Roster Moves: Eagles claim former 3rd-round DT off waivers, release Marlon Tuipulotu

The Philadelphia Eagles continue to fine-tune their roster by claiming 23-year-old defensive tackle Byron Young off waivers.

Eagles bolster their interior defensive line just days before season opener

We've claimed DT Byron Young and released DT Marlon Tuipulotu. pic.twitter.com/LcxlaUY00Y

— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) August 29, 2024

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This move comes a day after the Las Vegas Raiders released Young, who was their third-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.

Young, selected 70th overall by the Raiders, had a quiet rookie season, appearing in just six games and logging a mere 99 snaps on defense and 13 on special teams. Despite showing promise in his time at Alabama, where he recorded 20 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks, and three pass deflections over three seasons, Young struggled to find his footing in the NFL. His release came as a surprise, particularly after he survived the Raiders’ initial round of cuts.

The Raiders’ decision to part ways with Young can be partly attributed to significant organizational changes. Since drafting Young, the Raiders have overhauled their leadership, with Dave Ziegler and Josh McDaniels both being dismissed in November. Tom Telesco has since taken over as general manager, and Antonio Pierce, who was promoted to interim head coach on November 1, did not play Young in any games following the coaching transition. These changes likely influenced the Raiders’ choice to release a player who had yet to meet expectations.

In a corresponding move to make room for Young, the Eagles released veteran defensive tackle Marlon Tuipulotu. A 2021 sixth-round pick, Tuipulotu played in 28 games over the past three seasons but had not cemented his place in the rotation. Young now joins an Eagles defensive line that includes high-profile players like Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis, and Milton Williams, making him the sixth interior defensive lineman on the roster.

Young is the eighth former third-round pick from another team that the Eagles have acquired since the end of last season. Of these eight, three players, including Young, are currently on the Eagles’ 53-man roster, showcasing the team’s strategy of finding value in players who may not have panned out elsewhere.

Byron Young also becomes the sixth former Alabama player on the Eagles’ roster, joining the likes of Landon Dickerson, DeVonta Smith, and Jalen Hurts, who spent time at Alabama before transferring to Oklahoma. This connection to the storied college program could provide a familiarity that helps Young transition more smoothly into his new team.

The Eagles, who held the 22nd position in waiver claim priority, were able to secure Young without competition, suggesting that no teams with a worse record in 2023 filed a claim for the young defensive tackle. Now, Young has a new opportunity to prove his worth in Philadelphia, where the Eagles are known for maximizing the potential of their players.

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