Now that Philadelphia Eagles coaching camp is over, let’s spotlight the largest winners, losers, and I don’t is aware of from 18 days of apply and two preseason video games.
Ojomo appeared nice all all through coaching camp, even when Jalen Carter missed some practices early on. He was disruptive each as a pass-rusher and run defender. It’s a bit a lot to counsel the Eagles received’t miss a beat going from Milton Williams to Ojomo, who’s a participant with one profession sack and two profession TFLs in 29 video games performed. However it’s laborious not to be ok with Ojomo having a breakout season. I’m anticipating the statistical manufacturing to choose up this yr.
Again in early June, Vic Fangio mentioned Campbell wouldn’t be able to apply till August. However the Eagles’ 2025 first-round choose was prepared to participate in staff drills on the primary day of coaching camp (July 23). By the ultimate day of coaching camp (August 20), Campbell was elevated to the first-team protection subsequent to Zack Baun. It appears to be like just like the rookie goes to be a Week 1 starter after displaying actual promise this summer time. And it’s not like Campbell received the job by default; the Eagles had different off-ball linebackers enjoying effectively (fairly stunning idea). It’ll be fascinating to see precisely how Vic Fangio makes use of Campbell as a rookie. His cross speeding potential is very intriguing.
Steen took all of the first-team proper guard reps in camp. Was he good? No. However Steen stayed wholesome (in contrast to final yr, which opened the door for Mekhi Becton to exchange him) and he performed effectively sufficient to forestall the Eagles from contemplating different choices at his place.
Q was already fairly nice as a rookie however he appears to be like primed to be even higher in 12 months 2. Mitchell, who got here up with a number of interceptions, was a lockdown cornerback all through camp. And that’s with repeatedly going up towards A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith. Mitchell repping at each exterior cornerback positions suggests the Eagles might have him shadow star broad receivers this season.
BGN commenter xXVolksWestyXx posed this query to me on Thursday (associated: I just lately requested to your most controversial Eagles opinions in The Feed):
My reply: Saquon Barkley will likely be even higher than final yr.
Topping a yr the place he set a brand new NFL document for single-season speeding yards (together with playoffs) is an insanely excessive bar to clear. And historical past doesn’t bode effectively for gamers coming off such main workloads (see: Christian McCaffrey in 2024).
Betting on the exception is harmful. However I feel Barkley would possibly really be the exception.
He appeared higher to me in camp this yr than he did final yr.
Going to repeat this from Day 11 of my apply notes:
Let’s be clear: I don’t assume Carter has been dogging it at apply by any means. However it looks like he can hit a wholly completely different gear when he actually needs to take action. Right now was a kind of days the place Carter determined to be a game-wrecker (effectively, practice-wrecker). He strip-sacked Hurts. He knocked down a cross on the line of scrimmage. He continued to shine in 1-on-1s. Throughout coaching camp, it may be straightforward to miss gamers we already know are nice on the expense of being attentive to guys with extra to show. However it bears repeating that Carter is a power to be reckoned with.
Carter was chatting it up along with his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, earlier than apply sooner or later (pictured beneath courtesy of Bleeding Inexperienced Nation photographer Holden Blanco).
I’m certain Carter is conscious he’s eligible for an enormous contract extension after this season. He appears to be like able to exit and dominate once more.
McKee is at the moment coping with a finger damage however, assuming it’s not critical, he’s an enormous winner from this summer time. For QB2 requirements, McKee appeared sharp in apply. He was superior within the Eagles’ first preseason recreation. A lot in order that the staff didn’t need to threat damage to him by resting him their second preseason recreation. If I’m the Eagles, I’m not entertaining buying and selling him till after the 2025 marketing campaign. They’re competing to win Tremendous Bowl LX. Jalen Hurts averages 1.5 missed video games per season. There’s no nice choice behind the Eagles’ beginning quarterback if McKee is gone.
Nobody improved their standing on the staff greater than Darius “The official Brandon Lee Gowton coaching camp crush” Cooper did this summer time. The undrafted rookie free agent entered camp as a protracted shot to even make the roster. Now he’s clearly on it after taking a superb variety of first-team reps and being repeatedly focused by Jalen Hurts. The query now’s: what does Cooper’s snap rely appear like? The Eagles could have him behind A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, and Jahan Dotson. He’s additionally going to be beneath Dallas Goedert by way of the goal pecking order. However that doesn’t imply Cooper can’t take advantage of his restricted alternatives and work his means into a much bigger function. Sleep on him at your personal peril.
