The Philadelphia Eagles formally wrapped up their offseason exercise program on Thursday. Now let’s check out the winners and losers that stood out from attending 5 spring practices within the type of two days of voluntary OTAs and three obligatory minicamp periods.
I initially supposed for this to be one article however I went manner too lengthy, so, we’ll break it up into two components. “Winners” up first with “losers” to comply with.
Disclaimer: These have been non-contact drills (no pads), there was restricted 11-on-11 work, and gamers are adjusting to newly carried out schemes. There’s nonetheless loads of time for gamers to alter their outlook — for higher or worse — over the course of coaching camp and preseason video games.
WINNERS
CB ISAIAH RODGERS
Coming into OTAs, it wasn’t simple to know what to anticipate from Rodgers. He missed your entire 2023 NFL season because of suspension. Indicators of rust would’ve been fairly comprehensible. However that wasn’t the case. As a substitute, Rodgers’ recent legs confirmed up in a giant manner as he typically made performs, together with a pick-six on Jalen Hurts. That spotlight rep speaks to the best way Rodgers regarded actually instinctive and explosive breaking on the ball. Rodgers strikes very well and he was commonly sticky in protection. Rodgers took a great deal of first-team cornerback reps throughout from Darius Slay. He additionally took punt and kick return reps. On the very least, he’s in a robust place to make the roster. There’s an actual likelihood he’s a Week 1 starter.
CB KELEE RINGO
Ringo confirmed some promise when compelled into taking part in time late final season. He adopted up that with a superb spring. Ringo rotated in as a first-team cornerback and, not in contrast to Rodgers, made performs on the ball whereas typically wanting sticky in protection. Whereas Rodgers turns 27 this season and shall be a free agent after 2024, Ringo solely turns 22 this month and is below workforce management for comparatively low cost by way of 2026. The teaching employees doesn’t care a lot in regards to the future; they’re going to go together with the participant they really feel offers them one of the best likelihood to win now. However these may very well be tie-breaking elements that work for Ringo within the occasion of a detailed name.
CB QUINYON MITCHELL
On one hand, Mitchell appears much less more likely to be a Week 1 starter with each Rodgers and Ringo shining. Then again, the teaching employees appears to need to get the 2024 first-round decide on the sector. Along with taking first-team cornerback reps on the surface, Mitchell was additionally used as a dime linebacker. Mitchell was a bit too grabby in the course of the first media-attended OTA apply however he settled in and regarded extra snug in protection after that day.
CB COOPER DEJEAN
The teaching employees additionally appears to need to get their 2024 second-round decide on the sector. DeJean lined up as each a nickel nook and an out of doors nook. Coaches aren’t at all times so keen to place a ton on a rookie’s plate, so, the truth that the Eagles are doing it with DeJean signifies they really feel he can deal with it. DeJean made some performs within the spring; he broke up a pair passes and practically had a one-handed decide on Jalen Hurts at one level. DeJean additionally commonly repped as a punt returner. DeJean might conceivably win the beginning nickel job. Even when he doesn’t, he figures to see taking part in time in some sort of position participant capability.
CB TYLER HALL
Corridor wasn’t as flashy as the opposite cornerbacks however he did take first-team nickel cornerback reps on a day the place the Eagles have been lacking a number of secondary starters. That appears to bode properly for his possibilities of making the workforce.
DB AVONTE MADDOX
I don’t recall Maddox making many noteworthy performs however his inventory is up based mostly on nonetheless being the first-team nickel cornerback and in addition taking reps on the again finish of the protection. Maddox’s versatility helps his roster possibilities and will permit the Eagles to go lighter at security.
S REED BLANKENSHIP
I’ve seen some sentiment that Sydney Brown (who isn’t but cleared to apply) and C.J. Gardner-Johnson would be the beginning safeties. I discover that arduous to imagine when Blankenship commonly makes performs in apply. He created a Hurts interception by tipping a cross after which picked off Hurts himself in one other apply. Blankenship is superb at understanding the place to be.
LB ZACK BAUN
When Vic Fangio was requested in regards to the Eagles’ off-ball linebackers in his first Philly convention, Zack Baun’s title got here up earlier than some other participant at that place. Baun then proceeded to take the majority of first-team linebacker reps within the spring. He regarded like a fluid mover; there was even a rep the place he was stride-for-stride downfield with Saquon Barkley. I don’t know if Baun goes to be good however I do anticipate him to play so much.
LB DEVIN WHITE
White had a flashy spring. He tipped a Hurts cross to create an interception for Baun. He additionally caught a tipped Hurts cross for his personal interception. White “sacked” Hurts on a blitz. After which he broke up a Hurts cross supposed for Saquon Barkley in the long run zone. White doesn’t lack means as a play-maker; it’s inconsistency that’s been a bugaboo for him up to now. There’s a stage of variance to his sport. The Eagles will hope that the large performs outweigh the errors. White will get his likelihood to show his price as a starter for this workforce.
