Eagles cut former first-round pick Marcus Smith

The Marcus Smith era came to a predictable end. The Eagles released the defensive end Wednesday, just days before the 2014 first-round draft pick was to receive a $594,000 roster bonus.

The full squad reported to the NovaCare on Wednesday for training camp, and Smith was not among the veterans in attendance. Smith surprisingly skipped all of organized team activities during the spring. The workouts were optional, but his standing on the team suggested that it was within his best interest to attend. He did show for mandatory minicamp, but was at the bottom of the depth chart during team drills.

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Smith will join other Eagles first-round draft picks who failed to deliver upon those lofty expectations. He recorded just four sacks in three seasons and never played more than 26 snaps in a game. A high school quarterback who was converted to an edge rusher in college, Smith was shocked when the Eagles selected him with the 26th pick in the draft three years ago. He said he had expected to go on the second day.

His place on the roster was precarious before the start of the league year, but the addition of veteran Chris Long and the drafting of Derek Barnett in the first round made it clear that Smith was not likely part of the Eagles' plans at defensive end.