The Philadelphia Eagles have once again made a splash in the waiver wire, this time by claiming offensive lineman Willie Lampkin from the Los Angeles Rams. This move, which happened on Wednesday, has certainly raised some eyebrows, not least because Lampkin was waived with an injury designation – a rare scenario for a player to be claimed [1].
Lampkin, an undrafted rookie, is a bit of an anomaly in the NFL. Standing at 5’11” and weighing in at 290 pounds, he’s considered undersized for an offensive lineman. You might even say he looks like a character you’d whip up in a video game just for kicks, right? But don’t let the measurements fool ya. Coming out of North Carolina, where he earned First Team All-ACC and First Team All-American honors, his on-field performance garnered some seriously glowing reviews [2].
One scout even noted his exceptional ability in run blocking, highlighting his quickness, athleticism, and knack for sustaining blocks. While his pass protection is solid, his size could be a challenge against bigger defenders. Still, the consensus is that he’s too good a football player to simply ignore. He mostly played right guard in college, but the Rams had him working at center, and he apparently shone in their preseason games [1].
This acquisition also means a change for another Eagles player. To make room for Lampkin on the 53-man roster, the Eagles waived offensive guard Trevor Keegan. Keegan, a fifth-round pick from 2024, had been struggling a bit in training camp, particularly with some errant snaps [3].
It’ll be fascinating to see how the Eagles, and especially offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland, utilize Lampkin’s unique skill set. Could this undersized lineman turn out to be a hidden gem for the Birds? Only time will tell, but it’s definitely a storyline worth watching as the season approaches.
External Links:
[1] https://www.phillyvoice.com/eagles-claim-offensive-lineman-willie-lampkin-waivers/
[2] https://theeagleswire.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/eagles/2025/08/27/eagles-claim-willie-lampkin-iv-off-waivers-from-the-rams/85850732007/
[3] https://www.nj.com/eagles/2025/08/eagles-claimed-undersized-ol-who-slipped-through-cracks-could-he-be-a-steal.html