Philly Front Office

Training camp has started and all is again right with the world. The Super Bowl champs have a lot of continuity, especially on offense, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t some positions still up for grabs. Let’s take a look at certain battles so we have something to focus on for the next month.

OFFENSE

RG1 – Tyler Steen v. Kenyon Green

• Steen was the presumptive starter last season before a camp injury gave Mekhi Becton a chance to shine. He goes into this season with the position his to lose. The former 3rd round pick is entering his 3rd season.
• Kenyon Green came over in the CJGJ trade from the Houston Texans. He started some and struggled in his first season, missed all of his sophomore year, then was hurt again last season. He has a 1st round pedigree but that hasn’t meant much so far in the league. I’ve heard him described as a ball of clay that hasn’t been sculpted yet. You have to assume that if he can’t make it here, he can’t make it anywhere.

TE2 – Grant Calcaterra v. Kylen Granson v. Harrison Bryant v. The Field

• Calcaterra did a solid job when Dallas Goedert went down last year, but was obviously not a focal point of the offense. He is in the final year of his contract, so it is his time to shine or move on after the season.
• Kylen Granson was brought in from the Colts when it looked like Dallas Goedert wasn’t going to come back. He is more known for his rush blocking, but found some success in the Colts offense in 2022 and 23 despite not what you would call consistent QB play.
• Bryant came from the Raiders after 4 years in Cleveland. As TE3 in Vegas, he did not get to do very much, but was previously a versatile player for the Browns. Not only is he a good blocker, but caught 10 TDs in his 4 Cleveland years while also lining up as the designated short yardage QB…not that we would have use for anyone with that kind of experience.
• It is very possible that another tight end shakes loose from an organization and the Eagles pounce. Noah Fant, for example, was just released by Seattle. One of Granson or Bryant could make the team as a blocking TE3 with the back up pass catcher still on another roster.

WR4 – Johnny Wilson v. Ainias Smith v. Terrace Marshall Jr.

• Johnny Wilson is an incredibly big target (look at his spider chart) that you have to assume will eventually become a tight end. He was here last season and has some repour with Jalen Hurts, but he just doesn’t have a position. He is too tall for the slot and too slow for the outside. Embrace the TE baby!
• Ainias Smith reminds me too much of Jalen Reagor in that he is supposed to be fast, but simply isn’t fast. Inexplicably the Eagles designed him up some touches last year of which he did nothing with. Combine that lack of football skill and you get a guy who might not make the roster.
• Terrace (Not Terrance) Marshall has ideal size and speed to be an outside receiver, someone to come in and actually provide some kind of use rather than just running wind sprints. Wait, so why has he bounced around 4 organizations in 4 years? Well, his knock is that he is great in practice and not in games. We’ll see if that is past him now that he is 25 and probably on his last shot

Developmental Tackle – Myles Hinton v. Cameron Williams v. Hollin Pierce

• Myles Hinton will probably make the team as a swing tackle because of a lack of team depth. As the heir apparent to Lane Johnson though, that’s different. Despite having the experience and polish, he does not have the size or quickness of the other two.
• Cameron Williams probably should not have left Texas after last season but he took a chance. The Eagles see enough of what you can’t teach (size) to enroll him in Stoutand University. The plan is to get this guy using his natural gifts the right way as soon as possible. As a Texas recruit, he has more experience against more talented competition than Pierce
• Hollin Pierce is 6’8″ and 350 pounds. He may be more naturally large and talented than the other two, but he is much farther from being game ready. Whereas Williams could probably take a few snaps in a game and not fall apart, Pierce might get someone hurt. If they keep all of these guys, expect Pierce to make the practice squad and Williams to make the team

DEFENSE

Outside Corner #2 – Kelee Ringo v. Eli Ricks v. Adoree Jackson v. Mac McWilliams

• The Eagles really want Ringo to win this job. He is smart, fast, and 2 years younger than you think he is. It just hasn’t all come together on the field yet. The job is his to lose, but he might get a quick hook if one of the young guys shows out
• Eli Ricks has been here seemingly forever, but it is only his 3rd year. He seems just good enough to keep things interesting, but not someone you really want to be taking a legit amount of snaps
• Adoree Jackson is entering his 9th year in the league and at 29 I believe is the oldest man on the defense (that’s nuts). He was brought in to be a stable presence in the DB room just in case none of these younger guys make it. The hope is that that isn’t necessary.
• Mac McWilliams seems like a small but fast DB that had no business being drafted based on traits…except he might be a steal. He plays much bigger, faster, and smarter than his measurements show and is an analytics darling. He’s basically the total opposite of Ainias Smith. I’m hoping he’s the guy everyone is talking about in 2 weeks.

S2 – Andrew Mukuba v. Sydney Brown

• A lot is riding on Mukuba to not make this much of a battle at all. If he can seize the position and become an impact player it will solidify an already dominant defense for years to come. He comes highly recommended by basically everyone who is ever met him. He is the epitome of high character, high IQ players that define the team.
• The same cannot be said for Brown. He definitely tries incredibly hard and is very athletic, but he is more likely to run through a wall than realize there’s a door close by. Even though that seems like a fan favorite in the making, it is not the kind of virtue that thrives under Vic Fangio. He needs to get himself under control without losing what makes him special. That’s not easy

LB2 – Jihaad Campbell v. Nakobe Dean

• This is not a training camp battle but it is the most interesting year long decision on the team.
• Instead of starting the year sidelined due to his shoulder, Campbell was out there with his teammates yesterday. No one knows if he is going to be used more as a pass rusher or a traditional Zack Baun style Vic Fangio linebacker. If he is, that could mean Nakobe Dean is not resigned.
• Dean is still hurt and had to take the Campbell pick as a wake up call. He finally broke out last year and he’s immediately in trouble. If Campbell gets lost in coverage and becomes more of a Micah Parsons type edge rusher, then Dean should be okay. However, if Campbell can be what he was at Alabama but in the pros, he might struggle for playing time once he’s healthy.