The Philadelphia Eagles enter the 2020 NFL season locked and loaded with the bulk of their 53 man roster set.
Entrenched in such a talented roster are several high profile training camp battles at integral positions, with the ramifications trickling down the lineup.
With the acclimation period ramping up and the Eagles just days away from putting on the pads, we breakdown the top position battles:
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1. Cornerback opposite Darius Slay
Depending on whom you ask, the job is either Avonte Maddox’s to lose or Sidney Jones’s position for the taking. Slay is entrenched as the Eagles franchise cornerback. The player opposite of him has yet to be determined, but it’ll likely come down to Maddox, Jones, or Rasul Douglas.
Nickell Robey-Coleman and Cre’Von LeBlanc will hold down the slot, and the Eagles could choose to utilize a rotation similar to last season.
2. Running back depth chart behind Miles Sanders
Even as the Eagles prepare to give Miles Sanders the ball and get out of the way, the Birds still prefer to utilize committee of running backs on gameday.
Boston Scott had a coming-out party last season accounting for 499 yards, and five touchdowns in 11 games, including a three-touchdown performance against the New York Giants in week 17.
The Eagles re-signed Corey Clement this offseason and if the Super Bowl 52 hero can regain his hard running style, he could make things difficult for Elijah Holyfield and Michael Warren.
3. Jalen Hurts vs. Nate Sudfeld
Hurts was brought into to either solidify the backup quarterback position or develop into an asset that the Eagles can eventually flip into first or second-round compensation.
A better runner than passer exiting Oklahoma, Hurts will likely start preseason action at No. 3 on the depth chart behind Nate Sudfeld. With Kyle Lauletta on the roster as well, the Eagles are hurry to rush Hurts along and unless he has a blistering training camp he’ll likely start the season as a gadget player after the loss of preseason games.
4.The X receiver spot in Alshon Jeffery’s absence
While the Eagles wait for Alshon Jeffery to return from foot surgery, the battle to replace him as the “X” receiver could be an interesting watch.
Jalen Reagor is cross-training and will see time at the “X” and the “Z” while working behind DeSean Jackson in the Eagles offense. JJ Arcega-Whiteside has the benefit of spending a whole season in the system and could turn that advantage into a starting spot against Washington in the season opener.
Reagor is a physical performer who can win his share of jump balls. If he isn’t immediately inserted into the slot for his explosiveness, there’s no reason to believe that he won’t push Arcega-Whiteside to be the starting “X” a month from now.
5.fourth and Fifth DE on the depth chart: Genard Avery vs. Shareef Miller vs. Joe Ostman vs. Casey Toohill
Josh Sweat and Vinny Curry are entrenched in the lineup as pass rushers, but with the Eagles utilizing a versatile defensive rotation, there are still one or two spots available along the outside.
The Eagles acquired Genard Avery from the Browns via trade and the hybrid pass rusher will look to make a name for himself after a slow transition in 2019. Shareef Miller was a 2019 fourth-round pick who essentially redshirted as a rookie and will need to show that an offseason of added strength and quickness can translate into a roster spot.
Joe Ostman will look to make the team again and will be returning from a torn ACL suffered last summer, while the wildcard of the group could be Stanford rookie Casey Toohill. A tweener who can rush the passer, Toohill could allow the Eagles to get younger up front if the youngster can make the team.
6. Middle Linebacker
Nate Gerry was second on the team in tackles in 2019 and has continued to improve after making the move from safety. Gerry will likely start at outside linebacker, meaning the decision will come down to the middle linebacker. T.J. Edwards will see a significant increase in playing time at the position but could lose reps to a faster player on passing down.
If that’s right, that leaves an open spot next to Gerry in nickel, which is essentially the Eagles’ base offense. The candidate for that role:
Jatavis Brown, Duke Riley, and two rookies, Davion Taylor and Shaun Bradley will compete to add that athleticism to the defense that has been missing, with Riley likely finally cracking the roster.
7. Slot WR spot Greg Ward vs. John Hightower vs. Quez Watkins
Greg Ward emerged down the stretch, racking up 21 catches for 209 yards and one game-winning touchdown. Ward’s coming out party could be postponed after the Eagles acquired three speedsters in the NFL Draft.
Hightower is a freakish athlete who could dominate from the slot, while Ward has been the most consistent of the group.
8. Hybrid linemen Jack Driscoll vs. Matt Pryor
Jason Peters will start at right guard, but he’s battled injuries the past few seasons and he’ll be transitioning to a new position. With Big-V taking his talents to the Detroit Lions, rookie Jack Driscoll and veteran Matt Pryor will likely battle for the sixth offensive linemen spot.
Such a position could allow Pryor or Driscoll to play either guard position, with Peters able to slide down to tackle if need in place of Andre Dillard.
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