted in this year's class.
Philadelphia now has seven inside linebackers on their current roster.
Jeremiah Trotter Jr.
Small Mondon Jr.
Deontae Lawson
That number will have to decrease notably ahead of Week 1, but Lawson could certainly carve out a depth role if he proves himself during training camp and the preseason. He will get opportunities to do so, and the Eagles are no stranger to giving UDFA talent roster spots.
The Eagles saw Reed Blankenship
, a former UDFA addition, play a massive role in recent seasons before departing in free agency this offseason.
Now, we wait to see if Lawson makes Howie Roseman look smart for picking him up shortly after the draft concluded.
