Concerns?

Posted: August 19th, 2025 | Author: Tommy Lawlor

The Eagles have the best GM in football. They have one of the best coaching staffs. They have arguably the best roster. There is a lot to be happy about and expectations for the upcoming season are high.

But…are there some things to be concerned about? Let’s talk about some possible issues.

CB2 still isn’t settled. I thought Jakorian Bennett would be in the lead after the Browns game, but Adoree Jackson still gets most of the reps with the starters. You could make the argument that Vic Fangio loves him and that’s why he’s up there. But Fangio hasn’t said much publicly that would make you think he’s high on Jackson. I’m officially confused.

I would be a lot more concerned about this if not for the combination of Fangio and Roseman. Fangio is a great DC. He has a lot of experience and knows what he’s looking for. Fangio played a pair of rookies last year and it worked great. He didn’t rush Cooper DeJean into the lineup. He wanted DeJean ready and waited until the bye week. I feel like Fangio is okay with what he’s got to work with, even if it isn’t ideal.

Roseman is less patient to be sure. If he felt this was a critical issue, I think he would have made a move by now. I think Howie is trusting Fangio’s plan, while also knowing that moves can be made over the next week. Rosters get cut a week from now. There could be a veteran CB available at a reasonable price, or one could get cut.

We’ve talked a lot about OL depth. Jordan Mailata missed Tuesday’s practice with a concussion. That shouldn’t affect the season opener, but it isn’t ideal. Matt Pryor replaced him at LT in practice and struggled. Jeff Stoutland continues to move players around and try different combos. The five starters are a great unit. I like Drew Kendall and Darrian Kinnard as backups, but they aren’t experienced players that you can plug in without worrying a bit. Matt Pryor and Kendall Lamm have not been great this summer.

At the same time, real games would be very different than practice and drills. There would be a gameplan to help the backup lineman in the game. In practice the coaches want to see what a guy can do so there isn’t help. They aren’t calling favorable plays.

This is another spot where Howie could make a move if he thinks it is needed. No one has a ton of great OL, but there could be a player here or there that Howie and Stout think might help out.

The Eagles already made a move at WR and that looks pretty smart now. Johnny Wilson got carted off the field on Tuesday after an OL rolled up on his legs. That’s not good. AJ Brown is still working his way back from a hamstring injury. The team is leaking through national reporters that they aren’t worried, but hamstring injuries have been know to linger. DeVonta Smith missed Tuesday so you had Jahan Dotson, Darius Cooper, Ainias Smith and John Metchie as the key receivers. Good backups, but not a group that would scare many secondaries on their own.

The Eagles should be fine at WR. Dotson seems to be taking advantage of the extra reps. He’s playing well and improving his chemistry with Jalen Hurts. The Eagles can’t afford a serious injury to Brown or Smith, but both should be back for the opener and the overall depth is better than recent seasons.

Nolan Smith and Jalyx Hunt are a talented young pair of edge rushers. Behind them are some question marks. Smith is dealing with a shoulder issue and the season hasn’t started. I’m guessing Fangio and the coaches may like what they are seeing more than those of us in the media or public. The Eagles haven’t done anything to add to the position.

We know Roseman and the Eagles obsess on the DL and pass rushers. If they had serious concerns I think they would have made a move. There have been some veteran free agents available.

We all like Drew Mukuba. The rookie has a bright future…if he can stay healthy. Mukuba missed time with an injury earlier and then suffered a hamstring issue on Tuesday. You must have a good backup behind him. The Eagles do, in the person of Sydney Brown. After Brown you have Tristin McCollum and Andre Sam. Not exactly Wes and Andre.

The team will need to get a feel for Mukuba’s situation. If this is a minor injury, they could be fine as-is. If they are worried about his hamstring, they might need to add a veteran.

The regular season is just a couple of weeks away. Friday’s game against the Jets will be critical for some of the backups we’ve talked about. You know Howie and his staff will be working the phones to figure out who is available and what might need to be done.

Understand that all 32 teams have areas to be concerned about. With the salary cap, no one has the kind of depth they ideally want. You take chances on young players or cheap free agents and hope you hit on some of them. Think of all the players who stepped up for the Eagles last year.

Zack Baun
Mekhi Becton
Tanner McKee
Quinyon Mitchell
Cooper DeJean
Oren Burks
Isaiah Rodgers
Milton Williams

The Eagles aren’t likely to hit on as many guys this year. Still, if they can just find a few key guys, they’ll have better depth and can once again have a great season.

http://igglesblitz.com/2025/08/concerns-3/

OL depth is a real concern. If we lose a starter, it feels like the next guy in would be a dramatic downgrade and therefore a "hole" in the line....which could/would disrupt our offense enough to make things a real challenge.

It feels like Howie has either whiffed on OL depth in recent drafts or the mighty Stout U just can't get these guys NFL ready...Trevor Keegan, Dylan McMahon, Drew Kendall, Myles Hinton, Cameron Williams are all from the last 2 drafts. Do we have even one NFL caliber player amongst them? McMahon was obviously already released. But I haven't heard anyone say anything remotely positive about any of these guys in camp...not even a "flash" of talent that gives you the indication they will develop.

19 minutes ago, EaglesAddict said:

OL depth is a real concern. If we lose a starter, it feels like the next guy in would be a dramatic downgrade and therefore a "hole" in the line....which could/would disrupt our offense enough to make things a real challenge.

It feels like Howie has either whiffed on OL depth in recent drafts or the mighty Stout U just can't get these guys NFL ready...Trevor Keegan, Dylan McMahon, Drew Kendall, Myles Hinton, Cameron Williams are all from the last 2 drafts. Do we have even one NFL caliber player amongst them? McMahon was obviously already released. But I haven't heard anyone say anything remotely positive about any of these guys in camp...not even a "flash" of talent that gives you the indication they will develop.

There has been quite a few positive reports on Kendall's play at center. He even took some reps at LG recently with Dickerson unable to suit up. McMahon was released at last year's cuts and got claimed off waivers (they were likely hoping he'd clear and sign him to the practice squad). Keegan has been a major disappointment. Hinton and Williams are 6th rd projects. The guy I am most surprised that hasn't looked good is Pryor. I thought he might push Steen for the starting RG spot. Three positions to keep an eye on during roster cuts ... OL, CB, Edge.

1 hour ago, time2rock said:

There has been quite a few positive reports on Kendall's play at center. He even took some reps at LG recently with Dickerson unable to suit up. McMahon was released at last year's cuts and got claimed off waivers (they were likely hoping he'd clear and sign him to the practice squad). Keegan has been a major disappointment. Hinton and Williams are 6th rd projects. The guy I am most surprised that hasn't looked good is Pryor. I thought he might push Steen for the starting RG spot. Three positions to keep an eye on during roster cuts ... OL, CB, Edge.

I haven't really seen much of any reports about Kendall's play at all...positive or negative. You've seen "quite a few positive reports" on his play? I must be missing them, lol.