During a quiet period on the NFL calendar in late June, I asked questions about each position group on the Eagles roster (both offensive and defensive).
Now, a few months later, after a long training camp and a robust preseason, it’s a good time to revisit these very questions heading into the 2024 season.
Got any answers? Still have questions?
Let’s take a look:
Quarterback: Can the new coaching staff get the most out of Jalen Hurts?
The early results are positive. The Eagles’ offense looked unfinished throughout the spring, and Hurts clearly looked like a quarterback who was still learning. But the franchise quarterback had a great summer and arguably the best training camp of his career. What was most impressive was his control of a new offensive line led by Kellen Moore and Doug Nussmeyer.
Last season, Hurts threw 15 interceptions and needed to cut them down. By now, you’ve probably heard that Hurts didn’t throw an interception until the 16th and final practice of training camp over the summer. After Darius Slay intercepted him, Hurts told him, “Finally.” If Hurts had just been dinking and dunking to avoid getting the ball in camp, he wasn’t averse to risks. There were more checkdowns this summer, but Hurts still pushed the ball and took advantage of opportunities. He seems to be in rhythm with this new offensive line, which bodes well for the regular season.
Running back: Can Saquon Barkley bounce back?
Barkley played well over the summer, but he wasn’t amazing in practice. We likely won’t know what he’s really capable of until games start and people try to tackle him. One of the main reasons the Eagles wanted a player like Barkley was his ability to run through contact, and that’s something you’re never going to see in a “thud” practice in August.
Barkley didn’t have a particularly impressive training camp, but he made all the plays you’d expect and looked different when receiving handoffs than the rest of the team’s running backs. Barkley is efficient and is the Eagles’ best running back in pass protection.
Receivers: Who will be the WR3?
It took a long time to find the answer, but now we know that the job belongs to Jahan Dotson. General manager Howie Roseman acquired the former first-round pick in an intra-division trade with the Commanders last week. He joins a team with the potential to be an elite offensive line behind AJ Brown and DeVonta Smith. The 24-year-old Dotson had a solid season in Washington, but clearly didn’t live up to his first-round draft potential. With the Eagles, that won’t be the case. Dotson is working hard to learn the new offense and prepare for the team’s Sept. 6 matchup with Brazil.
Before the trade, it was clear the Eagles didn’t have a third man in mind — Parris Campbell, John Ross, Johnny Wilson and Britten Covey were contenders, but no one stood out. That led to the trade.
Tight ends: Who will win the backup job?
The answer came pretty early in training camp. Dallas Goedert’s backup is Grant Calcaterra. The third-year tight end began camp as the No. 2 tight end and was not contested for the position. A 2022 sixth-round pick, Calcaterra was known for his pass-catching ability coming out of college, but he has developed as a blocker over the years and is still working on that part of his game. Calcaterra didn’t even have to play in the final preseason game. He got the veteran treatment.
The bigger question is about the TE3 job. Veteran CJ Uzomah had a disappointing training camp and was waived before the final practice of the summer. EJ Jenkins performed well in training camp but there’s a chance he won’t make the team either. The Eagles may also be scouring the waiver wire after final cuts.
INTERIOR OL: How will the Eagles replace Jason Kelce?
The answer was already known back in June. It was clear that Cam Jurgens would be the center, but the question was more how he would handle everything that entails. Jurgens had played the role in training camp. It’s not easy to replace a legend, but Jurgens was drafted in the second round a few years ago with this exact moment in mind. There’s no reason to think he won’t do well.
It’s worth noting that Jurgens and Jalen Hurts will share pre-snap check responsibilities, which is where Kelce’s experience really shines, but Hurts is excited to take on more of the responsibility.
Offensive tackle: Is Mekhi Becton a swing tackle?
No. I asked this question when Tyler Steen was going to be the Eagles’ right guard, but things have changed. Steen injured his ankle on the third day of camp and Becton took his place, but Becton has yet to relinquish the position. Becton is now the Eagles’ right guard for the 2024 season, sitting between Jurgens and Lane Johnson. Becton went from being a sixth man to being a starter in a position he’d never played before.
