The Eagles player with the highlight-reel catch of training camp thus far isn't Jordan Matthews. It's not Zach Ertz either. Of all the receivers that would spring to mind, it's actually undrafted rookie Cayleb Jones who is impressing onlookers — including the coaching staff — with his acrobatic grabs.
Jones made perhaps the most exciting play of the summer at Wednesday's practice, a leaping, diving one-handed reception in the back of the end zone for a 30-yard touchdown with cornerback Denzel Rice in tight coverage. He followed it up with another spectacular moment Friday and is quickly gaining a reputation for making the circus catches.
"I'm getting so much better at being able to adjust to the ball while it's in the air," Jones said. "Playing with these guys, you have to be ahead of it. (Quarterback Chase Daniel) put another good ball up, and I was able to come down with it."
Eagles head coach Doug Pederson is among the observers who have been put on notice by Jones' camp performance.
"For a young guy, he's doing really well," Doug Pederson said. "Big, tall target; he’s got some good speed, good length. He has the occasional drop from time to time, but those are all things that young players go through. Obviously the volume of information that we throw at him also can play a part in what he's doing.
"But yeah, he's really off to a good start. I look forward to watching him play in these games."
A 6-foot-3, 209-pound wideout from the University of Arizona, Jones had a productive college career, hauling in 129 passes for 1,926 yards and 14 touchdowns in two seasons before declaring for the draft as a junior. However, a slow time in the 40-yard dash (4.65 seconds) combined with character concerns likely prevented his name from being called.
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That's where the Eagles come in. It doesn't sound as though free agency was a difficult decision for Jones, who praised wide receivers coach Greg Lewis and noted that his uncle, quarterback Jeff Blake, played for the team.
"I met coach Greg at the combine and really liked him during my interview, and they were one of the teams that wanted give me an opportunity," Jones said. "I was like, 'Shoot, I've always been a Philly fan, my uncle played here,' so it's cool."
Lewis, of course, knows all about the path Jones is on, playing eight seasons -- five with the Eagles, three with the Vikings -- in the NFL despite going undrafted in 2003. His is the kind of valuable message that can really resonate with players going through the same thing.
"Oh man, just really introducing me to the NFL, the cut-throat nature of the whole thing," Jones said of Lewis. "Coach Lewis has been great, he's been in my shoes, so it's been awesome learning."
It happened for Lewis, and it could happen for Jones too. After all, the Eagles are not exactly stacked at the wide receiver position.
Three roster spots will presumably go to Matthews and fellow recent draft picks Nelson Agholor and Josh Huff. Two more are expected to be filled by veterans Rueben Randle and Chris Givens, for a total of five. Then again, any of Huff, Randle or Givens could be considered on the bubble depending on your perspective, while the top the Eagles are just an injury away from needing somebody to take one of those spots.
While a spot on the practice squad is more likely, Jones realizes the opportunity is there and is doing everything he can to try to follow in Lewis' footsteps.
"It's doable," Jones said. "If you're diligent, consistent, things will work out for you. (Coach Lewis) has done a lot and is instilling that in me and some of the other guys that are here. He's been great so far, and I've learned so much from him."
Jones put himself on the map by making some tough catches in the last week. If he keeps it up, the Eagles just may want to find a place for him somewhere.