Caleb Harris
PHILADELPHIA – The Philadelphia Eagles hit the practice field at the NovaCare Complex on Monday as they begin the first of six OTA practices over the next two weeks. During Phase 3 of the offseason training program, Eagles players will do some on-field work (these are voluntary workouts) before the team has a mandatory minicamp from June 4-6 – the first mandatory minicamp under Nick Sirianni.
The first fully open practice won’t take place until mandatory minicamp, but reporters will get a preview of what’s to come with some of the OTA practices open to the media over the next two weeks.
Here’s what to look for as the Eagles take the field. Training camp is just two months away:
The Eagles invested heavily in the cornerback position during the draft, drafting Quinyon Mitchell in the first round (No. 22 overall) and Cooper DeJean in the second (No. 40). While DeJean can move to safety, there is a logjam of good players at cornerback.
Darius Slay is locked into one of the starting positions, but what about the No. 2 cornerback? Mitchell is certainly a candidate to start Day 1 on the outside, but the Eagles also have Kelee Ringo, Eli Ricks, Josh Jobe and Isaiah Rodgers competing for that role.
Then there’s Bradberry, who is still on the roster but the Eagles can designate him as a post-June 1 cut and owes nothing against the salary cap. Bradberry’s contract would have a cap hit of $4.305 million, but the Eagles could simply eat the money if the 31-year-old isn’t in the team’s plans for a 2024 start.
Bradberry is not a special player and would earn a lot to be a backup. If Bradberry isn’t a starter, it would be a surprise to see him in OTAs if he wants his future figured out by the team as quickly as possible.
Who starts at right guard? Who is the backup?
Tyler Steen is set to get first-team reps at right guard to begin OTAs, which will last through the summer. Will Steen remain there or will the Eagles consider another player on the roster at that point on the line?
Cam Jurgens moved to center to replace the retired Jason Kelce, creating a hole at right guard. Enter Steen, who didn’t have a great debut at guard last season, allowing five pressures on 39 pass-blocking snaps (12.8% pressure per dropback rate). In his only start at right guard (Week 9 vs. Dallas Cowboys), Steen allowed a 15.6% pressure per putback rate.
Matt Hennessy has starting experience at center and was supposed to be the starting left guard for the Atlanta Falcons last season before a knee injury sidelined him for the year. The versatile Hennessy provides good interior offensive line depth, but will be considered for the vacant right guard spot if Steen stumbles. He will be ready after recovering from a knee injury.
Steen and Hennessy are expected to get the first looks at right guard. Free agent addition Mekhi Becton is not being considered as a guard for now, but will be a name to watch later this summer.
And the WR3?
Parris Campbell is expected to get the first look at “11 players,” based on his aptitude as a slot receiver on offense (the Eagles have had the outside locked up for years with AJ Brown and DeVonta Smith). Britain Covey could also get a look at the job, as he received praise from quarterback Jalen Hurts and others on offense last year. Fifth-round rookie Ainias Smith could also get some looks with the first team, which is the goal of these OTA practices.
DeVante Parker is best suited as an outside receiver as a depth piece behind Brown and Smith. The other free agent signing is wide receiver and he will fight for his spot on the roster this summer.
Starting LBs?
Nakobe Dean will take over Mike’s linebacker role after his first season as a starter was derailed by injury. The Eagles will give Dean every opportunity to be the starting Mike as long as he stays healthy.
Free agent signing Devin White is the favorite for the other starting job, as a change of scenery could benefit White as he tries to resurrect his NFL career. The Eagles could take advantage of White’s aggressiveness, but they need him to be more patient when making plays in Vic Fangio’s defense.
Where Zack Baun plays adds another wrinkle, as Fangio thinks he could be an off-ball linebacker. Could Baun unseat White over the summer? How does free agent Oren Burks — a special teams guru — fit into the mix? What about Ben VanSumeren, who played well when given the opportunity last season?
Then there’s Jeremiah Trotter Jr., who already has a lot of excitement about being the son of an Eagles legend. How quickly can Trotter get used to the image?
This linebacker battle will be under the microscope all summer.
