We’re now just a few hours away from the first Philadelphia Eagles preseason game of the 2024 season. Training Camp has already thrown up some scintillating squabbles for roster spots and the next step for those vying to make a statement will be turning heads at M&T Bank Stadium. Here are 3 key positional battles to keep an eye on this evening.
A changing of the Guard for the Eagles
Tyler Steen walked into the offseason as the promised prince at right guard, but a new Knight has entered the realm in Mekhi Becton. The two have both endured minor injury bumps ans have been swapping first-team reps throughout camp. Becton is a former first-round pick with plenty of versatility, while Steen was always viewed as a longer-term project.
Preseason play will go a long way in deciding which of the two Stoutland Universty enrolments takes the starting role for the 2024 season, but you have to feel that the pressure is on Steen more than it is a seasoned veteran looking for a new lease of life.
The Ravens boast a lot of depth along the defensive front and should provide an ample challenge for both players on Friday night. Let the games begin.
The need for speed
The Eagles bid Quez Watkins a fond farewell this past offseason. While his tenure was inconsistent at best, the team longed for a sense of speed over the middle to stretch the defense and take eyes off of their perimeter threats. John Ross and Ainias Smith are looking to fill that void, but Parris Campbell, a possession receiver by nature, has really complicated that battle.
Ainias Smith is a rookie and has hardly had the most exceptional start to camp, so a strong preseason is imperative for him, while John Ross came out of retirement for one last rodeo and brings a very similar skillset, but one that’s been tested at the pro level.
Chemistry in the preseason is important, so if Tanner McKee or Will Grier finds solace in Ross or Smith, it could do wonders for their stock when it comes to deciding who gets that starting spot and the consequent ones behind. A strong start is needed for both players and they’ll get a chance to shine against the Ravens tonight.
The Secondary scramble
The Eagles’ Secondary has undergone quite the transformation in recent weeks. Isaiah Rodgers Jr. appears to have locked in the CB2 spot, while a move to Safety for James Bradberry might have unintentionally been the best thing to happen to him. Injuries to Reed Blankenship and Chauncey Gardner-Johnson have only further hurt a position already missing Sydney Brown.
With versatility being called upon as a result, the Eagles have pushed Quinyon Mitchell into the slot for the time being in an effort to get him on the field as a rookie, but the entire secondary is filled with talented young DB’s and what feels like a carousel of formations.
Guys like Kelee Ringo and Josh Jobe will have to strut their best stuff against the Ravens and this is of course the first time we’ll get to see James Bradberry in action at his new position. The Eagles have an abundance of talent in the secondary but getting the best players on the field is the mission, and it’s not an easy one. Again, promising preseason performances will have a huge say in determining who will be named a starter come week one.
Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
