Eagles OTAs: 5 biggest battles for starting jobs, key roles begin at these positions
PHILADELPHIA − It's foolhardy to get carried away with anything that transpires during the Eagles' organized team activities that begin May 27.
After all, the players are in shells and shorts, and the first game is still more than three months away.
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Yet there are still things that the Eagles can learn about themselves, and some of those things could be vital towards repeating as Super Bowl champions.
The Eagles are doing all of this in a shortened window. Most teams will have 10 OTA sessions over three weeks, plus a three-day mandatory minicamp the week of June 16 before going on break until the start of training camp in late July.
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The Eagles, conversely, are holding only six OTA sessions − three each the week of May 26 and June 2 − and just one mandatory minicamp session on June 10.
That's understandable. The Eagles' season didn't end until the Super Bowl on Feb. 9, a month after 18 non-playoff teams ended their seasons.
And that shortened spring schedule is helpful for veteran players like running back Saquon Barkley, who had by far the biggest workload of his career in 2024 with 482 touches, including playoffs. That was 105 more touches than his previous career high, set in 2022.
That's also true for most of the Eagles' starters.
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But the spring OTAs are valuable in that they provide an opportunity for the younger players to at least make their case for a role on the 2025 team. And surprisingly for a Super Bowl champion, there are many of these jobs up for grabs.
Here, then, are 5 key battles that will begin during the spring OTAs:
Sydney Brown #21 of the Philadelphia Eagles reacts after forcing a fumble in the first quarter of a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Lincoln Financial Field on Nov. 3, 2024, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Safety: Sydney Brown vs. Drew Mukuba
When the Eagles traded C.J. Gardner-Johnson to Houston in March, Eagles GM Howie Roseman made it a point to say that Brown, the Eagles' third-round draft pick in 2023, would get the first crack at the safety spot. Roseman added that Brown hasn't really had a chance to prove himself, mainly because of a torn ACL suffered in the 2023 regular-season finale.
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Then the Eagles drafted Mukuba at the end of the second round in April. A strong OTA for Mukuba will put the heat on Brown when training camp starts in late July. If both are underwhelming, expect the Eagles to go after a veteran free agent, such as Justin Simmons.
Defensive back Cooper DeJean (33) and cornerback Kelee Ringo (22) take part in warmups with defensive tackle Thomas Booker as the Philadelphia Eagles work out in preparation for the Super Bowl at the NovaCare Complex in Philadelphia on Friday, Jan. 31, 2025.
Cornerback: Kelee Ringo vs. Cooper DeJean vs. Mac McWilliams
The situation at safety is similar to outside cornerback after the Eagles released veteran Darius Slay, who then signed with the Steelers. Like Brown, Ringo was a 2023 draft pick (fourth round) who hasn't had many opportunities.
But the Eagles could also try DeJean on the outside even though he played so well last year in the nickel spot. That would open up the nickel spot for McWilliams, the Eagles' fifth-round pick, or possibly Mukuba if the Eagles are comfortable with Brown at safety.
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For now, all of the options are on the table. That's when Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio will begin mixing and matching to find his top five defensive backs.
Philadelphia Eagles guard Tyler Steen (R) and offensive tackle Fred Johnson (50) run drills during practice at Novacare Complex on Aug 3, 2023, in Philadelphia.
Right guard: Tyler Steen vs. Kenyon Green vs. Drew Kendall
For the second year in a row, Steen went into the offseason as the favorite to win the starting right guard spot. And for the second year in a row, the Eagles brought in competition. Last year, it was Mekhi Becton, who had never played guard until trying it during mandatory minicamp, then winning the job in training camp.
This year, the Eagles acquired Green, the Texans' first-round pick in 2022, in the trade for Gardner-Johnson. Green had been a disappointment in Houston, but perhaps a chance to play in between center Cam Jurgens and right tackle Lane Johnson will change that.
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In addition, fifth-round pick Drew Kendall, a center, could put himself in the mix with a strong camp. And there's also veteran Matt Pryor, who has played both guard and tackle during his career.
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Linebacker: Smael Mondon vs. Jeremiah Trotter
It's very possible that Nakobe Dean (knee) and first-round pick Jihaad Campbell (shoulder) won't be available for OTAs, and that could last into training camp. That means two draft picks − fifth-round pick Smael Mondon and 2024 fifth-round pick Jeremiah Trotter Jr. − will get the first shot at playing next to Zack Baun.
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Trotter got into a few games last season, mostly in mop-up situations. Veteran Oren Burks ended up replacing Dean when he tore his patellar tendon in the playoffs against Green Bay. Burks left in free agency. Mondon replaced Dean at Georgia after the Eagles drafted Dean in 2022.
Even if Dean and/or Campbell are ready for Week 1, Mondon and Trotter will at least have an opportunity in the spring to make an impression.
Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Ainias Smith (82) returns a punt as Baltimore Ravens tight end Mike Rigerman (35) defends during the second half of a preseason game at M&T Bank Stadium on Aug 9, 2024, in Baltimore.
Wide receiver: Ainias Smith vs Johnny Wilson vs. Terrace Marshall
We know the top three wide receiver spots are going to A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith and Jahan Dotson. The spots behind them, however, are up for grabs. Wilson, who's 6-foot-6, 231 pounds, presents a big target. But both he and Smith had their ups and downs as rookies. Marshall, meanwhile, was a second-round pick of the Carolina Panthers who never lived up to his billing.
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At the very least, Marshall, who had 490 yards receiving in 2022, can push one or both of them for a roster spot. Don't overlook Danny Gray, a third-round pick of the 49ers in 2022, who spent last season on the Eagles' practice squad.
Contact Martin Frank at mfrank@delawareonline.com. Follow on X @Mfranknfl. Read his coverage of the Eagles' championship season in 'Flying High,' a new hardcover coffee-table book from Delaware Online/The News Journal. Details at Fly.ChampsBook.com
This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Eagles OTAs: 5 biggest battles begin for starting jobs, key roles
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