Tag: nakobe dean

Vic Fangio on Eagles’ biggest position battles: CB, LB, and maybe edge rusher

Vic Fangio says the Philadelphia Eagles biggest position battles are at cornerback, inside linebacker and edge rusher

The Eagles have a loaded roster, but the biggest uncertainties and position battles will likely occur on the defensive side of the ball.

On Thursday, new defensive coordinator Vic Fangio addressed the media and was asked about the biggest and most intense position battles. It was no surprise that the cornerback spot opposite Darius Slay, the inside linebacker spot, and the edge rusher would see the most competition.

Quinyon Mitchell, Isaiah Rodgers, and Kelee Ringo will battle for the cornerback spot opposite Darius Slay. Devin White should be a Day 1 starter at the inside linebacker spot, leaving Zack Baun, Nakobe Dean, Oren Burks, and Jeremiah Trotter Jr. to battle for the weak-side linebacker spot.

At the edge rusher spot, Bryce Huff is a Day 1 starter, but Josh Sweat, Brandon Graham, Nolan Smith, and others could all compete for that role.

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Eagles training camp: Highlights from Day 1 of practice

After months of waiting, and stories about Jalen Hurts and head coach Nick Sirianni, the Eagles returned to the NovaCare Complex, for their first training camp practice of 2024. New additions like Saquon Barkley, Bryce Huff and Quinyon Mitchell took …

After months of waiting, and stories about Jalen Hurts and head coach Nick Sirianni, the Eagles returned to the NovaCare Complex, for their first training camp practice of 2024.

New additions like Saquon Barkley, Bryce Huff and Quinyon Mitchell took the field on Wednesday, while rookie defensive back Cooper DeJean will miss three weeks with a hamstring injury.

Here are highlights from Day 1 of action.

Eagles updated 90-man roster arranged by uniform number ahead of training camp

We’re looking at the Philadelphia Eagles updated 90-man roster by uniform number ahead of Tuesday’s report date for training camp

The Eagles are just 12 away from being back on the field for the start of one of the most critical training camps in franchise history.

After signing seven undrafted free agents following the draft, Philadelphia has a full roster, including Laekin Vakalahi, who’ll be exempt from a roster spot as the team’s representative in the International Pathway Program.

After the team placed offensive tackle Le’Raven Clark on injured reserve, it released tight end Noah Togiai and signed cornerback Shon Stephens. Philadelphia now has a roster space for one player ahead of the July 23 report date for rookies and veterans.

With things about to ramp up, here’s an updated 90-player roster for the Eagles.

Eagles breakout candidates for 2024: No. 10 TE Albert Okwuegbunam Jr.

Philadelphia has a stacked offensive unit, a retooled defense, and two versatile studs at the coordinator positions in Kellen Moore (OC) and Vic Fangio (DC). There are few holes on the roster, but there is plenty of room for younger guys and select …

Philadelphia has a stacked offensive unit, a retooled defense, and two versatile studs at the coordinator positions in Kellen Moore (OC) and Vic Fangio (DC).

There are few holes on the roster, but there is plenty of room for younger guys and select veterans to have a breakout season, cementing the revamped Eagles as a Super Bowl favorite.

On offense, there are several candidates for the NFL’s Offensive Player of the Year, while the defense has an All-Pro candidate at defensive tackle and young elite talent at cornerback. Ten players are poised for a breakout season, and with training camp quickly approaching, we’re previewing each player.

Breakout candidate No. 10 is the immensely athletic Albert Okwuegbunam Jr.

Before being a fourth-round pick of the Broncos in 2020, Okwuegbunam had a successful career for the Missouri Tigers.

2× Second-team All-SEC (2017, 2019)
All-SEC Freshman Team (2017)

A 2020 4th-round pick, Okweugbunam logged 54 catches for 546 yards and four scores in 3 seasons in Denver.

Philadelphia acquired Okwuegbunam from Denver after the 2023 preseason finale that saw the versatile tight end catch seven passes for 109 yards and a touchdown. But the Broncos didn’t have room for him on their roster, so they made a deal with the Eagles.

Philadelphia traded a 2025 sixth-round pick and a 2025 seventh-rounder to the Broncos last August and decided not to utilize the pass catcher at all the previous seasons under offensive coordinator Brian Johnson.

A fourth-round pick out of Missouri, Okweugbunam was targeted just once in four games of action last season and did not have a catch.

He’ll return under first-year offensive coordinator Kellen Moore and should find a role with the innovative play-caller. Look for Moore to incorporate Okwuegbunam more into the passing game.

