Who’s Winning A Job? Eagles Third Preseason Game Preview

The Philadelphia Eagles hit the road for the first time this preseason and will take on the New York Jets on Friday night (7:30). The two teams competed in joint practices during the week as well. This is something that is becoming more of a norm across the NFL during the preseason, as most teams don’t like to play their starters in preseason games.

 

According to just about everyone who covered the practices between the two teams this week, it was unanimous that the Eagles had “won” both practices. While the Eagles game record during the preseason is 0-2 with the worst point differential in the league, they are now undefeated in joint practices going back to last week’s dates with the Patriots. The parade is scheduled for Sunday afternoon.

 

 

Jokes aside, last week was one of the worst preseason games in recent memory for the Eagles. While the reports coming out of practices in training camp have trended upward, the results on the field have done quite the opposite. Yes, I know that quarterback Jalen Hurts missed last week’s game along with plenty of other starters. It doesn’t matter. There are still reasons to be concerned about the Eagles we will see in the regular season because of what we’ve seen so far.

 

The Eagles have been outscored 52-0 in their last six quarters of preseason football. All of those quarters saw a lot of 2’s, 3’s, and players trying to prove themselves as legit NFL talent. The reason this is so noteworthy is because it reflects on how poor the depth of this team is.

 

Starters are going to get hurt. It happens every year, all across the NFL. However, injuries have been more prominent for the Eagles than seemingly every other organization the past four or so years. So I’m sorry, I can’t take this preseason with a grain of salt. Especially with this newfound optimism surrounding this team, with fans firmly believing this Eagles team is a playoff team.

 

The 2021 Eagles are not a playoff team in my eyes for many reasons. I won’t get into those reasons right now for fear of getting more off track than I already am. I will say, though, that the lack of depth at seemingly every position is one of those reasons. That absence of depth will be my focus this week, as I think it will be the main thing addressed in the final tune-up game.

 

First Things First

 

In order to focus on the guys fighting for a spot on the 53 man roster, we have to know who is a foregone conclusion to make the roster. That’s going to include starters and a majority of the backups. Here are my projections for who is going to be a lock for the initial 53-man roster. The reason I say, “initial,” is because the 53-man roster always changes between final cut day and week one.

 

QB (3 of 3): Jalen Hurts, Joe Flacco, Nick Mullens

RB (3 of 4): Miles Sanders, Boston Scott, Jordan Howard

WR (5 of 7): DeVonta Smith, Jalen Reagor, Quez Watkins, Greg Ward Jr., Travis Fulgham

TE (3 of 3): Zach Ertz, Dallas Goedert, Richard Rodgers

OL (7 of 8): Jason Kelce, Lane Johnson, Brandon Brooks, Isaac Seumalo, Jordan Mailata, Andre Dillard, Nate Herbig

DL (8 of 9): Brandon Graham, Fletcher Cox, Javon Hargrave, Josh Sweat, Derek Barnett, Ryan Kerrigan, Hassan Ridgeway, Milton Williams

LB (5 of 6): Alex Singleton, Eric Wilson, Genard Avery, T.J. Edwards, Davion Taylor

CB (4 of 5): Darius Slay, Steven Nelson, Avonte Maddox, Zach McPhearson

S (4 of 5): Anthony Harris, K’Von Wallace, Marcus Epps, Andrew Adams

Specialists (3 of 3): Jake Elliott, Arryn Siposs, Rick Lovato

 

My predictions leave eight available spots to fill out the roster. Keep in mind that the Eagles currently have two fairly important players on the Physically Unable to Perform List (PUP), safety Rodney McLeod and rookie offensive lineman Landon Dickerson.

 

 

If either of those two players do end up being removed from the PUP list, they are foregone conclusions to make the roster. However, if they are kept on the PUP list, they will be forced to miss the first six games of the season and will not take up a roster spot.

 

Who’s Winning A Job?

 

Running Back

The first available spot is at the running back position. The two competing for the job in my mind are Kenneth Gainwell and Jason Huntley. Gainwell has had a solid preseason and has done very well once he gets the ball in his hands. He is a decent pass protector in the backfield too. Meanwhile, Huntley has been mostly unimpressive in his limited playing time. The only way I see Huntley beating out Gainwell is if the Eagles think he provides a more significant upside on special teams.

Advantage: Kenneth Gainwell.

 

 

Wide Receiver

The Wide Receiver position is the most open for interpretation. I was even a tad hesitant to list Travis Fulgham as a lock to make the roster given his minimal production in the preseason so far. However, I think the fact that he only played 26% of the snaps last week actually shows that the Eagles are confident in his roster spot rather than them being skeptical of his skills.

