It’s official! As of today, the Eagles are back as training camp begins following the players reporting yesterday to the Novacare complex. Football season is right around the corner, but for many in Philadelphia, today marks the start of their favorite time of the year. The birds have had an active offseason, so we haven’t exactly been starved for news, but I know for a fact that there are countless people chomping at the bit to hear/read the latest news on who looks good at camp and who could steal a roster spot. When you think about the 2022-23 Eagles roster, it might feel like a lot of positions are already settled, but there are still a healthy number of positions still up for grabs, and camp will go a long way to show who deserves those spots. Here are those position battles, and the warring parties.
RB: Miles Sanders vs. Kenneth Gainwell
The Eagles have used a committee approach to the running back position for years now, and this season will be no different. Sanders and Gainwell will split carries, and Boston Scott will also chip in at points to help shoulder the load at the position, but there are some questions about who will be the lead back as far as usage. The odds on favorite has to be Sanders, who is still viewed as one of the more talented backs in football, but because of injuries, mental mistakes, and a lack of production last season, the door is open for Gainwell to seize more opportunity in his 2nd season in the NFL. How these two perform in camp will give us a good idea of who the coaches favor.
WR 3: Quez Watkins vs. Zach Paschal vs. Jalen Reagor
The top 2 WR positions are already locked in, with AJ Brown and DeVonta Smith taking those spots easily. The 3rd WR spot, though, is still up for some debate. Quez Watkins is the most talented of these 3 options, but Zach Paschal and Nick Sirianni have history together from their time in Indianapolis with the Colts. Could Sirianni play a favorite here? It’s certainly possible. Also, the Eagles have been slow to give up on premium picks, and Reagor was a 1st round selection. Don’t rule him out as still getting significant opportunities this season in the slot.
RG: Isaac Seumalo vs. Jack Driscoll
The offensive line is probably the biggest strength of this team, and there is only one real question mark with this position group. Isaac Seumalo has been a starter for years, but he is coming off of a Lisfranc injury, and he could certainly have lost a step because of his recovery. It doesn’t mean Seumalo is washed, but Jack Driscoll is a younger option who has been really solid in his small sample size as a fill in starter. The winner here will probably depend more on Seumalo’s health, but it’s not out of the question to think Driscoll could swoop (get it?) in and steal the right guard position.
LB: Davion Taylor vs. Nakobe Dean vs. TJ Edwards
The linebacker position is vastly improved this season, to the point where the question has gone from “Who is good enough to start for the Eagles?” to “Which of these good players won’t be able to start for the Eagles?” TJ Edwards has the advantage here on track record, but Davion Taylor has shown flashes of freakish athleticism during his time in the league. All of that could go out the window, though, if rookie Nakobe Dean is as advertised. Dean was the leader of the best defense in college football last year, and despite slipping to the 3rd round in the draft, still comes with great expectations. These guys will rotate throughout the season, but it’ll be interesting to see who gets the most snaps.
EDGE: Brandon Graham vs. Josh Sweat vs. Derek Barnett vs. Haason Reddick
The edge rusher position is going to be one of the more interesting case studies for the Philadelphia Eagles in 2022 as to how their front office/coaching staff thinks when it comes to evaluating players. You have it all in these four players: Graham, the aging but proven veteran, Sweat, the talented young emerging player, Barnett, the premier prospect who hasn’t worked out to this point, and Reddick, the new signing in his prime with a clear resume on another team. So, what do the Eagles value? If I had to wager a guess, I would say that Josh Sweat and Haason Reddick spend the most time on the edges by the year’s end, with Brandon Graham 3rd in snap count, and Barnett in 4th.
