The voluntary portion is complete and now the Philadelphia Eagles will begin their mandatory minicamp this week after concluding OTA last Thursday with a team bowling trip. This week will be the final team the Eagles will meet as a group on the field before the transition to training camp in July.
Eagles fans can breathe a sigh of relief, with the news that Malcolm Jenkins is reportedly expected to be in attendance for this week’s minicamp while reportedly pursuing a pay raise. Alshon Jeffery, Lane Johnson, and Jason Peters are expected to be in attendance as well after missing OTAs.
With the excitement level picking up, here are four things to watch:
1. Will Malcolm Jenkins practice?
With the news that Jenkins will be in attendance, the question has to be asked, will the Eagles star safety practice? Jenkins is seeking a new deal or a raise and could have just shown up — aka Marshawn Lynch — to avoid the fines.
2. Carson Wentz’s comfort of a new deal
The Eagles are Carson Wentz’ team and he can proceed with some comfort of knowing that the organization believes in him. Wentz is healthy, the locker room loves him and experts and pundits are speaking MVPs and Offensive Player of the Year awards for the Eagles signal-caller.
3. Eagles ‘entire’ offensive unit finally gets together
Listen to the names as they roll off your tongue. Carson Wentz, Alshon Jeffrey, DeSean Jackson, Miles Sanders, Zach Ertz, Dallas Goedert, Jordan Howard, Nelson Agholor, JJ Arcega-Whiteside, Andre Dilliard, Jason Peters, Lane Johnson and so many more. The Philadelphia Eagles are a loaded roster and those names were simply on offense alone. This offense will be one of the NFL’s most dynamic and Doug Pederson will finally have all of his toys on one practice field.
4. Standout rookies?
Arcega-Whiteside, Miles Sanders and Dillard are the big names, but there are a number of rookies who could make a name for themselves in front of some big named veteran players. How will Dillard hold up against a real pass rush from the likes of Vinny Curry or Brandon Graham? How will Arcega-Whiteside respond to when the bullets are live and Rasul Douglas or Sidney Jones are fighting for a spot in the cornerback depth chart? Miles Sanders spent most of the OTAs in a helmet and visor and will need to impress in front of the veterans.
