Thursday night time brings us the Philadelphia Eagles’ second preseason sport, a street matchup in opposition to the New England Patriots.
The Birds outclassed the Pats throughout a single joint coaching camp observe in Foxborough, Massachusetts earlier this week. The Eagles’ starters noticed loads of motion in that setting however I’m guessing we received’t see a lot of them tonight.
With that concept in thoughts, listed here are essentially the most particularly fascinating Eagles to look at tonight. On your viewing comfort, I’ve listed jersey numbers subsequent to the participant names.
#4 – Jake Elliott
There’s in all probability no want to fret about Elliott. Seeing him miss one other kick or two wouldn’t be very comforting, although.
#7 – Kenny Pickett
Pickett was not spectacular in his Eagles debut final week. It’d be good to see him let it rip a bit extra after failing to finish a cross past 10 yards in Baltimore. Nobody is realistically asking for him to gentle the world on hearth; simply appear like a reliable QB2 possibility.
#16 – Tanner McKee
It’ll be fascinating to see if the Eagles give McKee some work with the second-team offense. The coaches have been doing that in observe however they didn’t do it in final week’s preseason sport. It looks like giving McKee some extra help can be a greater technique to consider him. Whereas McKee didn’t look nice final week, he didn’t get a lot assist from his supporting forged.
#17 – Nakobe Dean
How the Eagles deal with enjoying time at linebacker bears monitoring. Final week, Zack Baun and Devin White had been clearly the highest two starters. This week’s observe in opposition to the Patriots advised issues are extra in flux than they beforehand seemed to be, nonetheless, with the Eagles utilizing a number of totally different first-team mixtures. Can Dean capitalize on current momentum and set up himself as a starter in any case? Or no less than cement his standing as a rotational contributor?
#22 – Kelee Ringo
Ringo flashed in opposition to the Ravens final week however he’s but to overhaul Isaiah Rodgers for first-team CB2 reps since then. Ringo will attempt to strengthen his case to begin once more tonight.
#24 – James Bradberry IV
Bradberry appears to be making an efficient transition to security. However as a result of lack of tackling in observe, precise sport snaps would be the finest barometer to gauge his progress.
#30 – Quinyon Mitchell
Mitchell virtually got here up with an interception final week. It might not be shocking if the rookie cornerback finds his technique to get his arms on the ball once more on Thursday night time.
#34 – Isaiah Rodgers
Rodgers’ snap depend will likely be fascinating to observe. If he doesn’t play a lot, that’s clearly an amazing signal for his possibilities of profitable the beginning job. If he does play, there will likely be strain to look good with Ringo and Mitchell probably coming for his spot. Cooper DeJean may additionally ultimately be within the combine, although it looks like he received’t be able to swimsuit up on Thursday night time since he solely returned to observe in a restricted capability on Tuesday.
#35 – Tyrion Davis-Worth
I’m going to group all of the RB4 candidates collectively right here: TDP, Lew Nichols (#38), and Kendall Milton (#36). TDP posted the perfect numbers of any again final week however he’s additionally actually struggled to catch the ball in observe. Nichols and Milton can each run exhausting as effectively. Nobody separated themselves in a significant method within the first preseason sport. We’ll see if that modifications tonight.
#36 – Tristin McCollum
McCollum has made a behavior of flying to the ball on each protection and particular groups. The backup security seems to be pushing for a roster spot.
#47 – Brandon Smith
The Penn State alumnus missed final week’s sport resulting from a concussion. Taking part in subsequent to Ben VanSumeren, Smith noticed some linebacker reps with the first-team protection on Tuesday. He’s the Eagles’ greatest off-ball linebacker and he’s used his measurement and energy to overwhelm blockers at instances.
#48 – Patrick Johnson
Johnson’s clutch strip-sack arrange the Eagles’ win in opposition to the Ravens final week. Can he proceed to point out that he deserves to be on the roster? Johnson seems to be firmly on the bubble in the interim.
#54 – Jeremiah Trotter Jr.
JTJ didn’t appear like a rookie in his first preseason sport. He adopted that efficiency up with a powerful interception on a Jacoby Brissett throw in Tuesday’s observe. If Trot Jr. continues to flash, the coaches must discover a function for him.
#56 – Tyler Steen
Even when Steen isn’t beginning, he’s nonetheless an necessary backup to observe. Mekhi Becton has an damage historical past and he hasn’t been so dominant at proper guard that he can’t take a step again and ultimately get replaced. Steen appeared bothered by a lingering ankle damage final week, so, it might be good to see him wanting more healthy on the market.
#58 – Jalyx Hunt
Vic Fangio admitted that Hunt appears to be like extra superior than he anticipated, which is what we’ve been saying as effectively. We all know he’s athletic and may operate in house. Can we see him have an effect as a cross rusher?
#77 – Mekhi Becton
If the Eagles relaxation their offensive starters once more, does Becton nonetheless swimsuit up like he did final week? Or do the Eagles affirm that he’s received the beginning proper guard competitors by not even enjoying him?
#80 – Parris Campbell
Campbell won’t be able to play since he was solely restricted on Tuesday. However time is operating out for him to show he deserves to be on this roster.
#83 – John Ross
Ross led the Eagles in receiving final week, although that isn’t saying a lot (28 yards). He didn’t generate a lot separation. The Eagles will in all probability strive to attract up an enormous play alternative for him in some unspecified time in the future.
#84 – E.J. Jenkins
Jenkins had a foul drop in opposition to the Ravens. Since then, he’s made some good catches in observe. Of all of the TE3 choices, he provides essentially the most intriguing ceiling. He may increase his inventory with a great displaying tonight.
#89 – Johnny Wilson
Wilson didn’t look nice within the observe in opposition to the Patriots. If he fails to encourage confidence once more, the Eagles may get extra severe a few WR3 commerce.