QB KENNY PICKETT
Pickett had some up-and-down practices however completed sturdy to total outperform comparatively low expectations. His frequent success with back-shoulder throws stood out; his consolation stage with these is spectacular contemplating he hasn’t but spent a ton of time constructing chemistry together with his targets. Pickett regarded higher throwing the ball than Marcus Mariota did in apply settings final yr. He’s within the driver’s seat for the QB2 job, having taken all of the reps with that unit.
QB TANNER MCKEE
Whereas Pickett is the favourite to be QB2, McKee just isn’t happening with no battle. It felt just like the ball not often hit the bottom when the second-year quarterback was in to throw. McKee made some good anticipatory throws from the pocket whereas additionally proving able to throwing precisely from exterior of the pocket. I doubt the Eagles will do it however it might be good to see McKee get some reps with the second-team offense to see what he can do each with/in opposition to greater ranges of competitors.
OG TYLER STEEN
There’s solely a lot to be gleaned from the trenches when the Eagles didn’t do a lot 11-on-11 work. However Steen will get a fill up nod for being the beginning proper guard each day. The pondering right here is the Eagles won’t be 100% satisfied he’s going to be nice however they need to give him each likelihood to attempt to win that job.
OG MEKHI BECTON
Becton took first-team proper sort out reps when Lane Johnson didn’t attend voluntary OTAs. He then took first-team left guard reps with Landon Dickerson being excused from minicamp. If Steen fails to run away with the best guard job, Becton might substitute him within the beginning lineup. On the very least, Jeff Stoutland is aiming to have Becton because the sixth offensive linemen, a backup at each non-center place.
RB WILL SHIPLEY
The primary two Shipley catches I witnessed weren’t encouraging. His movement regarded clunky, not fluid, as he caught the passes within the flat and didn’t look primed to achieve yards after the catch. My colleague John McMullen phrased it properly as “combating the ball.” By stark distinction, Shipley regarded far more pure as a pass-catcher throughout Wednesday’s minicamp apply whereas he was utilized at completely different ranges of the sector. Maybe Shipley has settled in a bit after some preliminary rookie struggles. This was a apply setting that catered to his theoretical skill-set.
RB KENDALL MILTON
Milton caught a pair swing passes and regarded fairly quick taking off downfield. to see if this UDFA operating again can proceed to point out up. I don’t assume the Eagles will hold 4 operating backs on the roster however there may very well be a apply squad alternative for him.
TE GRANT CALCATERRA
Calcaterra didn’t gentle the world on hearth however he had some stable catches and noticed time with the first-team offense in 12 personnel. Nick Sirianni praised Calcaterra when not even instantly prompted to speak about him:
Q. At huge receiver, who stands out for the third spot particularly and the depth total?
NICK SIRIANNI: I just like the depth. I actually just like the depth so far as the third spot, I imply that may look loads of other ways, proper? That may look 12 personnel, that may look 21 personnel that may work. You already know, we don’t have a fullback, however two half backs that may seem like 11 personnel, proper?
And so, you recognize that third, you recognize, Grant Calcaterra has executed an unbelievable job. He’s proven, toughness and psychological toughness to get higher each single day, I seen that each single day I’m not, you recognize, and in order that he’s, he’s a man that’s in there, you recognize, I’m happy with our depth. […]
Calcaterra is at present the favourite for TE2.
TE E.J. JENKINS
Jenkins, the tallest tight finish on the roster, made some attention-grabbing catches throughout spring practices. Some guys shine within the spring however are inclined to fade when the pads go on and the physicality ramps up in coaching camp. It’ll be attention-grabbing to see if Jenkins can proceed to pop. He might push for TE3.
WR PARRIS CAMPBELL
Campbell took many of the WR3 reps with the first-team offense. None of his catches have been notably memorable … however he did see a good quantity of targets from Hurts. And that’s important since, as beforehand famous, Hurts doesn’t simply mechanically belief any participant that’s on the market with him. Additionally, there this:
WR JOHN ROSS
Ross wasn’t even on the roster for the Eagles’ first media-attended OTA apply. By the tip of minicamp, he was getting appears with the first-team offense. Ross nonetheless appears very quick however he’s not merely a deep menace; he made catches everywhere in the discipline. Ross appeared to shortly earn the belief of Kenny Pickett, who appreciated focusing on him. Ross is hardly a assure to make the roster however he has an opportunity to push for that WR3 position. After watching his press convention final week, it’s actual simple to root for him. Onerous to not respect his vulnerability and authenticity.
WR JOHNNY WILSON
Wilson’s measurement benefit was on show within the closing minicamp apply when he was in a position to catch a downfield cross over the outstretched arm of Isaiah Rodgers. That result’s precisely what Wilson might deliver to the desk as a low-volume, big-play position participant. Many observers agree that Wilson strikes properly for his listed measurement (6’6”, 228 kilos).
