Eagles spring practices: 12 losers from OTAs and minicamp

The Philadelphia Eagles formally wrapped up their offseason exercise program final week. 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 necessary minicamp periods.

I initially supposed for this to be one “winners and losers” article however I went manner too lengthy on the winners, so, it’s now a two-part sequence. Listed here are the losers.

Disclaimer: These had been non-contact drills (no pads), there was restricted 11-on-11 work, and gamers are adjusting to newly applied 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.

LOSERS

QB JALEN HURTS

Certainly I gained’t be accused of hating Jalen Hurts by together with him right here, proper? It’s OK to level out that he didn’t look tremendous sharp — in contrast to how he did throughout 2022 OTAs — this spring? And that he threw extra interceptions than you’d ideally wish to see whereas additionally seemingly not finishing a move over 20 yards? As a result of that’s my trustworthy impression … and if you’ll find a fellow observe observer who completely disagrees with this characterization, be my visitor.

Now, how a lot does all of it really matter? I don’t know. Perhaps not an excessive amount of. It’s fairly attainable that Hurts is taking time to regulate to an offense that’s “95%” new. Maybe issues begin to click on for him in coaching camp and he doesn’t look again from there.

Within the massive image, I really feel like I’m extra optimistic about Hurts than not. He’s solely 25, he’s performed at a particularly excessive degree on the largest attainable stage, and the Eagles have gained 27 of his final 36 begins.

That being stated, I felt a little bit higher about his outlook getting into spring practices than I do leaving them. Between the on-field struggles and his curious feedback about Nick Sirianni, I can’t say the vibes are immaculate and every part is trending in a constructive manner.

Inventory Down™

QB WILL GRIER

Getting into spring practices, it appeared like Grier may be capable to “compete” for QB3. However he didn’t even take a single rep in workforce drills. He’s clearly QB4 behind Hurts, Kenny Pickett, and Tanner McKee. And the latter two quarterbacks had good spring showings.

RB SAQUON BARKLEY

I’d wish to re-stress the previous disclaimer that we noticed little 11-on-11 motion and it’s not just like the Eagles had been operating the ball in non-contact drills. Nonetheless, that doesn’t imply operating backs can’t shine in any respect. Living proof: I included Will Shipley within the “winners” from spring practices. The rookie confirmed some capacity as a pass-catcher. It could’ve been good to see Saquon Barkley have a spotlight rep or two however none of his targets resulted in something noteworthy. In a constructive manner, no less than. There was a rep the place Zack Baun was operating stride-for-stride with Barkley down the left sideline to doubtless forestall a throw his manner. Good rep for Baun … however don’t you need a operating again who ran a 4.40 40-yard sprint creating some separation from an edge-rusher-turned-off-ball-linebacker who examined at 4.65 seconds?

My overarching concern with the Barkley signing is NOT that he’s going to be unhealthy and ineffective. I feel Saquon shall be fantastic. However the Eagles are paying him to be greater than merely fantastic. Amongst all NFL operating backs, he ranks fifth in complete worth, fourth in common annual worth, third in complete assured worth, and first in totally assured worth. There’s an expectation that Barkley shall be SPECIAL … and I don’t assume he’s been that participant since a lot earlier in his profession. I’d like to be flawed however his relative invisibility in spring practices doesn’t depart me feeling higher about his outlook.

RB TYRION DAVIS-PRICE

TDP someway fumbled throughout non-contact drills and in addition dropped a verify down move throughout his restricted reps. Not nice.

WR AINIAS SMITH

Smith missed some observe time as a restricted participant earlier than being upgrading to full go by the top of minicamp. It’s attainable he’s nonetheless knocking the rust off … and he did have a great seize at the back of the top zone throughout a crimson zone drill (though a observe official dominated him out) … however he had extra downs than ups. Smith had certainly one of his very restricted targets move bounce off of his face masks and he muffed a number of punts, which ought to rule him out for that function. Smith was clearly much less spectacular than fellow rookie Johnny Wilson. We’ll see if that modifications in coaching camp.

On a brighter notice, I’ve been having fun with Smith’s YouTube movies. I’d suggest checking them out for some cool behind-the-scenes footage:

WR JOSEPH NGATA

Ngata noticed first-team reps in OTAs with DeVonta Smith not attending voluntary periods. He didn’t do something to face out in a constructive manner. Hurts clearly most well-liked Parris Campbell to him.

WR JACOB HARRIS

Harris flashed some velocity in the course of the first media-attended OTA session however didn’t make two contested catches. He then missed the remainder of spring practices. Lengthy pictures want all of the reps they will get to show they belong on the roster.

OL MATT HENNESSY

Getting into OTAs, there was thought that Hennessy may combine in at first-team proper guard. However he didn’t; it was Tyler Steen who took all of the reps there. With Landon Dickerson excused from minicamp, there was a chance for Hennessy to be the first-team left guard. However the Eagles as a substitute put Mekhi Becton, who hasn’t performed guard within the NFL, in Dickerson’s place. The Eagles additionally just lately signed Max Scharping, who’s one other veteran guard with beginning expertise. Hennessy is dealing with extra competitors for taking part in time than initially thought.

LB NAKOBE DEAN

Dean didn’t take part in workforce drills in the course of the Eagles’ first media-attended OTA observe. Within the second observe, he rotated in with the first-team protection. Throughout minicamp, Dean noticed sparse motion with the starters, as a substitute largely repping with the second-team unit. Contemplating Howie Roseman’s endorsement of Dean earlier this offseason, the pondering right here is that the entrance workplace likes him greater than the teaching workers does. It’s nonetheless attainable that Dean finally ends up incomes a beginning job … however White and Baun at the moment seem like the highest two linebackers. Each of these gamers made extra performs throughout spring practices than I’ve seen from Dean within the entirety of his profession.

CB ELI RICKS

Ricks was the uncommon cornerback who didn’t stand out in a great way this spring. The one time I ever seen him was when he acquired beat … together with by tryout participant Griffin Hebert. The competitors is so fierce at nook that, even when Ricks seemed good, he’s in a difficult spot to earn his roster spot. One other issue working in opposition to Ricks is that fellow depth cornerback Josh Jobe is the superior particular groups participant. I ponder if the Eagles may attempt to commerce Ricks for extra depth at one other place … say, receiver?

CB ZECH MCPHEARSON

Upon seeing McPhearson’s title on the official Eagles web site’s roster web page, I legitimately forgot he was on the workforce. I don’t even recall seeing him at spring practices. It’s fairly attainable he’s not wholesome sufficient to observe but after struggling an Achilles tear final August. Even so, you sometimes see injured gamers watching observe from the sideline. Final yr presently, McPhearson had a official shot to be the Eagles’ backup nickel cornerback. This yr, he’s dealing with a ton of competitors simply to even make the roster and the missed observe time isn’t serving to his case.

S (?) JAMES BRADBERRY

Bradberry didn’t attend voluntary OTAs after which acquired “damage” about two minutes into his first necessary minicamp observe. With so many different gamers shining at cornerback, it’s exhausting to justify conserving him round. And a transition to security doesn’t even actually make sense; he’s not going to be a starter and he’s not going to supply worth as a backup who doesn’t play particular groups. The Eagles are seemingly holding on to him with the hope that they will get something again in a commerce. Groups will most likely name their bluff and simply anticipate them to finally reduce him.