The first Eagles preseason game will see them travel to take on the Baltimore Ravens. It’s the first taste of football Eagles fans will get after months of wallowing in the dread of last season’s collapse. While the stars likely won’t see much time on the field, there should still be a few crucial things to watch. The Eagles have several training camp battles ongoing, and performances in the preseason will factor in. The turnover of the roster and coaching staff won’t be on full display against the Ravens. However, it’s the first chance for fans to see the potential plans to get the team back on track. Here are three things Eagles fans should pay attention to on Friday night.
The Battle at Right Guard
With Jason Kelce retiring and Cam Jurgens moving to enter, Tyler Steen was expected to take over at right guard this season. However, it hasn’t gone according to plan for Steen or the Eagles. He was sat down for ten days in training camp because of an ankle injury. He came back to practice this week, and he’s been working with the second unit. Former New York Jets Tackle Mekhi Becton has been getting reps with the first team. Some believe that this is a sign that Becton has already outright won the starting right guard job.
Becton is a massive human who struggled to stay healthy over his tenure with the Jets. Becton’s potential is still very good as a powerful offensive lineman who could have a career renaissance at right guard. However, with his injury history, it’s likely the Eagles will still have to rely on Steen as well. Losing Jason Kelce will surely have an impact on the Eagles offensive line. However, if they can find gold in Becton, it can go a long way in maintaining one of the best offensive lines in the league.
Johnny Wilson
There have been a couple of pleasant surprises from Eagles training camp the past couple of weeks, with Johnny Wilson being one of them. A sixth-round pick in the 2024 draft, Johnny Wilson is a massive receiver. He stands at 6’6” and 238 pounds, and many believe his performances have landed him in the conversation as the Eagles’ third wide receiver.
There weren’t many expectations for Wilson going into training camp, but the hype he’s garnered has been concrete. At the very least, he will be a fun watch for fans during the Eagles preseason because of his stature and potential. The Eagles’ third receiver spot is a spot that is important for Kellen Moore’s new offense. If Wilson makes plays in August, he could certainly find himself on the field a lot in September.
Reserve Edge Rushers
With the first unofficial Eagles depth chart out, Bryce Huff and Josh Sweat are the listed starters on each edge. While that may not change before the start of the season, many Eagles fans are interested in the depth at edge rusher. Nolan Smith was an exciting prospect last year that fans are still eager to see. Eagles rookie Jalyx Hunt and veteran Patrick Johnson have been the other surprising Eagles standouts from training camp so far. These three will be crucial in providing the depth on the defensive line the Eagles covet. Nolan Smith will want to meet the first-round hype placed on him. If he can break out in his second year, his versatility would be a great addition to this Eagles defense.
Final Thoughts Going into Eagles Preseason
Fans can’t wait to put the horrific end of 2023 behind them with a new year of Eagles preseason. While the scars of last season still have fans a little apprehensive, this Eagles team is as talented as any in the league. The linebackers and secondary will also be something to watch, as they were big problems last season. With many changes to the roster, there will still be some wrinkles to iron out. Yet, after the way 2023 ended, those changes should bring excitement to a team that looked stale before.
Main Image: Bill Streicher – USA Today Sports
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