OTA's are just around the corner and although the drills will lack contact (it's May, so no pads just yet folks), it's our first real glimpse at the Eagles since the heartbreaking loss to New Orleans and there is plenty to watch. Here are ten things to keep an eye out for in OTA's over the next week or two.
Carson Wentz
Today, Ian Rapoport blessed the timelines of Eagles fans with news they've probably been wanting to hear for quite sometime now.
https://twitter.com/rapsheet/status/1130525719161974784?s=21
Doug Pederson was very quiet at rookie minicamp when asked about the progress Wentz has made this offseason, but it's encouraging to hear that the franchise quarterback should be involved in the majority of drills.
This offseason is so important for Wentz. Not just from a health perspective, but being able to work closely with Mike Groh, something he was unable to do last year, and click with the offense that is molded around his skillset once more, even OTA's carry substantial weight. It will be fun to see how Wentz clicks with all his new offensive weapons, including none other than DeSean Jackson.
Running back rotation
Jordan Howard is the new Sheriff in town but there's also a new deputy. Rookie Miles Sanders enters the fold in what is assumed to be an RB2 role, but the Penn State alum will face stiff competition.
OTA's are so important for running backs. Corey Clement took them by storm two offseasons ago, forcing himself into the rotation as an undrafted free agent. Boston Scott will be one man looking to follow in a similar path.
Wendell Smallwood could be in danger of losing a spot in the rotation despite growth in each of his three season's, with 2018 seeing a new career-high in receiving yards. The Eagles running backs have long been hampered by injury and both Smallwood and Clement will have to remain healthy throughout to really cement their claims. But this is an important offseason for both, with their future's potentially on the line.
13-personn'ello there
It's hard to take a tremendous amount away from OTA's, but now Richard Rodgers is healthy and back with the team, one has to wonder whether or not Doug Pederson will begin experimenting with three TE sets as he did in 2017. Again, the pads are off so we're a lot less likely to see offensive tendencies revealed at this stage in the offseason, but with Ertz and Goedert primed to become such a dominant tandem, finding new ways to get them both on the field as a receiver would make plenty of sense.
Secondary scrap
The Eagles secondary is littered with talent, youth, and question marks. The two starting corners (Darby and Mills) are in contract years and their starting nickel corner, Sidney Jones has struggled with health since being drafted in 2017.
Meanwhile, Rasul Douglas is now ripped after an offseason of bulking. The 2018 team-leader in interceptions was a tackling machine and now looks like 'The Mountain' from Game of Thrones....just more chiseled.
Avonte Maddox, last year's rookie sensation, started at just about every position possible in his first taste of NFL action, ranging from Safety to an eventual outside starter. Many are interested to see where the Pitt product will play. Will the Eagles move him to a slightly lighter Safety position? Or will he stay at cornerback for now? There's too much potential to be left fizzing away as a CB4/5, but is there room to win a starting role?
Also, Captain Cre'Von. That is all.
Who's healthy?
The Eagles were ripped to shreds when it came to injuries last year. From Brandon Brooks and several running backs, to Mack Hollins, the entire secondary, and just about everyone else? There was no stone left unturned by the injury bugs, but now how many players are healthy and to what capacity?
It's great hearing that Carson Wentz will be healthy and taking part in drills, but what about the 17 other players who ended the year watching from the sidelines? It will be very telling early on and could pave the way for some of the younger players to step up and make their mark.
Right guard rampage
Talking of which, the Eagles recently re-signed Stefen Wisniewski. The interior guard who was a key cog in the Eagles SB52 run returns as a likely depth piece. Seumalo has made the left guard spot his own and earned a contract extension as a result, but if Brooks is going to miss time at the start of the year, Wisniewski will be expected to start on the right.
Behind him, Matt Pryor is waiting in the wings. Just how much has he developed since being drafted one year ago? We'll get our first glimpse this week.
Nate Sudfeld and Cody Kessler
There's no real QB2 scrap, but that's easy to say when you're not standing next to a man who has started in over a full season's worth of NFL games and has started for two different teams. Sudfeld is going to feel the heat, even if his role as Wentz's backup is relatively secure.
I think this will actually be a really good way to grade Sudfeld. Seeing him go head-to-head with Kessler, a fringe-starter, for an entire offseason will show the Eagles just how ready, or not-ready, Sudfeld is to be relied upon in a crucial moment.
Defensive end competition
The Eagles lost Chris Long and Michael Bennett this offseason and while bringing back Vinny Curry was a step in replacing them, were there efforts enough? We'll begin to get a glimpse of how the new depth chart will shake out this week.
Derek Barnett and Brandon Graham are likely entrenched as the starting duo, but it's the roles behind the starters that are the key ones, knowing how much Schwartz likes to rotate his defensive linemen.
Whether it’s fourth-round selection from one year ago, Josh Sweat, one perhaps one from this year in Shareef Miller, the Eagles are going to rightfully start expecting results from their investments.
There’s naturally a lot of intrigue surrounding Miller, but the Penn State alum is still a little raw in his skillset and will take some coaching at the NFL level to develop some pass-rushing moves to add to his arsenal. It just so happens that OTA’s take place this week, giving us a firm indicator of his progress and how Phillip Daniels opts to work with him.
Competing alongside the duo will be Joe Ostman. The former Central Michigan pass-rusher had a great preseason for the Eagles last year after going undrafted, rallying to amass 9 tackles. At 6’3, 259 lbs, Ostman tallied 45.5 tackles for loss and 26 sacks during his collegiate career and his development on the practice squad has left the coaching staff purring. It’s going to take a big step up if Ostman makes the roster as the third defensive end on either side of the trench.
The defensive end battle will be a hard-fought contest that will likely come down to training camp and preseason. All players are in a position to play a factor in the upcoming season, but it’s the size of that role that will be dependent on these next few months.
The rookies
Andre Dillard, Miles Sanders, JJ Arcega-Whiteside, Shareef Miller, Clayton Thorson. Your 2019 Eagles Draft Class. All of whom (aside from Thorson, sorry Clayton) have a real chance of playing a major role in 2019.
There's a good chance that Dillard will enter OTA's as the starting left tackle, given that Jason Peters rarely shows up for the full program. While 'JJAW' and Sanders will be learning from older players on the depth chart and getting their first taste of working in an offense where both should really thrive.
Miller will have a real battle on his hands to win out a substantial role, but after a few weeks of asserting himself quite prominently on social media, it will be interesting to see if he can back it up and really turn heads in the first few OTA practices. Will he line up against Andre Dillard? That would be a fun matchup to watch...
As for Thorson, it's all about development. The Northwestern product is fresh off a wobbly rookie minicamp but will now have a little more freedom and closer coaching from his peers and Press Taylor.
Undrafted underdogs
The Eagles have become renowned for plucking gems from the undrafted crop in recent years. From Trey Burton, to Corey Clement, and Josh Adams, the Birds' have a real way of finding talent. This year should be no exception. There are some really intriguing names to take note of.
https://phillysportsnetwork.com/2019/05/09/all-you-need-to-know-eagles-officially-sign-draft-picks-and-unveil-udfas/
From T.J Edwards, to Jamalcolm Liggins, the Eagles will have a hard time keeping these hungry dogs quiet. Their journey to winning a roster spot begins this week, so expect some unlikely names to jump out in May, with momentum from rookie minicamp carrying straight over.
