Sure, we know who most of the starters will be when the Eagles begin training camp in late July.
But there will be plenty of intrigue for some starting spots. That’s because at least two longtime starters could be in danger of either losing their starting job or seeing their playing time decline drastically.
That is somewhat rare for a playoff team that returns most of its starters from last season. Yet the Eagles are still in the process of turning over a veteran-laden roster from the Super Bowl season of 2017, and that means younger players could get a chance to play.
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“I’m really excited about the new additions that we have, and I’m excited to work with these guys,” Eagles coach Nick Sirianni said. “And again, all these guys, not just the newcomers, but I just see guys taking steps and climbing and getting a little better.”
Here, then, are some position battles that will bear watching once training camp begins:
1. Right guard
Isaac Seumalo vs. Jack Driscoll and Cam Jurgens
Seumalo has started at left guard for the Eagles since early in the 2018 season. But Seumalo suffered a Lisfranc injury in his foot in Week 3 last season that ended his season and required two surgeries.
During that time, Landon Dickerson established himself as the starting left guard next to left tackle Jordan Mailata. So Seumalo is being moved to right guard to replace Brandon Brooks, who retired after he, too, missed most of last season with an injury.
But Seumalo, who said he’s not sure if he’ll be fully cleared to practice when training camp begins, knows that he’ll have competition.
Driscoll, in his third season, has shown promise. But he missed five games as a rookie in 2020 and eight more last season with injuries.
That could leave an opening for Jurgens, the second-round pick. Jurgens, of course, was drafted as a center to ultimately replace Jason Kelce. Jurgens never played guard at Nebraska. But if he’s a quick learner, it’s quite possible that he can find himself starting Week 1.
“First and foremost, every year you’re competing,” Seumalo said. “It doesn’t matter if you’re a 12-year All-Pro or a first-year rookie. You got to come in with that mindset that they’re always gonna bring in somebody to compete for your job.
“But I think when I’m healthy, I think the film says a lot. … I definitely feel when I’m when I’m good, ready to go, I’ll be out there playing well.”
2. Defensive tackle
Fletcher Cox vs. Jordan Davis
It seems almost blasphemous to think that Cox could be in jeopardy of losing his starting job.
But Davis seems to be a better fit for the flexibility of defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon’s defense, especially when Gannon wants to go with a 3-4 front. At 6-foot-6, 341 pounds, Davis can easily serve as the nose tackle.
And Davis’ speed of 4.78 in the 40-yard dash could also make him effective in pass-rushing downs when the Eagles switch to four or five defensive linemen.
Cox will likely still start. But he has played at least 67% of the snaps in every season but his rookie season of 2012. With a rotation that includes Davis, Javon Hargrave, coming off a Pro Bowl season, and Milton Williams, a third-round pick last season, the playing time should be much more evenly distributed.
3. Linebacker
T.J. Edwards vs. Nakobe Dean and Kyzir White
This, too, is a situation where Dean, the Eagles’ third-round pick, could end up starting Week 1. The Eagles added Kyzir White as a free agent. And while he has been a starter with the Chargers, he only signed a one-year deal.
Edwards has started off and on ever since the Eagles signed him as an undrafted free agent in 2019.
For Dean, it’s a matter of how quickly he picks up Gannon’s defense, and if he can stay healthy. After all, Dean was projected by many to be a late first-round pick until many teams were scared off by a pectoral muscle strain.
But Dean participated in rookie minicamp and the spring practices without any known issues.
4. Defensive end
Josh Sweat vs. Derek Barnett
This competition doesn’t involve a young player, but there will be plenty of intrigue because Barnett once represented the future at defensive end, especially after his contributions during the Eagles’ Super Bowl run as a rookie.
But Barnett never lived up to that promise, especially last season when he had just 2.5 sacks and committed several undisciplined penalties. The Eagles, in fact, let Barnett become a free agent during the offseason before re-signing him to a one-year deal worth nearly half his 2021 salary of $10 million.
Meanwhile, Sweat, a fourth-round pick in 2018, tied for the team lead last season with 7½ sacks. Brandon Graham is back after missing most of last season with a torn Achilles, and Haason Reddick was added as a free agent.
It’s possible that the loser of this competition might not play much.
5. Safety
Marcus Epps vs. K’Von Wallace
This competition seems like a foregone conclusion as Epps was rotating in last season with veterans Rodney McLeod and Anthony Harris.
Now that McLeod left in free agency, it’s expected that the job is Epps’ to lose next to Harris. But the Eagles drafted Wallace in the fourth round in 2020, and he has started three games in each of his previous two seasons.
If Wallace has a strong training camp, it’s quite possible that he can work his way into a starting role.
Contact Martin Frank at mfrank@delawareonline.com. Follow on Twitter @Mfranknfl