Dotson didn’t have an excessively flashy camp however he was constantly stable. He’s clearly considered because the Eagles’ No. 3 broad receiver. Jalen Hurts appears snug throwing to him now, which is essential since he solely averaged . Dotson can also be within the combine to return punts for the Eagles. He needs to be extra helpful than the non-factor he was for the overwhelming majority of final season.
I’m not completely bought on Shipley as a runner however he actually can contribute as a pass-catcher. And whether or not you want him or not, we all know the Eagles view him as RB2; they rested him within the second preseason recreation whereas AJ Dillon performed. Shipley is the brand new Kenny Gainwell.
Uche confirmed probably the most juice of any Eagles edge rusher behind Nolan Smith and Jalyx Hunt. He wasn’t thought-about to be a lock for the roster when the staff signed him to a one-year deal however he ought to make it and have a rotational function on this protection.
Trot Jr. took the vast majority of first-team off-ball linebacker reps this offseason. And he appeared actually good whereas doing it. He clearly processes the sport effectively; he all the time appears in be in the proper place. Sadly for Trot Jr., the Eagles drafted a very proficient participant in Campbell that’s poised to play over him. Trot Jr. should dwell with being an essential depth piece, similar to Oren Burks ended up being for the Eagles final season.
Mondon Jr. confirmed promise that he might ultimately develop right into a beginning caliber participant. Or at the least be a playable backup. Once more, it’s wild that the Eagles not solely have actually good beginning linebackers however high quality depth behind them.
The Eagles felt snug buying and selling Thomas Booker away partially resulting from Corridor’s improvement, which Fangio has commented on a number of instances. The 2024 UDFA signing appears to be like like he generally is a stable rotational defensive deal with.
The Eagles set the desk for Ringo to begin in 2025. They designated Darius Slay as a post-June 1 reduce. They opted to not re-sign Isaiah Rodgers. They introduced in Adoree’ Jackson as a low bar for Ringo to clear.
And but … Ringo did not seize the chance. His struggles prompted the staff to demote him out of taking first-team reps by the top of camp.
It could be untimely to write down off the 23-year-old Ringo totally. Nolan Smith’s outlook wasn’t very favorable right now final yr when he was enjoying effectively into the Eagles’ third and ultimate preseason recreation. Perhaps Ringo will get higher over the course of the 2025 season if/when he’s pressured into motion.
However it’s at the moment not trying good for Ringo, who’s now apparently coping with a quad damage on high of not performing effectively.
I’d argue Ricks had a greater offseason this yr than he did final yr. However he’s now behind Quinyon Mitchell, Cooper DeJean, Adoree’ Jackson, Jakorian Bennett, Mac McWilliams, and Kelee Ringo on the depth chart. He was the Eagles’ seventh CB final yr. Are they actually going to maintain him once more as he enters a contract yr and doesn’t actually supply particular groups worth?
Wilson actually turned it round after a tough begin to camp however now he’s out for the 2025 season resulting from a season-ending damage. Very unlucky improvement.
With Dean lacking all of coaching camp, it appears to be like like he’s going to start the common season on the reserve/PUP checklist (bodily unable to carry out). If that’s the case, he’ll be ineligible to play till Week 5 on the very earliest. Perhaps the mix of accidents and/or struggles will give him a path to enjoying time. If that’s not the case, what’s his function? Is Dean undoubtedly the highest backup behind Baun and Campbell? How near the superb participant we noticed final yr will he be upon returning? Doesn’t appear to be Dean is in a fantastic spot getting into a contract yr.
ALMOST ALL OF THE EAGLES’ DEPTH OFFENSIVE LINEMEN
The Eagles’ offensive line depth is a priority getting into 2025. From the surface, at the least, it appears to be like to be unsettled. Who’s the swing deal with? Is there one man or do the beginning deal with spots have completely different major backups? Who’s going to beginning Week 1 at left guard if Landon Dickerson isn’t prepared? There are plenty of questions right here. Not one of the backups are inspiring a lot confidence. Brett Toth has appeared OK at guard however he can’t play heart and he’s not essentially a roster lock. Kendall Lamm has been shaky. Matt Pryor can play guard however not deal with. Kenyon Inexperienced has struggled to remain wholesome and play effectively. Trevor Keegan hasn’t stood out in a great way. Drew Kendall (who has extraordinarily restricted guard expertise) and Darian Kinnard could be probably the most promising gamers?
