The safety position has drawn significant focus after the departure of C.J. Gardner-Johnson. Reed Blankenship retains his starting spot, but the competition to play beside him is heating up.
Sydney Brown has taken the majority of first-team reps, while rookie Drew Mukuba started strong but suffered an injury on Day 3 and hasn’t returned to full drills. Tristin McCollum and Andre’ Sam have gotten some first-team work, but Brown appears to be the frontrunner for now, with Mukuba needing a strong return to challenge him.
Ringo, Jackson Compete At Cornerback, Campbell Impresses At Linebacker And Edge Rusher
The cornerback battle between Kelee Ringo and veteran Adoree’ Jackson remains close. Jackson has had more first-team reps (four to Ringo’s three) and has shown consistency, while Ringo has had an up-and-down camp. Despite Jackson’s steady play, the Eagles likely hope Ringo’s upside wins out.
Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio offered a pointed challenge to Jackson, indicating that the next few weeks will be crucial in determining the winner of this battle.
With Nakobe Dean still recovering, the Eagles opened camp with Zack Baun and Jeremiah Trotter Jr. as their top linebackers. Baun’s injury opened the door for first-round pick Jihaad Campbell, who has impressed with his athleticism and aggression.
Kelee Ringo (NFL)Trotter Jr. has had a strong camp and remains the leader in reps, but Campbell’s raw talent might prove too hard to keep off the field. Fifth-rounder Smael Mondon has also flashed, suggesting impressive depth at the position.
Nolan Smith and Jalyx Hunt were expected to start on the edge, but Smith’s concussion has sidelined him for several days. Josh Uche has made the most of the opportunity, outperforming Azeez Ojulari until the latter had his best practice on Day 7.
Rookie Antwaun Powell-Ryland has been quiet thus far, while veteran Ogbo Okoronkwo has shown flashes. Notably, Jihaad Campbell has also seen time at the edge, hinting at his versatility and the coaching staff’s willingness to experiment.
Steen Leads At Right Guard, DTR Surges, Cooks Shines Among Receiver Hopefuls
Tyler Steen, who lost the job last year due to injury, is back and has taken every first-team snap at right guard so far. He’s shown inconsistency, particularly against standout DT Moro Ojomo, but the coaching staff’s confidence in him is evident.
Behind him, Matt Pryor, Darian Kinnard, and Trevor Keegan are rotating through second-team reps. Kenyon Green is another name to watch, as his movement up the depth chart on the left side could eventually translate to the right.
The Eagles’ third quarterback spot is being contested by veteran Dorian Thompson-Robinson (DTR) and rookie Kyle McCord. Both have split reps during the same periods rather than alternating days. DTR’s NFL experience has given him an early edge, but McCord is expected to be given every opportunity to win the role.
Encouragingly, both quarterbacks have performed well enough to avoid disrupting the flow of third-team reps, a common problem in past camps.
Beyond the top trio of A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, and Jahan Dotson, the receiver battle is wide open. Terrace Marshall Jr. started strong but cooled off and suffered a knee injury. Danny Gray was waived after a finger injury. The standout has been Elijah Cooks, who has made a string of acrobatic catches and aims to impress daily. Ainias Smith has also shown flashes, particularly in 1-on-1s, while Johnny Wilson’s development remains inconsistent.
Across the board, the Eagles’ training camp has featured a mix of returning veterans, high-upside rookies, and a surprising amount of depth. Injuries have created opportunities for younger players to shine, particularly in the linebacker and safety groups.
While a few position battles remain close, others like right guard and edge, are starting to see leaders emerge. With three practices remaining before the preseason opener, many of these competitions remain fluid and could shift quickly.
