Once the draft ended, the Eagles quickly agreed to contract terms several intriguing names as undrafted rookie free agents, including Washington tailback Chris Polk, Oregon cornerback Cliff Harris and Syracuse free safety Phillip Thomas.
They also added Miami tight end Chase Ford, UMass fullback Emil Igwenagu, Tulsa receiver Damaris Johnson, Louisiana College receiver Darnell Williams and Montana State receiver Elvis Akpla.
The Eagles have not announced any of the signings, but all eight were confirmed with various NFL sources.
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Harris is a fascinating name. He was an All-American in 2010 but was booted off the Oregon team after a series of off-the-field issues last year. Most notable among them: He was pulled over after being caught by police driving 118 miles per hour with a suspended license.
"I feel like with my past, I have a lot to prove just in general," Harris told the Statesman Journal newspaper of Salem, Ore., at his pro day. "I'm trying to show everybody that history won't repeat itself.
But when he played, he was electrifying. In 2010, he tied for fifth in NCAA Division 1 with six interceptions and also returned four punt returns for touchdowns, including two in one game at New Mexico.
Polk ranked 11th in NCAA Division 1 this past year with 1,488 rushing yards. He ran for 12 touchdowns and averaged 5.1 yards per carry.
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In his Huskie career, the 5-11, 215-pound Polk ran for 4,049 yards, making him only the seventh player in Pac 12 history to run for 4,000 career yards. Thats also second-most in Washington history, just 57 yards behind Napoleon Kaufmans 4,106 yards. Polk also caught 79 passes for 683 yards as a collegiate.
I'm versatile, Polk said at the Combine. I can do it all. I can run, block, catch, all of that. It's just a matter of me executing my technique rather than relying on just the physical abilities and just staying mentally attuned to my technique and staying fundamentally sound.
The addition of Polk gives the Eagles three running backs behind Pro Bowl starterDion Lewis, a rookie last year; seventh-round pick Bryce Brown; and Polk.
The big question mark about Polk has been his health. He suffered a season-ending shoulder injury as a freshman and rumors about other injuries likely hurt him during draft weekend.
Polk said at the Combine there were so many concerns about his health that he met with doctors for six hours and also had three separate MRIs.
I kind of felt like a big slab of meat because I'm the only guy in there with the X-ray package like this thick, Polk said, spreading his hands a foot apart. The first time I put it in there hands, it's like, 'Oh my goodness.'
Thomas ranked third in NCAA Division 1 this past year with six interceptions, trailing only David Amerson of N.C. State and Bacarri Rambo of Georgia. He finished his college career with nine total INTs. Phillips, 5-11, 200 pounds, was a two-year starter for the Orange.
E-mail Reuben Frank at rfrank@comcastsportsnet.com