 

The favorites for the final two roster spots at wide receiver in my opinion are John Hightower and the infamous J.J. Arcega-Whiteside. Hightower will make the roster because of his speed and his ability to run deep routes. If he learns how to catch the football this year, that could lead to him actually seeing the field.

 

Let me get out in front of the confusion by saying I wouldn’t be surprised if the Eagles decided to cut JJAW outright and filled this roster spot at another position. The only real reason I see JJAW making the roster over some other guys is because he is semi-decent at covering kickoffs and Howie Roseman probably still isn’t ready to give up on him yet.

Advantage: John Hightower and *sigh* J.J. Arcega-Whiteside

 

Offensive Line

For the offensive line, it comes down to whether Landon Dickerson will be activated off the PUP. If he is, he would obviously get the last available spot for offensive line, but would likely miss the first couple of games as they ramp him back up in practice. However, with that logic, why wouldn’t the Eagles keep him on the PUP where he misses the first six weeks but can come back to practice around week four?

 

I believe Dickerson stays on the PUP. Therefore, that final o-line spot will go to either Matt Pryor, Sua Opeta, Jack Driscoll, or Brett Toth. I’ll be perfectly honest and say none of these four are very good and are extremely uninspiring options. I’ll give the slightest of edges to Matt Pryor simply because he can play multiple positions along the offensive line. Make no mistake about it though, this battle will come down to the final drive of the preseason.

Advantage: Matt Pryor/Whoever sucks the least

 

Defensive Line

Along the defensive line, the final roster spot is T.Y. McGill’s to lose. While he didn’t even record a single stat last week, he recorded a sack against the Steelers and was with the team last season. That should give him enough of an edge to beat out guys like Raequan Williams or Tarron Jackson.

Advantage: T.Y. McGill

 

Linebacker

The linebacker position, much like the offensive line, leaves a lot to be desired in the candidate department. I assume the competition for the final spot will come down to the final snap on Friday night. No one at the position has impressed at all quite frankly, outside of maybe Alex Singleton. Through two games, linebacker has been the position where opposing running backs go to break tackles.

 

Heading into the preseason, Shaun Bradley was likely the favorite to win the final linebacker spot. However, Bradley has missed a lot of tackles and was third on the unofficial depth chart at middle linebacker. Meanwhile, based on my projections, there currently isn’t a backup strongside linebacker for Genard Avery, who is unproven as well. The injury to Joe Ostman hurts the Eagles, as that’s one less candidate for a roster spot who has the ability to play outside backer.

 

Right now, I tentatively give the advantage to Temple alum Shaun Bradley. That being said, if another guy plays well on Friday night, don’t be surprised if they make the roster over Bradley. Ultimately, don’t be surprised if the Eagles ultimately end up looking at the other 31 teams’ practice squads for a guy who can play outside linebacker.

Advantage: Shaun Bradley

 

Cornerback

This position will come down to how comfortable the Eagles are with Zech McPherson as the backup outside corner. If they’re comfortable with that and the health of both Darius Slay and Steven Nelson, then nickel corner Josiah Scott is the clear choice. He has reportedly had a good camp and played well against the Pittsburgh Steelers, recording three tackles and a pass breakup.

 

While Scott has the advantage in my book, the final corner spot will be determined by his performance on Friday night along with Michael Jacquet, Kevon Seymour, and 2019-Packers-Game-Hero Craig James. None of the three players I just listed have impressed the way Scott has in practice. To be fair, Craig James just came back to practice this week after nursing an injury. I’m not sure if he’ll have enough tape to make up for the time he missed to make the 53-man roster.

 

It’s also worth noting that Jacquet is fighting a battle of his own. He’s still looking for his ankles somewhere around the five yard line of Lincoln Financial Field.

 

 

Advantage: Josiah Scott

 

Safety

While it pains me to my core that Marcus Epps is once again poised to make this roster, the final spot should have a clear favorite. Elijah Riley has played well in his defensive reps as well as on special teams. He had a key interception in week one against Pittsburgh, and continued to fly around the field last week against New England.

 

 

Riley has been one of the leading tacklers for the Birds throughout the preseason. He’s recorded 10 tackles in about 4-5 quarters of action to go along with a pass breakup and the aforementioned interception. It’s currently unclear whether starting safety Rodney McLeod will be activated off the PUP list and take up a roster spot as he works his way back from a torn ACL. Frankly, though, I could see the Eagles keeping one less receiver if it meant that Riley would make the roster. I would be stunned if Riley gets cut.

Advantage: Elijah Riley

Broadcast Information

Time: 7:30 P.M. EDT
TV: NBC 10
Radio: 94.1 WIP
Stream: NFL Game Pass

By Matt Szczypiorski | August 27, 2021
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