Roseman Avoids Mailata Comparisons for International Prospects
Eagles general manager Howie Roseman discussed the decision to waive defensive tackle Uar Bernard and edge rusher Joshua Weru, both International Player Pathway prospects. Both cleared waivers and rejoined the practice squad. Roseman said there is no comfort in exposing players to waivers and that evaluating them is not an exact science.
Bernard, a 6-foot-5, 306-pound Nigerian, had never played organized football before this year and was selected at pick 251. Weru, a Kenyan rugby convert, signed after the draft and showed flashes as a pass rusher during the preseason. Both are considered long-term developmental projects.
The Eagles chose to keep four quarterbacks and extra depth at receiver, tight end, and corner rather than reserve two active-roster spots for the pair. Roseman noted the evaluation process involves studying limited tape and guessing how other teams view players, acknowledging it is not an exact science.
This story highlights the risk-reward nature of developing international prospects through the NFL's International Player Pathway program. Teams may become more cautious about exposing such players to waivers, potentially affecting how the program is utilized league-wide. The outcome could influence how other franchises approach similar developmental investments, though the Mailata example remains an outlier that may not be replicable.