PHILADELPHIA − The race is coming eventually. Devon Allen knows this.
The Eagles wide receiver is only a few weeks removed from the track and field world championships, where he was disqualified from the final of the 110 meter hurdles for a false start by leaping out of the blocks too quickly.
Allen is among the fastest runners in the world. So it only stands to reason that ever since he showed up to training camp, he has received challenges from the Eagles’ other wide receivers who believe they are faster.
“We’ll probably get (a race in) here sometime during camp,” Allen said. “I just don’t want to do it too early, mess around and get hurt, and then I won’t be able to practice. That’d be bad. I gotta make sure I take care of myself, number one, and focus on what I’m doing on the field.
“And then we can have fun.”
For now, Allen is trying to find a spot on the roster. He is considered a longshot for the 53-man roster, mainly because he hasn’t played organized football since 2016, his last season at Oregon. Since then, Allen has run the 110 hurdles at two Olympics, finishing fifth in 2016 and fourth in 2021.
Allen, however, does have speed, which makes him intriguing both as a wide receiver and as a kick returner. That’s why Allen said it doesn’t surprise him that practically every wide receiver on the team wants to race him.
He said DeVonta Smith, Quez Watkins and Jalen Reagor are the main guys who say they’re faster.
“I think those guys, and me especially, wouldn’t be in a position that we are in if we didn’t think we’re the best at whatever we do,” he said.
But Allen also revealed a surprise challenger, although he didn’t take that one too seriously.
“AJ Brown put his name in the hat (for a race),” Allen said. “He’s a big guy, and I know he’s fast, too, but I don’t know if he can keep up with me.”
As for Allen, his speed has never been in question. It’s his football ability.
In 2016, Allen had plans to finish out the season, go to the NFL Combine the following spring, and then hope to get drafted.
But Allen tore his ACL in Week 3 that season and decided to devote his attention full time to his Olympic career. In his brief 2016 season, Allen showed how much of a speed threat he could be, with 4 receptions for 141 yards, or 35.3 yards per reception.
In his only full season at Oregon, in 2014, Allen had 41 receptions for 684 yards, averaging 16.7 yards per reception. Allen tore his ACL in the Rose Bowl that season and missed half of the following season.
Allen planned to give the NFL another shot after the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo. But the COVID-19 pandemic pushed the games back a year, and thus Allen’s football hopes.
Allen, 27, knows he has a lot of catching up to do. But the Eagles are intrigued enough with his speed to give him a chance. Allen ran a 4.35 in the 40 at Oregon’s Pro Day in March. That would have ranked sixth among wide receivers at the NFL Combine.
“I gotta learn how to play the receiver position again,” Allen said. “It’s been a few years and I have to learn how to do other positions on special teams, other than just return it.”
Here are some other unheralded players who have stood out through three days of training camp practices:
Andre Chachere, safety
Chachere made the team last season because of his special teams prowess. But he could end up having a spot as a reserve safety as well. Chachere had interceptions in each of the last two practice days. On Saturday, he picked off Jalen Hurts
Britain Covey, wide receiver
Like Allen, Covey is considered a longshot to win a spot on the 53-man roster, but he has impressed both in the spring and early in camp with his speed in space. Covey hasn’t gotten any chances with the first or second units, but when he gets in there, he’s fun to watch.
T.J. Edwards, linebacker
For some, it seems like a matter of time before Nakobe Dean replaces Edwards as a starting linebacker. And that might still be the case. But it has become clear that Dean will have to earn it because Edwards has been a stalwart on defense. He’s in the right places, and knows everything about the Eagles’ defense.
Kenny Gainwell, running back
Eagles coach Nick Sirianni said there was nothing to Miles Sanders getting all of his reps Friday with the second unit. It was just how the running back rotation played out. Then he reaffirmed Sanders’ standing as RB1 by saying, “Miles is our guy.” But Gainwell will have a significant role because he gives the Eagles a pass-catching dynamic that Sanders doesn’t, at least since his rookie year in 2019.
Contact Martin Frank at mfrank@delawareonline.com. Follow on Twitter @Mfranknfl.
