The Philadelphia Eagles are now less than 23 hours away from playing in their final preseason game. With much of the roster already locked in, there are still a final few spots up for grabs. For those that don’t make the cut, this is their last opportunity to get some positive tape ready for other NFL teams who might be looking to sniper their services when it comes to practice squad building.
Eagles underdogs worth keeping an eye on this weekend
Will Grier
The Kenny Pickett saga has gone on long enough. While the former starter has struggled to find his footing in Philadelphia, Tanner McKee hasn’t proven enough to surpass him as QB2. This leaves the Eagles tied to a signal-caller they cannot afford to hang their hat on, but the one man who could actually make a push has been left confusingly without much in the way of opportunity.
Will Grier is not a starting-caliber quarterback, but he’s started NFL games and has experience under Kellen Moore. The fact he only threw 5 passes in the teams’ second preseason outing amidst Pickett’s struggles is beyond head-scratching, but he might finally have a fair shot on Saturday when most of the 1st/2nd stringers rest.
There’s no telling as to what the ceiling holds for Will Grier. The WVU product needs this game to at least start a conversation over Pickett’s placement. He probably won’t make the depth chart, but even if he doesn’t, this could be his one and only shot all offseason to make a statement for other teams potentially looking to add some depth to the QB room.
Ainias Smith
After a bumpy start to Training Camp, rookie wideout Ainias Smith has gradually built up steam. A solid effort against the Patriots was followed by a string of good practices and it looked like he might actually claw his way back to a rotational role after all…
…and then the Eagles traded for Jahan Dotson.
This is a big game now for Smith. The picture at WR3 is now complex and one where Smith’s role has become marginalized overnight. A strong game here is absolutely necessary .
Brett Toth & Darian Kinnard
I’ve put both of these players together as both linemen could be fighting for the final spot on the Eagles’ OL depth chart. Toth has started working at Center which could give him a boost due to versatility, but Kinnard’s a rookie and was drafted for a reason. It’s going to be very interesting to see which way the Eagles go and the preseason finale could go a long way in shaping that decision.
Thomas Booker IV
It’s unlikely that the Eagles will keep 5 defensive tackles this year given the 3-4 roster shape, and both Milton Williams & Moro Ojomo have looked excellent this Summer. However, Thomas Booker IV looked ruthless in the teams’ second preseason contest and really made his case as a developmental player who could benefit from being around such a stacked group.
Even if he doesn’t make the cut, the practice squad feels like a safe bet so long as he can prove that last game was more than just a flash in the pan and wreak havoc in Minnesota’s backfield.
Oren Burks
The Eagles’ linebacker position was completely revamped this past offseason. In fact, everyone not named Nakobe Dean or Patrick Johnson is a new addition. But of all the newcomers, Burks is the one who has made the smallest impact. The former 49er should be fighting for a special teams spot but his mysteriously quiet camp in comparison to that of Zack Baun or even Jeremiah Trotter Jr. now leaves his future up in the air.
Burks is another player who will need to show out against the Vikings if he is to sneak onto the roster.
Zech McPhearson
The Eagles tenure of Zech McPhearson has been a disappointing one. Avonte Maddox was handed a shiny new contract just heartbeats after he arrived on the scene, and he’s been unable to get a handle on a rotational nickel role ever since. He’s too small to play outside and with Quinyon Mitchell/Cooper DeJean likely manning the spot for 2024, it looks as though he’s out in the cold once more.
McPhearson’s best shot at an NFL future would be to land somewhere else, but he has to first prove he still has tangible upside with a solid preseason outing in game 3.
Caden Sterns
The health of the Safety position has only improved since the arrival of Caden Sterns, which has completely contrasted his own timeline, with the former Bronco missing multiple practices despite having only arrived on the scene recently.
With that said, Sterns thrived under Vic Fangio as a rookie and could be a valuable depth piece. But you can’t make the club in the tub, and I don’t know if he’s been on the team long enough to acclimatise himself with new surroundings and turn heads against the Vikings. It’s an important game for Sterns.
Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
