Undrafted free agent Dillon Gordon hopes versatility leads to spot with Eagles

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There’s versatile. And then there’s Dillon Gordon.

After spending four years as a punishing tight end at LSU, the undrafted rookie is trying to make the Eagles’ 53-man roster as an offensive guard, an offensive tackle, a fullback, however he can.  

“It’s not an easy transition,” Gordon said after Saturday’s practice, “but who else for the job?”

Who else, indeed.

Gordon, 22, played tight end in college but finished his four-year career with just seven receptions for 96 yards. Mainly, his job was to block. And he did that job very well.

But playing multiple positions, like the Eagles have asked of him this summer, isn’t new for Gordon.

Growing up, he played quarterback, wide receiver, defensive end, defensive tackle, linebacker, tight end and long snapper. He played many of those – TE, DE, DT, LS – well into his days at John Curtis High School in River Ridge, Louisiana. He probably would have run the concession stand if they let him.

“I’ve pretty much played it all,” Gordon said. “I didn’t leave the field.”

After Saturday’s light practice in the heavy heat of summer, Eagles offensive coordinator Frank Reich praised Gordon’s football mind, calling him “extremely sharp.” The versatility that has shaped his football career has consequently given him a better understanding of the game on the whole.

“Playing all those positions, you get to know what everybody is doing,” Gordon said. “Therefore, you have a better understanding of what’s going on. And when you have a better understanding of what’s going on, you can play the game fast.”

Gordon came to Philadelphia as an under-the-radar signing – a “who’s that?” pickup – but since the start of training camp, he’s made a good impression, especially in 1-on-1 drills. The athleticism and violent blocking style he showed at LSU have been on display at the NovaCare Complex in recent weeks. Same with the versatility, as he has been lining up as a fullback in the team’s goal-line package.

Gordon has turned some heads, and has the size at 6-foot-4 and 322 pounds, but is still a ways away from being able to compete as a lineman at the NFL level.

“Yeah, that’s a big switch,” Reich said. “Here’s a guy that played tight end, but he’s got all the tools. He’s explosive for that position; athletic for the position. There’s a big learning curve, though. There’s a big learning curve, so it’s a slow process, but he’s showing all the right signs. He’s showing all the right signs of a guy who can develop into a legitimate offensive lineman in this league and making that transition.”

Because of the numbers at offensive line, Gordon is probably a pretty long shot to make the roster.

Really, he didn’t expect to be in an NFL camp this year anyway.

Last season at LSU, Gordon played in just three games and got just one full game under his belt because of an Achilles injury. He first hurt his Achilles on Sept. 19 against Auburn. After sitting out for three games, he tried to come back against Florida on Oct. 17.

The return was an unsuccessful one. He lasted just four plays until he completely ruptured his left Achilles, prematurely ending his senior season.

At that point, and up until just before the NFL draft in April, Gordon thought he’d be granted an extra year of eligibility by the NCAA. But six days before the draft kicked off, the NCAA again denied his appeal for an extra season.

It wasn’t until then that Gordon – despite a bum Achilles that wouldn’t allow him to work out – declared for the draft.

“Up until the week before the draft, I was planning on going back to school,” Gordon said. “I wasn’t even thinking about being in this position. When they told me they denied it, I was just like, I’ll put it in God’s hands and God blessed me to be here.”

Thanks to the injury that ended his college career, Gordon wasn’t able to work out for any teams before the draft, but he said he talked extensively with the Eagles.

“They told me they’d love for me to become a part of their organization,” Gordon said. “I just took a chance and I’m happy with my decision.”

He came to Philadelphia for rookie minicamp, but was held back all the way through the spring. Now, he’s 100 percent healthy as he tries to make the team at whatever position gives him the best shot, at whatever position the coaching staff asks him to play.

Who else for the job?

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