The Philadelphia Eagles just got themselves a mid-round prospect without having to use a mid-round pick by agreeing on a deal with former Stony Brook offensive tackle Michael Bamiro, sources told FOX Sports.
The 6-foot-8, 335-pound Bamiro was rated a fourth- to sixth-round pick in next year's draft, only to learn he had exhausted his NCAA eligibility because he began attending college at Pitt in 2008, albeit only as a student and not a football player. Stony Brook appealed on Bamiro's behalf to add another year of eligibility for 2013, but it was denied shortly after he was named a first-team FCS All-America by the Sports Network.
Bamiro was then declared ineligible for last week's supplemental draft, thus making him an immediate free agent. It worked to his advantage because he was able to have more control over his destination, but it worked against him because he didn't practice in the spring and was unable to receive a big signing bonus. A source told FOX Sports that Philly compensated for the meager signing bonus by guaranteeing a portion of Bamiro's base salaries in his first two seasons.
He worked out for NFL teams last week under the supervision of former Eagles offensive tackle Tra Thomas, who has been training Bamiro and undoubtedly vouched for his pupil in speaking with his former team. Scouts from 22 teams attended last week's workout, and several made a strong attempt to sign Bamiro. A source said the Miami Dolphins were in the running until late in the process.
Bamiro joins No. 4 overall pick Lane Johnson as potential tackles of the future for new Eagles coach Chip Kelly. Johnson will surely be a tackle of the present, as he's expected to start this season as a rookie. He began the spring as a backup but soon overtook Dennis Kelly as the right tackle for most of the reps with the first-team offense â even if Kelly warned the media not to read into personnel groupings.
Bamiro's arrival is more of a concern for left tackle Jason Peters, who missed all of the 2012 season with Achilles injuries. Peters is signed through the 2014 season but just turned 31 and must prove he's healthy.
Bamiro was used exclusively as a right tackle for Stony Brook, so that's surely the position the Eagles expect him to play, especially with Johnson destined to be their left tackle at some point.
Johnson remains unsigned, and there has been little progress on negotiations over offset money on the guarantees in his contract, per a source. Eagles rookies are slated to report to camp Monday.
