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 means too lengthy, so, we’ll break it up into two elements. “Winners” up first with “losers” to observe.
Disclaimer: These have 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.
WINNERS
CB ISAIAH RODGERS
Coming into OTAs, it wasn’t straightforward to know what to anticipate from Rodgers. He missed the whole 2023 NFL season on account of suspension. Indicators of rust would’ve been fairly comprehensible. However that wasn’t the case. As an alternative, Rodgers’ contemporary legs confirmed up in a giant means as he typically made performs, together with a pick-six on Jalen Hurts. That spotlight rep speaks to the best way Rodgers seemed actually instinctive and explosive breaking on the ball. Rodgers strikes rather well and he was often 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 pressured into enjoying 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 crew management for comparatively low-cost by 2026. The teaching workers doesn’t care a lot in regards to the future; they’re going to go together with the participant they really feel provides them the perfect likelihood to win now. However these could possibly be tie-breaking elements that work for Ringo within the occasion of an in depth 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 workers appears to need to get the 2024 first-round choose on the sector. Along with taking first-team cornerback reps on the skin, Mitchell was additionally used as a dime linebacker. Mitchell was a bit too grabby through the first media-attended OTA apply however he settled in and seemed extra comfy in protection after that day.
CB COOPER DEJEAN
The teaching workers additionally appears to need to get their 2024 second-round choose 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 almost had a one-handed choose on Jalen Hurts at one level. DeJean additionally often repped as a punt returner. DeJean might conceivably win the beginning nickel job. Even when he doesn’t, he figures to see enjoying time in some type 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 nicely for his probabilities 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 apply) and C.J. Gardner-Johnson would be the beginning safeties. I discover that tough to imagine when Blankenship often 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 excellent at realizing 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 every other participant at that place. Baun then proceeded to take the majority of first-team linebacker reps within the spring. He seemed 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 count on him to play lots.
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 previously. There’s a stage of variance to his recreation. The Eagles will hope that the massive performs outweigh the errors. White will get his likelihood to show his price as a starter for this crew.
QB KENNY PICKETT
Pickett had some up-and-down practices however completed robust 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 seemed higher throwing the ball than Marcus Mariota did in apply 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 just isn’t happening with out a struggle. It felt just like the ball hardly ever 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 could be good to see McKee get some reps with the second-team offense to see what he can do each with/towards increased 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 replenish nod for being the beginning proper guard day-after-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 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 appropriate guard job, Becton might exchange 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 seemed 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 seemed way 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 seemed 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 maintain 4 working backs on the roster however there could possibly be a apply squad alternative for him.
TE GRANT CALCATERRA
Calcaterra didn’t mild 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 immediately 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 numerous other ways, proper? That may look 12 personnel, that may look 21 personnel that may work. You realize, we don’t have a fullback, however two half backs that may appear like 11 personnel, proper?
And so, you already know that third, you already know, 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 already know, and in order that he’s, he’s a man that’s in there, you already know, 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 attention-grabbing to see if Jenkins can proceed to pop. He might push for TE3.
WR PARRIS CAMPBELL
Campbell took a lot of the WR3 reps with the first-team offense. None of his catches have been significantly memorable … however he did see a good quantity of targets from Hurts. And that’s important since, as beforehand famous, Hurts doesn’t simply robotically 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 top of minicamp, he was getting appears to be like with the first-team offense. Ross nonetheless appears to be like very quick however he’s not merely a deep menace; he made catches everywhere in the discipline. Ross appeared to rapidly earn the belief of Kenny Pickett, who preferred concentrating 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 straightforward to root for him. Laborious to not respect his vulnerability and authenticity.
WR JOHNNY WILSON
Wilson’s measurement benefit was on show within the ultimate 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 nicely for his listed measurement (6’6”, 228 kilos).