The switch is good news for veteran Fred Johnson, who now appears to be the top backup offensive tackle. Steen has missed even more time with an ankle injury, but he also has a tackle background. And now that Steen is not a starter, he has to be ready to play multiple positions if the time comes.
Defensive tackle: Are Georgia’s players ready to step up?
We certainly saw good signs with Jalen Carter and Jordan Davis this summer. They look like they are poised for big seasons, but we’re not sure yet. There is no question about Carter’s ability to be an All-Pro. He is the most important piece of the defense in 2024. If Carter plays at the same level he did in the summer, he’ll have a monster season.
Davis has been good this summer, but he needs to keep it that way. In Vic Fangio’s defense, Davis will be asked to play more snaps, and his fitness has been in question for some time. So far, it’s been good, but he needs to be at his best in December.
Edge rushers: Are the Eagles ready to fill Haason Reddick’s shoes?
The Eagles edge rushers have the unenviable task of going toe-to-toe with Lane Johnson and Jordan Mailata throughout training camp. That led to some quiet moments for the starters this summer. But against the Patriots, Bryce Huff really shone. And when Johnson missed a day of camp, Josh Sweat had three sacks in one practice. Huff and Sweat need to be the primary edge rushers, but the reserves need to perform as well.
It’s worth noting that Nolan Smith played late in the third preseason game. He’s a second-year first-round draft pick, and getting more production out of him in Year 2 would be a big boost for the Eagles. Smith flashed flashes again, but it’s unclear how much they can actually rely on him. 15th-year player Brandon Graham had a good summer, as did rookie Jarix Hunt, but he may not be as big a project as initially thought.
Linebacker: Who will be the starter behind Devin White?
In 15 of the 16 practices this summer, the starting linebacker combination of the day was Devin White and Zach Baun. But the Eagles then used a truly diverse mix of players, including Nakobe Dean and rookie Jeremiah Trotter Jr. Dean had the best training camp of his NFL career and has worked hard to earn a starting position. While some of the other competition became really clear during training camp, the linebacker battle is harder to predict.
Fangio doesn’t seem entirely opposed to some kind of rotation at off-ball linebacker, but made it clear that settling on two players here would be more ideal.
Cornerbacks: Who will win the CB2 and NCB jobs?
The answer to both questions appears to be rookie Quinion Mitchell. The Eagles developed Mitchell well during training camp, first on the second team defense, then as a first team nickel, and finally as a starter on the outside. Going into the 2024 season, it looks like Mitchell will play on the outside in the base package and on the inside on nickel downs. This role for Mitchell means he will never leave the field as a rookie. Playing two spots is a tough job, but Mitchell has been a force in training camp and has a bright future ahead of him. He showed a lot when playing against AJ Brown and DeVonta Smith.
With Mitchell playing inside on nickel downs, Isaiah Rodgers seems most likely to get the outside playing time over Kelly Lingo. The two had a fun rivalry all summer, with Rodgers consistently getting more first-team minutes.
Safety: Will CJGJ be the spark they’ve been missing?
It was fun watching CJ Gardner-Johnson practice every day. He brings energy and sharpness to the defense, and that was on full display during training camp. Whether he was dancing between drills or badmouthing opposing players on offense, it was hard to miss Gardner-Johnson on the field.
Of course, Gardner-Johnson’s No. 1 priority is playing at a high level as a safety — and he did that this summer — but he’s playing with an edge that could be a big boost if he uses it correctly.
Special Teams: Who is the return man?
The Eagles acquired a number of players with punt return experience this offseason, but Britten Covey remains their best option. The trade for Dotson cost Covey some offensive exposure, but he was one of the best punt returners in the NFL last season and will get another chance in 2024.
As for the new kickoff, the Eagles have tried different combinations with the two returners. They seem to prefer a running back for this role because the play sets up like a run. We’ve seen Kenny Gainwell and Will Shipley, as well as others like Rodgers and Campbell, compete on the kickoff. My guess is that one of these top-tier running backs will get a chance.
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