The Eagles don’t have many true camp competitions at the top of the depth chart, but a few veterans are still walking into preseason with something to prove. Most starting spots are already spoken for in Philadelphia, which means the real drama is less about filling the roster and more about holding off challengers who want a bigger role.
At safety, the job next to Andrew Mukuba is there to be won. Epps is set to open camp as the starter, and for now he’s the favorite to keep it.
Vic Fangio sounded encouraged by what he saw from Epps in May, saying, "I was pleasantly surprised," said Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio on Epps in May. "Maybe surprised is the wrong word because I just really didn't know him.
But when he had to play last year, he came in and showed his experience, showed his instincts that he has for the game. I was pleased with the way he played last year.
"I wasn't considering him an old player at this point, but he's obviously a veteran. I think he'll do fine. I'm not sure what his injury history has been, but I think if he stays injury-free and if he wins the job, we'll be fine."
That’s the opening at the spot, and the Eagles are comfortable rolling with Epps if he earns it. Still, the door is open for an outside move, which keeps the pressure on him. In the end, this one comes down to how he performs once camp gets rolling.
The receiver room has its own battle, with Wicks entering as the front runner for the WR2 role. He’s the only top-four wideout on the roster with experience working with Sean Mannion on the coaching staff, and that gives him a head start as the Eagles look for more production behind the top option.
Makai Lemon missed time in camp with a hamstring injury, which cost him valuable reps with Jalen Hurts. Hollywood Brown also made a strong enough impression in the spring to stay in the mix.
Wicks is getting the first crack at the job, and the Eagles are giving him a real runway to claim it by Week 1. The trade and the contract make that clear - he’s on a long leash, with a $12.5 million deal for 2027 attached to the move.
But this isn’t locked up. Lemon could change the picture fast if he puts together a big camp and proves he can consistently catch the ball, which is an area where Wicks has had issues.
If Lemon adjusts quickly to the NFL, this competition could stretch deep into the season. At that point, it starts to feel less like a battle for a starting job and more like a fight for snaps.
Up front, Hunt is beginning camp as the first-team pass rusher opposite Jonathan Greenard, and that’s not a small thing. Greenard isn’t coming off the field much, so the other edge spot matters. Hunt earned that first-team look after a strong season, one that included 52 tackles, 24 quarterback hits, three pass breakups, and a 16.9% pressure rate in 17 games.
He also took another step once the Eagles added Jaelen Phillips. From Weeks 10-17, the stretch Phillips played, Hunt posted 5.5 sacks, 16 quarterback hits, two interceptions, a forced fumble, and a 16.8% pressure rate.
Fangio liked the trajectory in May, saying, "Just keep doing what he's doing," said Fangio in May. "He's had a nice progression.
I see him growing his game in all aspects. I think he can and will rush better.
He'll play the run better. It's just the natural progression.
He's had a good progression.
"I think he's just ready to keep getting better and better."
Hunt is the favorite to start over Nolan Smith, but Smith should still get chances to play. If Smith outperforms Hunt over the summer, the Eagles will have a decision to make. For Smith, camp is the chance to answer an offseason that hasn’t gone the way he wanted by letting his play do the talking.
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