It appeared like DTR had an actual likelihood to be the Eagles’ emergency third quarterback this season. He had some good practices the place he outshined rookie Kyle McCord. However then DTR actually struggled within the Eagles’ second preseason recreation. Since then, McCord has taken the overwhelming majority of the Eagles’ QB2 reps with McKee lacking time. DTR’s days look like numbered.
For a man with such prolific school soccer manufacturing, you assume he would possibly’ve carried out one thing noticeable this summer time. As a substitute, he was fairly invisible. Observe squad looks like the very best case state of affairs for APR.
Nick Sirianni sounded enthusiastic about Williams when he spoke on the NFL homeowners conferences. Williams gave the Eagles nothing to get enthusiastic about this offseason. He missed spring practices resulting from damage after which failed to face out in practices and preseason video games. He didn’t look good on offense and he did nothing particular as a returner.
Regardless of lacking a number of practices and the Eagles’ first preseason recreation resulting from a shoulder damage, Mukuba seemed to be pulling within the lead for the beginning security job following his efficiency towards the Cleveland Browns. However then Mukuba picked up a hamstring damage through the penultimate coaching camp apply. I don’t know the way critical it’s. If it’s not too dangerous, perhaps he’ll nonetheless begin Week 1. However perhaps the missed time is simply an excessive amount of for Fangio.
Brown didn’t appear to have a foul camp however I don’t know that he had a superb one, both. Perhaps he’ll profit from Mukuba lacking time and solidify himself as the highest security subsequent to Reed Blankenship. I don’t know the way anybody might really feel very assured about that consequence, although.
I don’t know if Dickerson is certainly enjoying Week 1. He’s fairly robust, so, I don’t need to doubt him. However even when he does swimsuit up, one should marvel the extent to which he’ll be hampered.
I don’t know precisely the place DeJean goes to play. The Eagles had him as their exterior cornerback in base protection reps through the spring. Then they shifted him to security in base protection reps for many of coaching camp. However then they moved him again to exterior cornerback late in camp with nobody stepping up for the CB2 job. DeJean could be the Eagles’ greatest guess to begin full-time on the surface … although Fangio didn’t appear eager on that concept, particularly since there’s no apparent reply at nickel cornerback in that state of affairs. Is it honest to marvel if transferring DeJean round a lot could be messing along with his improvement? He didn’t have the strongest camp; he received beat a good quantity.
As the primary first-team cornerback in 12 of the Eagles’ 18 coaching camp practices, Jackson appears to be the Eagles’ beginning cornerback. However he didn’t precisely play effectively this summer time. And Devin White took plenty of first-team reps final yr earlier than by no means really enjoying an everyday season snap for the Eagles. I’m not saying it’s an an identical state of affairs right here and that Jackson will certainly get reduce. I don’t know if Jackson will final lengthy as a starter if he does stick round, although. After which his worth as a backup who doesn’t play particular groups is restricted.
Bennett had a pleasant cross breakup within the Eagles’ second preseason recreation. However that was after the Cleveland Browns’ broad receivers gave him some issues within the joint coaching camp practices. There’s motive to imagine that the very-soon-to-be 25-year-old Bennett can get higher as he adjusts to the Eagles’ system. He might need probably the most upside of the Eagles’ CB2 choices. He would possibly simply be extra of a backup caliber participant, although. I don’t know.
McWilliams has taken some first-team cornerback reps. He’s unlikely to be the Week 1 starter however he would possibly ultimately get a crack on the CB2 job if nobody else is ready to lock it down. To even be considerably in rivalry for a beginning function as a Day 3 choose is an effective consequence for him. However I don’t know if that’s essentially a fantastic consequence for the staff.
Smith appears to be like higher than he did final yr, which isn’t saying lots since he had a reasonably tough camp as a rookie. I don’t know if I actually imagine he belongs on the roster, although. To be clear, I feel he’ll make it. However his greatest catches have come on very quick patterns that don’t look very spectacular. Perhaps I’m not giving him the correct credit score he deserves for these. I simply don’t know the way his recreation interprets towards increased ranges of competitors. Additionally, I feel it stands out how Smith has been outshined by Darius Cooper. Smith could be the staff’s high punt returner choice, so there may be doubtlessly that.
For probably the most half, Ojulari had a really quiet summer time. He did have a pleasant sack within the Eagles’ second preseason recreation. And a number of Eagles reporters famous that he stood out within the joint coaching camp practices towards the Browns. So, there are some indicators of life right here. However I don’t know that I really feel assured about him being an efficient rotational edge rusher.
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