5 bold predictions for the Eagles this season

The 18-week gauntlet that is the NFL regular season gets underway and the Eagles will have a huge target on their back as they begin their quest to return to the Super Bowl. Here are six bold predictions this season:

A.J. Brown proves he is the best wide receiver in the league

Early in the summer, Brown stated that this season he wants to show he is the top wideout in the NFL and looking to "put a stamp on it."

Last season, the Eagles relied heavily on the run for good reason. Despite that, Brown still put up his third straight 1,000-yard season to go with seven touchdowns all while missing four games in the regular season.

On top of that, Brown bested Ja'Mar Chase and Justin Jefferson in drop rate, yards per route, yards per target and success rate. With teams trying to ensure they bottle up Saquon Barkley this season, the Eagles could very well be looking to throw the ball more, in turn create more opportunities for Brown to put up big numbers this season.

Brown will have his first 1,500-yard season, lead the league in fewest dropped passes while scoring a career-best 12 touchdowns.

Jalen Hurts wins MVP

Hurts took home the Super Bowl MVP and now he will win the regular season version in 2025. This goes hand in hand with the thought that the Eagles could be passing the ball more with teams trying to stymy Barkley. Hurts put on a clinic in the Super Bowl when the Chiefs neutralized the rushing game and will do so more than not this season.

The runner-up for the league MVP in 2022, Hurts is accurate with his deep throws and with weapons like Barkley, Brown, DeVonta Smith, Dallas Goedert and an expected larger role for Jahan Dotson who worked out with the quarterback in Houston this summer, the QB will throw for 4,000 yards while rushing for a new-career high 800 and account for 35 total touchdowns.

Will Shipley will have bigger role than expected

If there is any running back and offensive line combo that could potentially produce back-to-back 2,000 yard rushing seasons, it's the one in Philadelphia. However, the Eagles can rely on Will Shipley and A.J. Dillon to take over some of the carries this season. Barkley ran the ball a career-high 345. There is not a need to carry the football as much this season.

Shipley showed flashes of his big playmaking ability in the limited time he played last year, including in the NFC Championship game against the Commanders. The fourth-round pick out of Clemson last season had 526 career carries in three seasons with the Tigers racking up 2,747 yards and 31 touchdowns. He had just 30 as a rookie last year. Expect that number to at least double in 2025.

Jihaad Campbell wins Defensive Rookie of the Year

The linebacker out of Alabama was considered to be a top-10 pick in this year's draft, but some potential health issues scared teams. Because of that, he slid all the way down to pick No. 31 after Philadelphia swapped with Kansas City to ensure they would not snag him.

Campbell has been impressive during training camp and has been given a lot to digest because of his ability according to Vic Fangio. The explosive and athletic linebacker will continue to learn alongside Zack Baun and become the team's first-ever Defensive Rookie of the Year.

Jahan Dotson will provide Eagles with a third legit receiving threat

The former 16th overall pick back in 2022 has not had the start to his career many were envisioning after a standout career at Penn State. This season, Dotson puts it all together in year four proving to be a reliable option for Hurts in the passing attack.

Last season, he joined the Eagles in the last week of preseason and had to play catch up learning the offense. Now with a full offseason and training camp under his belt, Dotson will become another trusted option with the rapport he built with Hurts down in Houston this summer and in training camp.

Dotson did score the first touchdown in Super Bowl LIX on a long connection with Hurts. The wideout will finish the season with a career-best 650 yards receiving and five touchdowns.