https://www.delawareonline.com/story/sports/nfl/eagles/2024/07/18/eagles-training-camp-2024-7-position-battles-to-watch-kenny-pickett-quinyon-dejean-saquon-barkley/74295876007/

Eagles training camp 7 top position battles: Is Kenny Pickett's backup QB job safe?

In many ways, this will be among the most competitive training camps for the Eagles, despite a third straight playoff appearance.

That's because the Eagles have a younger team after the retirements of center Jason Kelce and defensive tackle Fletcher Cox.

In addition, the 1-6 collapse to end last season left a bitter taste throughout the team. That led to changes in the coaching staff with Kellen Moore hired to run the offense, Vic Fangio the defense, while head coach Nick Sirianni takes on a new CEO type of role.

It's also quite possible that the Eagles are counting on two of their rookies to win starting jobs, or at the very least contribute right away. And it's possible that one or two more rookies could play a significant role this season.

Here, then, are the top position battles as the Eagles report to training camp Tuesday and begin practicing Wednesday:
New Orleans Saints running back Jamaal Williams (21) runs with the ball as Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Devin White (45) and linebacker Lavonte David (54) tackle during the first quarter at Raymond James Stadium.
Linebacker: Nakobe Dean vs. Devin White vs. Zack Baun

It won't take long to know where Dean stands in the Eagles' pecking order. After a disappointing and injury-plagued 2023, the Eagles signed veterans Devin White, Zack Baun and Oren Burks in free agency, and drafted Jeremiah Trotter Jr., in the fifth round.

White, picked No. 5 overall in the 2019 draft, never lived up to those expectations in Tampa Bay, and had lost his starting job by the end of last season. He's still better than anyone the Eagles have, so he's a strong possibility for one of the two spots.

It would seem like Dean would be a lock for the second. But during the spring, the Eagles used Baun, who's also an edge rusher, with White on the first team, while Dean and Burks were with the second unit. Was that because Dean was just getting cleared from foot surgery? Or was that a sign that Baun could be the guy next to White?

We'll find out soon enough.
Aug 3, 2023; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles guard Tyler Steen (R) and offensive tackle Fred Johnson (50) run drills during practice at Novacare Complex.
Right guard: Tyler Steen vs. Matt Hennessy vs. Mekhi Becton vs. Trevor Keegan

This could be the most intriguing battle of camp. Cam Jurgens, who started at right guard last season, is moving to center to replace the retired Jason Kelce.

Steen was the Eagles' third-round pick in 2023. But he had never played guard until the Eagles tried him there last summer. Steen got a start in place of an injured Jurgens last November. But Steen was overmatched, and when Jurgens was injured again later in the season, Sua Opeta started.

Opeta left in free agency, and the Eagles signed veteran Matt Hennessy, who spent most of his career at center, for depth at both positions. Don't be surprised if Mekhi Becton, a 2020 first-round pick of the Jets as a tackle, gets in the competition even though he has never played guard before getting some reps at left guard at minicamp in June.

The Eagles also drafted Trevor Keegan in the fifth round out of Michigan. A strong camp could put him in the running, too. There's also veteran Max Scharping and sixth-round pick Dylan McMahon.

COUNTING THEM DOWN:Who are the 9 most interesting Philadelphia Eagles for a Super Bowl season? Our countdown
No. 3 wide receiver: Parris Campbell vs. John Ross vs. 2 rookies

The Eagles certainly don't seem to be raising alarm bells here. After all, A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith get the vast majority of the targets, and the Eagles also have tight end Dallas Goedert and running back Saquon Barkley as talented receivers.

But one thing veterans Campbell and Ross can do is stretch the field with their speed. The same is true of fifth-round pick Ainias Smith. Sixth-round pick Johnny Wilson, who's 6-foot-6, 231 pounds, can serve as a third wide receiver by using his size and jump ball ability.

Still, none are locks to serve as bona-fide No. 3 receivers. For all of Campbell's speed, he averaged just 5.2 yards per catch last season with the Giants. Ross, who held the Combine record for the 40-yard dash for 7 years at 4.22, has been out of the NFL since 2021.

Smith and Wilson are unproven.
Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Kelee Ringo (37) tackles Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Breshad Perriman (9) after his catch during the third quarter at Lincoln Financial Field on Aug 24, 2023, in Philadelphia.
Cornerback: Isaiah Rodgers vs. Kelee Ringo vs. Quinyon Mitchell

This is for the job of starting opposite Darius Slay, a five time Pro Bowl selection. Whoever wins the job will be tested often. Rodgers has started 10 games in three season with the Colts before serving a one-year suspension for violating the NFL's policy on gambling. Ringo, who had a strong spring, had mixed results last season as a rookie.

No doubt, the Eagles would love Mitchell, the team's first-round pick, to win the job. But that's a lot to ask for a rookie, especially when the Eagles haven't had a Week 1 rookie starter at cornerback since Eric Allen in 1988.
Dec 3, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadel\Sphia Eagles running back Kenneth Gainwell (14) dives for a first down against the San Francisco 49ers during the first quarter at Lincoln Financial Field.
No. 2 running back: Kenny Gainwell vs. Will Shipley

There are three factors working against Gainwell. The first is that Barkley is an accomplished receiver and pass protector in addition to being an elite runner, so there won't be many chances for Gainwell.

The second is that Gainwell hasn't taken advantage of the chances in his three previous seasons. The third is that Gainwell is eligible for free agency after this season and the Eagles drafted Shipley in the fourth round.

If Shipley picks up the offense quickly enough in camp, he could be the one giving Barkley a breather during a few series each game.
Sep 14, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison (3) is tackled by Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Josh Jobe (28) and cornerback Avonte Maddox (29) at Lincoln Financial Field.
Nickel cornerback: Avonte Maddox vs. Cooper DeJean

This will be another intriguing battle. The Eagles haven't officially decided on DeJean, their second-round pick, as a nickel. But that could be his easiest path to a starting job after he played all over the secondary in college at Iowa.

Maddox clearly has the experience and ability to win that job. But injuries have taken a toll. Maddox played a total of 13 games the last two seasons, and the Eagles released him in the spring before re-signing him to a one-year deal for less money.

Maddox is not part of the future, while DeJean is. For the Eagles, that future could begin this season.
Aug 24, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Tanner McKee (10) passes the ball past Indianapolis Colts defensive end Al-Quadin Muhammad (97) during the third quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Backup QB: Kenny Pickett vs. Tanner McKee

Sure, this is a longshot for McKee considering that the Eagles traded for Pickett, who was the Steelers' first-round pick in 2022 (No. 20 overall). But remember how well McKee played last year in the preseason, with many fans clamoring for him to unseat veteran Marcus Mariota, himself a former first-round pick.

Mariota, of course, served as Jalen Hurts' backup last season.

But look at it this way: If Pickett had lived up to expectations, he'd still be a Steeler. McKee, meanwhile, has had an entire season to learn from Hurts. It's possible the most accurate QB could win the backup job, and accuracy has never been Pickett's strong suit, nor McKee's in college. In two NFL seasons, Pickett has thrown 13 touchdown passes and 13 interceptions.

Contact Martin Frank at mfrank@delawareonline.com. Follow on X @Mfranknfl.

Definitely some interesting camp battles. I think CB is going to be the most interesting just because of the numbers we have there and the options. 

This is all over the place... Pickett will end up #2 ..Maddox could very well be cut again.  I don't get this guys little clips of plays from last season... not necessary

It seems likely that Pickett will be #2 to start the season. If there is a QB injury on another team I wonder if Howie could work his QB magic yet again. Part of that would be if they consider McKee ready.