Caleb Harris
PHILADELPHIA – Organized team activities are in full swing for the Philadelphia Eagles as the team conducted its second of six OTA practices, but the first open to the media. The hour-and-12-minute workout conducted primarily in 7-on-7 drills as the Eagles prepare for the 2024 season.
There are still four more OTA practices on the agenda: May 23rd, May 28th and May 30th to 31st. Mandatory minicamp is scheduled from June 4th to 6th.
Here are some observations from open practice:
Who wasn’t here?
This is a voluntary OTA session, so players are not required to practice. James Bradberry, whose future with the Eagles could be in flux, was not present at the voluntary session. Sydney Brown was watching the safeties behind them in 7-on-7 practice while still recovering from a torn ACL.
Kelee Ringo wasn’t at practice either. Nakobe Dean was there but did not participate in the 7-on-7. The same goes for Ainias Smith (stress fracture). Ringo’s absence is noticeable, as he likely would have received first-team reps without Bradberry being present.
No Lane Johnson or Jake Elliott either.
Depth Chart Observations
During the 7-on-7 portion of OTAs, we got our first look at the revamped secondary. Keep in mind that Bradberry and Ringo were not present at Wednesday’s open session.
Darius Slay and Isaiah Rodgers lined up at first-team cornerback. CJ Gardner-Johnson and Reed Blankenship were at safety, with Avonte Maddox mixing between cornerback and safety. It appears Vic Fangio wants to give Maddox a good look at safety this summer.
At linebacker, Devin White and Zack Baun were in the starting lineup and Dean wasn’t there. Fangio revealing he sees Baun as an inside linebacker is being tested in camp.
Rookies Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean were on the second team at cornerback. DeJean was also getting some looks in the starting lineup. Josh Jobe was also blending into the second team at cornerback. Jalyx Hunt and Tarron Jackson were getting some reps with the first team on the edge, but that position is always in flux in May.
Rookie Jeremiah Trotter Jr. was on the third-team MIKE linebacker spot. Oren Burks and Ben VanSumeren were on the second team at linebacker.
What happened in 7 on 7?
- AJ Brown beat Isaiah Rodgers on an outside route with the first team
- Quinyon Mitchell had blanket coverage on a deep pass from Kenny Pickett to Jacob Harris. It was a fine ball from Pickett.
- Mitchell also had a breakup with Johnny Wilson. His footwork is fluid.
- Albert Okwuegbunam got a nice catch from Tanner McKee up the middle. two plays later, he dropped a pass.
- Zack Baun was heavily covered on a pass designed by Jalen Hurts, forcing Hurts to run to his right and take off toward the sideline.
- Great Britain Covey had a sideline catch with Cooper DeJean in coverage. Covey is competing for the WR3 spot.
- Johnny Wilson received a strong catch from Tanner McKee as the third team offense began.
- Kenny Pickett had a strong pitching day. The best was a lateral pass to Lew Nichols.
- Tanner McKee also had a strong day playing football, with his best throw a dart between the seams to EJ Jenkins. Trotter Jr. was in coverage.
- Isaiah Rodgers had a pass break up on a Jalen Hurts ball intended for Dallas Goedert.
- Jacob Harris had a good catch with Andre Sam in coverage.
- Tanner McKee had no problem finding Britain Covey in the passing game when both were on the field.
Punt returns
Britain Covey was the first to return the team’s punt, but DeJean was also taking a look during the special teams portion of the session. Ainias Smith was watching with Covey and DeJean.
Other observations
- Mekhi Becton was at right tackle and Lane Johnson was not present. Becton might be bigger than Jordan Mailata in pads.
- Saquon Barkley lined up in the slot on one play.
- The Eagles are using the travel formation more and practicing the flat route a lot in passing drills.
Injuries
Eli Ricks left the field with a trainer and ended up returning, but didn’t practice the rest of the way. There was no noticeable limp when Ricks left, so it could have been a precaution.
