Philadelphia Eagles 2024 NFL Training Camp Preview

Philadelphia Eagles 2024 NFL Training Camp Preview

You couldn’t have scripted a worse ending for the Philadelphia Eagles in 2023, losing six of their last seven games after starting 10-1. The defense, which looked shaky all season, was the biggest culprit. Now, with fresh faces at both coordinator positions with a few intriguing personnel additions, can the Eagles bounce back and re-capture the NFC East title? Let’s dive into their 2024 training camp preview, shall we?

Three Position Battles To Watch:

CB2: Isaiah Rodgers, Quinyon Mitchell, Kelee Ringo

The tea leaves suggest that veteran cornerback James Bradberry may not be on the roster by the start of the 2024 season, opening the slot to fill at the second cornerback position. The NFL reinstated Rodgers in April after being suspended one season for gambling; Mitchell (more on him later) was Philadelphia’s first-round selection while Ringo didn’t get much opportunity as a rookie, tallying 21 total tackles with two pass deflections a year ago. All three could be viable options opposite of Darius Slay, who has a stronghold on the lead corner spot.

WR3: Parris Campbell, Ainias Smith, Johnny Wilson, John Ross

Whoever claims the WR3 job will have a lofty pecking order–AJ Brown, Devonta Smith, Dallas Goedert, Saquon Barkley–to climb. It’s a steep decline between Devonta Smith and any one of Campbell, Ainias Smith, Wilson and Ross. Campbell, a former second-round rookie, hasn’t completely found his footing after five combined seasons with the Indianapolis Colts and New York Giants. He’s hauled in 117 career passes for 1,087 yards and five scores–and likely sits as the projected favorite over the other option. Ross hasn’t played in two seasons after totaling just 11 catches (for 224 yards) in 2021; Smith and Wilson were late-round rookies, so who knows if they’ll show enough impact in camp.

RG: Tyler Steen, Matt Hennessy, Mekhi Becton

With Cam Jurgens sliding over to center, there is a clear opening for the starting right guard position entering training camp. Steen has been the one that’s been projected there, but the Eagles signed both Hennessy and Becton this offseason. Becton has never played tackle before, while Hennessy has primarily played center with some experience at guard. Unless they want to kick Hennessy over to center and keep Jurgens at right guard, I think Steen is the presumptive favorite to earn the starting right guard job.

Rookie To Watch: Quinyon Mitchell, CB

Mitchell was one of the top corners in the class–including being No. 2 on Trey’s cornerback rankings ahead of the 2024 NFL Draft, behind only Alabama’s Kool-Aid McKinstry, who was selected No. 41 overall in the second round by the New Orleans Saints. Mitchell, drafted No. 22 overall, was one of two cornerbacks the Eagles plucked from the draft to help fill a desperate need. Whether he starts or not, Mitchell could be in line to get plenty of reps as rookie, barring injury. He’s got length, speed and was very good in man-to-man coverage. Philadelphia may need that to translate right away. We’ll see.

Washington Commanders 2024 Training Camp Preview

Breakout Candidate? Cam Jurgens, C

Ah, yes, the presumptive Jason Kelce replacement. He was their primary right guard, but now he will get an opportunity at center. He’s not going to be Jason Kelce–nobody is. But sliding over to center isn’t as easy as one would think–especially with Philadelphia’s patented tush push.

Fantasy Sleeper: Kenneth Gainwell, RB

Maybe I’m naive, but, in today’s NFL, more teams are shifting to using multiple running backs. The Eagles snagged running back Saquon Barkley from the division rival New York Giants. Barkley, 27, will be entering his seventh season having dealt with multiple lower body injuries over his career. He is one of the most electric running backs on the field when healthy and will be playing behind a better offensive line. Though I’m not going to completely rule out Gainwell, RB65 who tallied 547 yards (and two scores) from scrimmage last year, out in terms of getting a decent amount of touches. He may not even crack the top-45 or even the top-55, but he’s the clear No. 2 in the pecking order unless rookie Will Shipley emerges.

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