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 classes.
I initially meant for this to be one article however I went method too lengthy, so, we’ll break it up into two components. “Winners” up first with “losers” to observe.
Disclaimer: These had 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 vary 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 the complete 2023 NFL season because of suspension. Indicators of rust would’ve been fairly comprehensible. However that wasn’t the case. As a substitute, Rodgers’ contemporary legs confirmed up in an enormous method as he usually made performs, together with a pick-six on Jalen Hurts. That spotlight rep speaks to the way in which Rodgers regarded actually instinctive and explosive breaking on the ball. Rodgers strikes very well and he was recurrently 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 enjoying time late final season. He adopted up that with spring. Ringo rotated in as a first-team cornerback and, not not like Rodgers, made performs on the ball whereas usually trying sticky in protection. Whereas Rodgers turns 27 this season and can be a free agent after 2024, Ringo solely turns 22 this month and is underneath crew management for comparatively low cost by means 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 might be tie-breaking components 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. Alternatively, the teaching employees appears to wish to get the 2024 first-round decide on the sphere. Along with taking first-team cornerback reps on the surface, Mitchell was additionally used as a dime linebacker. Mitchell was a bit too grabby throughout the first media-attended OTA follow however he settled in and regarded extra snug in protection after that day.
CB COOPER DEJEAN
The teaching employees additionally appears to wish to get their 2024 second-round decide on the sphere. 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 recurrently repped as a punt returner. DeJean may conceivably win the beginning nickel job. Even when he doesn’t, he figures to see enjoying time in some sort of function 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 had been lacking a number of secondary starters. That appears to bode nicely for his possibilities of making the crew.
DB AVONTE MADDOX
I don’t recall Maddox making many noteworthy performs however his inventory is up primarily based on nonetheless being the first-team nickel cornerback and likewise taking reps on the again finish of the protection. Maddox’s versatility helps his roster possibilities and will enable the Eagles to go lighter at security.
S REED BLANKENSHIP
I’ve seen some sentiment that Sydney Brown (who isn’t but cleared to follow) and C.J. Gardner-Johnson would be the beginning safeties. I discover that onerous to imagine when Blankenship recurrently makes performs in follow. He created a Hurts interception by tipping a cross after which picked off Hurts himself in one other follow. Blankenship is excellent 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 identify got here up earlier than another 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 loads.
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 meant 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 prior to now. There’s a stage of variance to his sport. The Eagles will hope that the massive performs outweigh the errors. White will get his likelihood to show his value as a starter for this crew.
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 along with his targets. Pickett regarded higher throwing the ball than Marcus Mariota did in follow settings final 12 months. 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 shouldn’t be happening with out a struggle. 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 outdoors 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/towards larger 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 refill nod for being the beginning proper guard daily. The pondering right here is the Eagles won’t be 100% satisfied he’s going to be nice however they wish to give him each likelihood to attempt to win that job.
OG MEKHI BECTON
Becton took first-team proper deal with 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 suitable guard job, Becton may change 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 nicely as “preventing the ball.” By stark distinction, Shipley regarded far more pure as a pass-catcher throughout Wednesday’s minicamp follow whereas he was utilized at totally different ranges of the sphere. Maybe Shipley has settled in a bit after some preliminary rookie struggles. This was a follow 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 working again can proceed to point out up. I don’t assume the Eagles will preserve 4 working backs on the roster however there might be a follow squad alternative for him.
TE GRANT CALCATERRA
Calcaterra didn’t gentle the world on hearth however he had some strong 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 broad 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 plenty of alternative ways, proper? That may look 12 personnel, that may look 21 personnel that may work. You understand, we don’t have a fullback, however two half backs that may seem like 11 personnel, proper?
And so, you realize that third, you realize, Grant Calcaterra has carried out an unbelievable job. He’s proven, toughness and psychological toughness to get higher each single day, I observed that each single day I’m not, you realize, and in order that he’s, he’s a man that’s in there, you realize, I’m happy with our depth. […]
Calcaterra is presently 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 likely to fade when the pads go on and the physicality ramps up in coaching camp. It’ll be fascinating to see if Jenkins can proceed to pop. He may push for TE3.
WR PARRIS CAMPBELL
Campbell took a lot of the WR3 reps with the first-team offense. None of his catches had been notably memorable … however he did see an honest 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 follow. By the tip of minicamp, he was getting seems to be with the first-team offense. Ross nonetheless seems to be very quick however he’s not merely a deep menace; he made catches everywhere in the area. Ross appeared to shortly earn the belief of Kenny Pickett, who appreciated concentrating on him. Ross is hardly a assure to make the roster however he has an opportunity to push for that WR3 function. After watching his press convention final week, it’s actual simple to root for him. Exhausting to not respect his vulnerability and authenticity.
WR JOHNNY WILSON
Wilson’s measurement benefit was on show within the last minicamp follow when he was in a position to catch a downfield cross over the outstretched arm of Isaiah Rodgers. That result’s precisely what Wilson may deliver to the desk as a low-volume, big-play function participant. Many observers agree that Wilson strikes nicely for his listed measurement (6’6”, 228 kilos).
