The Philadelphia Eagles are less than a week away from the start of the 2019 training camp and there are not many questions marks for a team that is on a mission towards another Lombardi Trophy. The Birds are loaded at several key positions and don’t have many holes on the roster. There is a lack of depth in some key positions, but the team’s overall versatility should cover up some of the worts.
Training camp is a time for guys to make a name for themselves, and with so many guys looking to make an impact or move up the depth chart, we highlighted five players with the most to gain during this training camp.
Sidney Jones
Jones is a second-round pick, and if not for his high draft status, would probably be a candidate for a trade. The Eagles dream scenario would be for Jones to ascend and snag one of the three starting cornerback positions. Another season of inconsistent play could see Jones on the outs in Philadelphia, but he’s worked out hard this summer, training with Fletcher Cox and Alshon Jeffery. With Ronald Darby and Jalen Mills sidelined this spring, Jones took advantage and showed that he has a role with the Eagles.
Jordan Howard
Howard has the third-most rushing yards in the NFL since 2016, but you’d never know after his exit from Chicago amid rumors that he was ineffective in the passing game. Howard has worked diligently on his pass-catching skills, but can he hold off Miles Sanders, whom the Eagles used a second-round pick on for his dynamic play out of the backfield. Howard is a short-yardage monster who will allow the Eagles to easily be much better on 3rd down. Howard converted 23 of 31 runs of third- and fourth-and-less-than 2 yards last season, a 74 percent conversion rate.
Howard is in the final year of his deal, and a huge season with the Eagles could translate to a hefty payday in free agency.
Dallas Goedert
Goedert could be a starter for almost every other team in the league and if not for Zach Ertz, would be on every top player under 25 list. With so many new additions on offense alone, it’ll be interesting to see if they are enough balls going Goedert’s way for him to increase his production from last season. The Eagles will utilize the
12 personnel early and often, but such a move would eliminate a wide receiver or back from the field of play.
Josh Sweat
Jim Schwartz likes to rotate his defensive ends and in order for the Eagles to not get besieged by injuries again, Sweat will have to produce to ensure that Brandon Graham and Derek Barnett get the proper rest. Vinny Curry will play defensive end and slide down inside on running down, so it’ll be imperative for Sweat to make his presence known.
Nate Sudfeld
Sudfeld will enter training camp looking to show that he’s a comparable No. 2 quarterback and a guy that can eventually lead his own franchise. Howie Roseman loves to develop a player, then allow him to leave via free agency or trade so that the Eagles can utilize a compensatory pick. Sudfeld has taken 25 snaps in his pro career, yet secured a $3.095 million tender. If the Eagles backup can show that he belongs, it could set him up for an even larger payday down the line.
