This was nothing new for Ogbo Okoronkwo, in the NFL since 2019 with the Rams, Texans and Browns. Having a chance to show what he can do, playing with a roster spot on the line, that's just life in the NFL.
Okoronkwo, one of five edge players with the Eagles, handled it perfectly as an under-the-radar candidate for the 53-man roster and he's here at the NovaCare Complex now preparing for the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday night.
"Just come to work every day and do the best you can," Okoronkwo said. "Let the result be the result. I didn't look far ahead and I didn't look back. I just came to work every day and tried to get better. This defense allows me to drop (into pass coverage), it allows me to rush (the quarterback), it allows me to play the run physically, so that's what I do."
Okoronkwo brings plenty of game experience to the defense, with 80 games played and 13 starts in his career. He's recorded 17 quarterback sacks, including three last season with the Browns. OO also had six quarterback hits and 22 quarterback pressures last season in 16 games, with five starting assignments. He joins Nolan Smith, Jr., Jalyx Hunt, Azeez Ojulari and Joshua Uche in the edge position room after signing with the Eagles in late July, just before Training Camp.
"I stayed and took extra reps and put the work in to learn the defense. Playing this position is not an individual thing. You have to work with everyone and develop that timing and chemistry," he said. "It's gone well and I'm here to contribute any way I can – special teams, anything. I've done all of that before." - Dave Spadaro
Things didn't work out for Byron Young in Las Vegas after the Raiders made him the 70th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. When Las Vegas waived Young in 2024 following a rookie season in which he played in six games and made four tackles, the Eagles claimed him off of waivers and worked hard to build him up – literally.
Young was inactive for the first six games of the season before going on Injured Reserve (hamstring) and then took the next step this spring and summer, impressing enough to make the 53-man roster as one of six defensive tackles. He improved physically and understood that the Eagles were investing their time and energy into him,
"I feel like it does make a big difference, having coaches that believe in you and showing they believe in you – and I'm not saying that the people in Vegas didn't believe in me, because there are great people over there, it just didn't work out," Young said. "I've felt it here and I've been able to grow and improve day after day and really gain confidence. Our technique here is a little bit different, too. I'm not two-gapping – defensive tackles here can be more aggressive and make plays instead of eating up blockers and that plays to my strengths as well.
"It's just all come together for me and I have so many people to thank. Coach (Clint) Hurtt (senior defensive assistant/defensive line) has worked with me and helped me grow in so many ways. Pat McDowell (player development assistant/scout) has worked with me along with our performance staff making me stronger in my core. All sorts of things. My job is to keep working and making myself better and contributing to this team and this great defensive tackle room." – Dave Spadaro
