Eagles claim undersized center Willie Lampkin after Rams waive him

Willie Lampkin, an undrafted rookie center, gained attention during the 2025 NFL preseason while playing for the Los Angeles Rams. Despite his impressive performances, where he consistently knocked opposing defensive linemen onto their backs, he suffered an injury before securing a roster spot. The Rams waived him with an injury designation, hoping he would clear waivers and return to their team. However, the Philadelphia Eagles recognized his talent and made the rare decision to claim the injured undrafted rookie off waivers. This move meant Lampkin spent the 2025 season rehabilitating his injury and developing within the Eagles' organization.

Now, during the 2026 preseason, Lampkin is again impressing with the Eagles. In their preseason opener against the Baltimore Ravens, he showcased his tenacity and skill. On a third-and-15 play, he kept Ravens defensive tackle Broderick Washington away from Eagles quarterback Andy Dalton, continuing to block him even after the pass was thrown, driving him downfield and ultimately throwing him to the ground. This play drew particular attention and highlighted his relentless playing style.

Lampkin's background includes five years as a starting guard in college football at North Carolina, where he earned first-team All-American honors and won the Jacobs Blocking Trophy as the best offensive lineman in the ACC. Despite this impressive resume, his size—measuring just under 5-foot-11 and weighing 279 pounds at North Carolina's Pro Day—led to him going undrafted, as NFL teams typically prefer larger offensive linemen. However, his performance has shown that his size has not hindered his ability to compete against much bigger defensive linemen.

Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni has praised Lampkin's progress, noting that he continues to improve and stands out on practice tape. Sirianni highlighted Lampkin's versatility to play both center and guard, his intelligence, athleticism, and the trust he is building with teammates through consistent performance. The coach expressed that both he and the coaching staff are impressed by Lampkin's work ethic and growth.