The doldrums of late June and early July are now behind us with training camp getting underway on Tuesday for the Philadelphia Eagles with players reporting to the Jefferson Health Training Complex. The team will take the field on Wednesday and Thursday and daily updates will be swirling on social media.
The Eagles return a strong returning nucleus, but Howie Roseman was busy signing free agents, making trades and putting together a draft class that could play a big role especially on offense.
Here are five newcomers who can have the most potential impact this season.
It has been quite some time since the Eagles had a true burner who can stretch the field. Brown provides that threat, although he is not the same weapon he was back in 2021 where he had 91 catches ranking 14th in the league and 1,0008 yards which put him just outside the top 25 that season (26th).
Nonetheless, the veteran comes into training camp looking to push rookie Makai Lemon in the slot receiver role. After a two-year stint with the Chiefs where he had 58 catches for 678 yards and five touchdowns in 18 games, he looks to develop a rapport with Jalen Hurts who has had success connecting on down field passes in his career.
If Brown can still prove he can take the top off a defense during games, that can open up a lot for this new-look offense.
This year’s draft class was heavily focused on the offense with the first five picks being on that side of the ball. Bell was the team’s third-round pick and eighth tackle chosen in the draft. He already made an early impression during OTAs, getting first team reps and could potentially find himself as the frontrunner for the swing tackle position, supplanting Fred Johnson.
At 6-foot-9, 346 pounds, Bell is a massive lineman who did not allow a sack in 558 pass block snaps with Miami. He could see himself on the field sooner than later with a good showing in training camp and in the preseason.
After being unable to re-sign Jaelan Phillips, Roseman and the Eagles had to pivot to land another pass rusher. Insert Greenard. The Eagles made a draft night trade with the Vikings to land the star linebacker, sending two third round picks, including the No. 98 pick in April’s draft and next year’s third rounder.
The Eagles then inked Greenard to a four-year, $100 million extension with half of the money being guaranteed. The 28-year-old will be under the microscope as a big ticket addition.
Last season, was injury plagued for the former Viking and Texan. He had just three sacks in 12 games, but his pressure rate of 13.5% ranked seventh in the NFL. The Eagles are banking that Greenard will return to his 2024 status where he racked up 12 sacks that season earning a Pro Bowl selection.
The expectations set for the first-round rookie wideout might be too lofty. That’s not a knock on Lemon and his skillset. But the Eagles plan to replace a perennial 1,000-yard receiver in A.J. Brown by committee, led by the 20th overall pick automatically puts a ton of pressure and expectations on Lemon who will operate in the slot.
Lemon dealt with a hamstring injury forcing him to miss most of OTAs, so all eyes will be on the Fred Biletnikoff Award winner all throughout training camp and his connection with Hurts.
It looks like the rookie spent time working out with his new quarterback in Texas spending the down time between OTAs and training camp productively.
Outside of Lemon, Woolen perhaps has the most hype and excitement surrounding any player on the roster. After impressing during the two media attended OTA sessions earlier in the summer, Woolen’s freakish athleticism has fans and media wondering about the possibility of the team having the best 1-2 cornerback combination in the league alongside All-Pro Quinyon Mitchell. Don’t forget about Cooper DeJean in the slot.
Woolen has to show he can play a cleaner brand of football after struggling with costly penalties and losing playing time in Seattle. However, the physical traits are there. Playing on a prove it one-year deal, Woolen and the Eagles might be a perfect marriage with both parties benefitting.
