The Eagles are deep into camp, and the loudest questions aren’t at quarterback anymore. The real tug-of-war is happening lower on the depth chart, where a handful of roster spots are still very much up for grabs.
At receiver, the top trio is set with DeVonta Smith, Makai Lemon and Dontayvion Wicks. After that, things get interesting fast.
Darius Cooper has been the standout of camp and looks on track to claim the No. 4 job. It would be a surprise if Philadelphia cut him loose.
That leaves Elijah Moore, Johnny Wilson and Hollywood Brown fighting for what’s left. Moore has been the more productive of the two newcomers on offense and has also been in the mix for punt return duties, which has pushed him closer to a roster spot.
Brown, meanwhile, has not matched the expectations attached to his one-year deal. Philadelphia guaranteed him $5 million this offseason, but the speed and burst that once defined his game have not shown up consistently.
He has also had trouble syncing up with Jalen Hurts and has been the intended target on three of Hurts’ interceptions.
The money makes Brown a strong bet to stick, but he is not untouchable. If the struggles continue, the Eagles could at least explore moving him for a late-round pick or another player, though that would be no easy task.
Wilson still has a path, too, because he brings more value as a depth receiver and on special teams. Brown needs a strong finish over the next two weeks to fend off both Moore and Wilson.
The cornerback race is just as unsettled. Second-year defender Mac McWilliams has started to separate himself as the leading backup on the outside, and he made another statement Thursday by jumping a Hurts pass intended for Brown and taking it away. He has been around the ball all camp.
Beyond McWilliams, the picture gets murky. Jonathan Jones, a 10-year veteran, has missed the last three practices with a shoulder injury and had not done much before that.
Experience may work in his favor, but he still has to show more. Kelee Ringo and Jakorian Bennett are both still in the hunt, though Ringo has the edge because of what he brings on special teams.
The Eagles also view Michael Carter II as both a nickel and a safety, which could affect how they classify him when sorting out the backup corners. If they keep six at the position, Jones and Ringo could be battling for the last spot.
At this point, Philadelphia would probably be wise to add another backup corner, because the depth behind the top names looks thin.
At safety, seventh-round pick Cole Wisniewski has been sidelined for the last two weeks with a hamstring injury, and that has opened the door for a pair of undrafted rookies. Kapena Gushiken and Maximus Pulley have both taken advantage of the extra reps and could have a real shot to beat Wisniewski out for the fourth safety job. Gushiken has stood out with speed and sticky coverage, while Pulley has shown a more physical, instinctive style.
The interior offensive line is another spot where camp is sorting out the pecking order. Drew Kendall appears set to be the top backup at guard and center, but the rest of the mix is still unsettled.
Willie Lampkin, despite being listed at 5-foot-11 and 290 pounds, has won most of his one-on-ones and keeps flashing strength and athleticism in team drills. He looks more likely than not to make the roster.
Jake Majors has also stayed in the mix, taking second-team reps at both guard and center all summer. Then there’s sixth-round rookie Micah Morris, who has impressed since coming back from a shoulder injury.
His size at 6-foot-5, 334 pounds and his movement skills have stood out enough that the Eagles could choose him over Majors or Lampkin.
That group may ultimately be trimmed down to two. Like several other spots on the roster, the final call looks headed for the preseason games.
In Other News...
These Eagles Are Already Shaking Up The Roster Battle
The early weeks of Eagles training camp have already started to sort out a few of the roster races that will carry into the preseason opener. Several players, both rookies and veterans, have made strong impressions in practice and given coaches plenty to think about as Philadelphia keeps trimming down the depth chart.
What stands out is how quickly some of these players have moved from camp bodies to legitimate factors in their position battles. Development has been part of the story, but so has the consistency and attention they have drawn from coaches and analysts alike, which is exactly the kind of momentum that can change how a roster looks before the games start to count. [Read more 🡒]
Saquon Barkley Just Created An Eagles Camp Concern
Saquon Barkley gave the Eagles a jolt at training camp on a day when he otherwise looked sharp in drills, only for his workout to take an awkward turn when trainers came over to check on him. His cleat even came off during the examination, a small but unsettling scene for a player Philadelphia is leaning on as it settles into a new offensive system and gets ready for its preseason opener.
Barkley stayed on the field, and the team has not said anything publicly about a diagnosis or suggested the issue is serious. Still, any time a key back gets looked at by trainers in camp, it becomes part of the monitoring process, especially with the season ramping up and the Eagles trying to keep their key pieces on track. [Read more 🡒]
Eagles Preseason Opener Could Shift Two Key Battles Fast
The preseason opener against Baltimore is shaping up less like a dress rehearsal and more like a first true roster checkpoint for Philadelphia. Nick Sirianni has kept the plan close to the vest, while a group of younger players and fringe contributors is expected to get the kind of snaps that can change how the rest of August looks. Rookie quarterback Cole Payton, fullback-running back Carson Steele and tight end Eli Stowers are among the names likely to be under the spotlight, giving the Eagles an early look at who can turn camp momentum into something more concrete.
Vic Fangios side of the conversation may wind up mattering just as much, especially with the competition in the secondary starting to sharpen. Marcus Epps and Michael Carter are still jockeying for position, and the opener could help clarify who is truly pressing for a bigger role. Add in the steady camp progress from Byron Young, Mac McWilliams and Jakorian Bennett, and the first preseason game already carries more weight than a typical August tune-up. [Read more 🡒]