The Philadelphia Eagles got through their second preseason game without any major injuries. As a whole, that’s all the fanbase can ask for.
Winning their first preseason game in close to three years certainly helps as well.
Following the team’s 21-20 victory over the Browns, the Eagles now head to Miami for scheduled joint practices with the Dolphins in preparation for Saturday’s final preseason game.
The 2022-23 season is just around the corner, but there’s plenty still to look forward to over the next few days. The Eagles need to cut down their roster to 80 by Tuesday and 53 by next week. With so much roster turnover expected in the new future, it’s important to see who did well and who could be on the block by this time next week.
Stock Up: Eagles’ Second-Team Offensive Line
I could point out the dominant game played by Cam Jurgens or the improvements made by Andre Dillard, but the entire second-team offensive line deserves credit for an excellent showing on Sunday.
Sua Opeta played very well, and Jack Driscoll showed his ability to play multiple positions on the line when he started at right tackle.
It became very clear that the Eagles’ second-team offensive line could absolutely start for close to half the league. An impressive showing from a very underrated group.
Stock Down: Linebacking Corps
While the opening preseason game against the Jets showed a much-improved group, the second-team linebackers had a very poor game on Sunday. Davion Taylor struggled to quickly react to outside runs and passes and had one of his worst games since his injury.
But Nakobe Dean wasn’t exactly pristine either. Both the Eagles’ second-team linebackers looked repeatedly out of position and weren’t quick enough on their reads. For Dean, a bad game like this isn’t the end of the world – he has to get accustomed to game speed and will only get better.
Taylor’s a different story, though. The 2019 third-round pick played well last season before an injury but is now behind multiple people on the depth chart. Taylor’s running out of opportunities now.
Stock Up: Deon Cain
Eagles’ camp has seen many high risers over the last few weeks. First, Britain Covey was the talk of the camp, but a finger injury has lowered his stock. Jalen Reagor‘s consistency has been a welcome sight, but the in-game numbers haven’t been there.
One player who has shown out in camp, and especially in games, has been Deon Cain. The former sixth-rounder had over 60 yards receiving on five tough catches. He’s been a very positive sight for the Eagles’ offense.
Could he be the next Paul Turner? Absolutely – but Cain has shown a ton of positive signs throughout.
Stock Down: Safety Position
Marcus Epps is basically locked in as the team’s best safety with Anthony Harris paired with him. But Jaquiski Tartt has played poorly in practice, and his team-high snaps in Sunday’s game reflect that he is on the roster bubble.
Reed Blankenship has been solid in practice, but game reps haven’t been too shocking. K’Von Wallace showed some solid hits on Sunday, but even he hasn’t taken a hold on the position. The safety spot needs serious work and could ultimately be the downfall of the entire defense.
There are many analysts saying that TE, RB, and even corner need to be addressed before the season starts, but it’s clear that safety is the most important.
Stock Up: Josh Jobe
Did anyone expect to see a clone of Jalen Mills so soon? Josh Jobe, an undrafted corner from Alabama, doesn’t have great speed, and his instincts aren’t on par with other top corners from the Crimson Tide. But Jobe is a physical player who can adjust in many different spots.
Jobe led the team in tackles Sunday and made a number of solid plays on the ball.
It was very telling that the Browns targeted the other side of the field except for Jobe. The undrafted free agent looks to be a diamond in the rough and has all but appeared to lock up a spot on the 53-man roster.
