7 issues we’ll be watching at Eagles OTA practices

The Philadelphia Eagles started “Section Three” of their offseason exercise program on Monday. For these unfamiliar, meaning they’re now holding OTA practices. There’s no dwell contact however 7-on-7, 9-on-7, and 11-on-11 drills are permitted.

Tomorrow’s apply on Wednesday, Might 22 marks the primary spring session open to media. I’ll be down on the NovaCare Complicated to report again on my apply observations. Listed below are among the keys issues I’ll be waiting for.

1 – Solutions to depth chart questions

There are a number of place battles to watch this offseason. These practices may provide some extra readability on the place issues stand.

The place does Cooper DeJean line up? The guess is we’ll see him begin out because the nickel with the second group however perhaps he’ll be on the surface as a substitute. Maybe we see him lining up at a number of positions? Actually, the entire secondary bears watching. Is James Bradberry even at apply? Does Quinyon Mitchell instantly get the primary group nod? How does Isaiah Rodgers slot in?

Who’s the fitting guard? Tyler Steen will most likely be working with the primary group. However will the Eagles rotate him in any respect with Matt Hennessy and/or Trevor Keegan?

Who’s WR3? With DeVante Parker unexpectedly retiring, Parris Campbell will most likely be the third first group receiver together with A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith. Will the Eagles rotate him with Ainias Smith? Does Johnny Wilson get any appears to be like?

What does linebacker seem like? Nakobe Dean and Devin White are presently the projected starters. Do they get all the primary group reps? Do the Eagles rotate different guys in? How does Zack Baun, whom was talked about first by Fangio when requested concerning the off-ball linebackers, slot in?

Who’s QB2? It’s most likely Kenny Pickett. Nevertheless it’ll be fascinating to see if he will get all of the QB2 reps or if the coaches truly give Tanner McKee a good probability to win the job by mixing him in.

2 – New coordinators

The Eagles have a brand new offensive coordinator in Kellen Moore and a brand new defensive coordinator in Vic Fangio. It’ll be fascinating to see if there’s any noteworthy schematic stuff. On the very least, we’ll get a primary impression of what they’re like out on the apply area.

3 – New gamers

Notable names embody:

Saquon Barkley
Bryce Huff
Quinyon Mitchell
Cooper DeJean
Devin White
Mekhi Becton
Kenny Pickett

4 – Damage updates

Season-ending accidents right now of 12 months are particularly brutal. The Eagles will clearly be hoping to keep away from these. However we’ll additionally get a have a look at any lingering accidents from final 12 months.

Sydney Brown suffered an ACL harm in early January.
Nakobe Dean is coming off accidents to each of his toes.
Ainias Smith missed rookie minicamp whereas nonetheless recovering from a stress fracture.
Zech McPhearson suffered an Achilles harm final August.

5 – Attendance

Save for the Eagles’ necessary minicamp from June 4-6, the group’s offseason exercise program is voluntary. And so some key gamers may be lacking from apply. Typically it’s a matter of established veterans (like Fletcher Cox and Lane Johnson final 12 months) not needing the reps. Typically it’s greater than that, as evidenced by Haason Reddick — who was not thrilled together with his contract scenario — not coming to OTAs final 12 months. Once more, is Bradberry going to be there?

6 – Second-year leaps

Typically gamers take a very massive developmental leap from 12 months 1 to 12 months 2. The Eagles actually stand to profit from members of their 2023 NFL Draft class stepping up. Can Jalen Carter take one other step nearer to stardom? Is Nolan Smith going to be an element as a go rusher just like the group wants him to be with Reddick gone? What if Kelee Ringo builds on the potential he confirmed late final 12 months and proves to be the second-best nook on the group?

7 – The sudden lengthy shot who pops

In 2018, De’Vante Bausby randomly seemed superior in OTAs. He pale down the stretch in coaching camp/preseason, nevertheless, and did not make the group earlier than later being introduced again on the apply squad. Final 12 months, it was Christian Elliss who seemed actually good in spring practices. He made the group however his defensive taking part in time went down till accidents compelled him again onto the sphere. The Eagles ultimately minimize him to signal Shaq Leonard, which turned out to be a mistake. Will we see an sudden participant actually stand out this spring?