These practices don’t have pads or hitting or even anything that really resembles real football.
It’s still a chance for players with plenty to prove.
The Eagles kick off OTAs this week and we already know the rookie class will want to prove they belong in the NFL, so we’re taking them out of our thought process for a moment. Because OTAs can also be a proving ground for guys who have already been in the league.
Stay in the game with the latest updates on your beloved Philadelphia sports teams! Sign up here for our All Access Daily newsletter.
Here are 10 on the Eagles’ roster:
Nate Sudfeld
The Eagles brought in Cody Kessler to compete with Sudfeld, but Sudfeld is entering his third season with the Eagles, while this will be Kessler’s third team in three years. The Eagles already paid Sudfeld $3 million for this season, so they have a vested interest in his winning the backup job. And Sudfeld should have an advantage based on his familiarity with the offense. He should come out in these OTAs and be wayyyy ahead of Kessler, building a lead that can’t be overcome.
Tre Sullivan
The Eagles signed Andrew Sendejo and claimed Blake Countess, but Tre Sullivan still has a chance to win the Eagles’ pretty important third safety job. Undrafted out of Shepard in 2017, Sullivan played important snaps late in 2018 and might have more room to grow. Sendejo isn’t a lock for the team and Countess hasn’t played a ton on defense in the league.
Cre’Von LeBlanc
One of the big revelations of last season was LeBlanc, whom the Eagles claimed off waivers in November. He shored up the nickel cornerback spot and now "Strap" has a chance to win a job again this season, but there’s some competition. LeBlanc needs to prove last year wasn’t a fluke.
NFL
Mack Hollins
After a decent rookie season for a fourth-rounder, Hollins lost his 2017 season in mysterious fashion. A few days after he said he was healthy, the Eagles put him on IR and we haven’t seen him since. He’s presumably healthy now and he needs to prove it.
Braxton Miller
He came aboard during last season as a practice squad player but might still have upside. The former third-round pick is 26 but is relatively new to the receiver position. Doug Pederson has talked up Miller this offseason, so maybe he could find a role as a gadget player/return man on the roster.
Treyvon Hester
The Eagles added Hassan Ridgeway in a trade but Hester can still fight for playing time, which will be somewhat limited behind Fletcher Cox, Malik Jackson and Tim Jernigan. Hester should have an advantage because he’s been in the defense for a while and already gave the Eagles solid snaps last season.
Josh Sweat
It was a disappointing rookie season for Sweat, who played just 68 snaps with four tackles before ending the year on IR with an ankle injury in December. But he certainly looks the part and important spring and summer camps await him as he battles for a roster spot.
Greg Ward
After a brief stint in the short-lived AAF, Ward has another shot at an NFL roster. The former college QB is another one like Miller who could become a gadgety/return man in the NFL, but his chances are running out.
Nathan Gerry
A fifth-round pick in 2017, Gerry hasn’t gotten many opportunities on defense, but he did play 134 snaps last season. He’ll be fighting for a roster spot with Paul Worrilow, T.J. Edwards and B.J. Bello. The thing to remember about Gerry is that he’s making a position switch from college safety and is more athletic than those guys. I still like his chances.
Blake Countess
The Eagles claimed Countess and then extended him for a year but that extension also included a pay cut for 2019. So how much do they really like him? We’ll start to see that pretty soon. First, Countess will need to show he’s learned a thing or two in his years away from the Eagles. Like Tre Sullivan, he will be fighting for playing time this year if he makes the team.
Click here to download the MyTeams App by NBC Sports! Receive comprehensive coverage of your teams and stream the Flyers, Sixers and Phillies games easily on your device.