With the 2026 season only about a week and a half away, the Philadelphia Eagles are getting ready for their opener against the Washington Commanders. The big names are already known.
The stars are set. But every team has a few players who can sneak up and become far more important than people expect.
For the Eagles, there are four guys who could do exactly that.
Smael Mondon Jr. is one of the most intriguing names to watch. Jeremiah Trotter Jr. is set for a larger role on defense, which could open the door for Mondon to contribute more on special teams.
He wrapped up the preseason with eight tackles and showed better tackling along with improved speed when chasing down ball carriers. With four linebackers on the roster, there’s also a real chance he works his way into the rotation.
Jordan Davis already labeled him the sleeper defensive player in training camp, and that kind of praise is hard to ignore.
Ty Robinson is another player who has already given the Eagles plenty to like. He recorded three sacks in three preseason games, and that alone points to a breakout kind of season.
Robinson also added multiple quarterback hits and tackles for loss, backing up the idea that his confidence is rising. The second-year defender has been using his size to overwhelm offensive linemen and make life miserable in both the passing game and the run game.
The buzz around him has been loud since training camp, and he’s shown he can be a real difference-maker.
A.J. Epenesa arrived just before training camp with no clear read on what his role might become.
That changed once he started stacking solid practices and showing the kind of pass-rush ability he built with the Buffalo Bills. Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio spoke highly of him and what he did in camp.
There’s also some uncertainty around Jonathan Greenard and his health, plus questions about whether Nolan Smith Jr. can play well, and that could create a path for Epenesa to surprise people.
The last name in the mix is Cooper, who could end up with a much bigger season in 2026. He’s been praised by Jalen Hurts time and time again, and his role could grow even more if Makai Lemon struggles. If that happens, Eagles fans may be looking at one of the season’s biggest surprises.
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Philadelphia has also spent the summer sorting out which members of the class can help immediately on special teams and which ones are still more developmental pieces. That makes this stretch important for the front office as much as the coaching staff, because the answers on this class could shape not just the current rotation but the way the Eagles build out the roster in the seasons ahead. [Read more 🡒]