Moore will bring a modern offense that heavily features pre-snap motion and aggressive, vertical route concepts.

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott had a career year under Moore in 2021, finishing that season with 4,449 passing yards on 68.8% completion percentage while throwing 37 touchdowns and ten interceptions.

Prescott achieved career highs in passing attempts twice with Moore, with 596 in 2019 and 2021.

The idea that Okwuegbunam would return in 2024 after being barely used last season gives insight into how poorly coached the Eagles were on offense.

Even with Dallas Goedert injured for almost a month, Brian Johnson never found a role for the talented pass catcher.

Howie Roseman’s do-over indicates that Okwuegbunam’s lack of usage in 2023 was on the staff, not the player.

Takeaways and observations from Day 2 of Eagles’ mandatory minicamp

Philadelphia has one practice left before breaking until the late July training camp, and the Eagles are implementing a new offensive and defensive system. Wednesday was Day 2 of the Eagles’ mandatory minicamp, and a familiar face was back at the …

Philadelphia has one practice left before breaking until the late July training camp, and the Eagles are implementing a new offensive and defensive system.

Wednesday was Day 2 of the Eagles’ mandatory minicamp, and a familiar face was back at the NovaCare Complex, as Fletcher Cox appeared amid his retirement adjustment.

There are battles for the cornerback spot opposite Darius Slay and at middle linebacker, where Nakobe Dean will work to hold off Zack Baum alongside Devin White.

With the second day completed, we’re looking at takeaways and observations from the session.

It’s only an early preview, but Quinyon Mitchell, Kelee Ringo, and Isaiah Rodgers are set to have an intense battle for the cornerback spot opposite Darius Slay.

Don’t look now, but Ross could easily land Philadelphia’s third or fourth wide receiver spot. The speedy former first-round pick took first-team snaps on Wednesday and has been active during two days of practice.

Devin White appears to be the only lock as a starter, while Nakobe Dean and Zack Baun will continue to battle for the inside linebacker job.

The future Hall of Famer appeared at the NovaCare Complex in street clothes for the first time since retiring.

With Landon Dickerson absent and Trevor Keegan injured, Mekhi Becton logged first-team snaps at left guard.

Kellen Moore is installing a new offensive system, and Wednesday presents some frustrations for Jalen Hurts and company.

The former Georgia running back has fresh legs and is starting to emerge as a training camp dark horse to watch in the running back competition.

Highlights from Day 2 of Eagles mandatory minicamp

Wednesday was Day 2 of the Eagles’ mandatory minicamp, and a familiar face was back at the NovaCare Complex, as Fletcher Cox appeared amid his retirement adjustment. Philadelphia has one practice left before breaking until the late July training …

Wednesday was Day 2 of the Eagles’ mandatory minicamp, and a familiar face was back at the NovaCare Complex, as Fletcher Cox appeared amid his retirement adjustment.

Philadelphia has one practice left before breaking until the late July training camp, and the Eagles are implementing a new offensive and defensive system. There are battles for the cornerback spot opposite Darius Slay and at middle linebacker, where Nakobe Dean will work to hold off Zack Baum alongside Devin White.

With the second day completed, we’re looking at highlights and photos from the session.

Highlights from Day 1 of Eagles mandatory minicamp

After nine weeks of offseason workouts and six OTA sessions, the Eagles hit the practice field at the NovaCare Complex for the first three-day, mandatory minicamp since the 2019 season. Tuesday was the first official day for Kellen Moore and Vic …

After nine weeks of offseason workouts and six OTA sessions, the Eagles hit the practice field at the NovaCare Complex for the first three-day, mandatory minicamp since the 2019 season.

Tuesday was the first official day for Kellen Moore and Vic Fangio to build depth charts for their versatile and explosive units.

It’s the first minicamp of the post-Jason Kelce, Fletcher Cox era, and it featured new faces and players evolving as new leaders. James Bradberry returned to the field after missing all OTAs, while Pro Bowl left guard Landon Dickerson was absent.

With Day 2 scheduled for Wednesday, here are highlights and video from the practice.

Eagles 2024 OTAs: Photos from Day 5 of practice

The Eagles kicked off the next phase of their offseason program this week with OTAs at the NovaCare Complex and we have the best photos from Day 5 of practice

The Philadelphia Eagles kicked off the next phase of their offseason program this week with organized team activities at the NovaCare Complex.

Philadelphia conducted their fifth practice of OTAs on Thursday, which was open to the media and allowed some glimpses at star quarterback Jalen Hurts, wide receiver A.J. Brown, running back Saquon Barkley and the team’s rebuilt defense that made a strong impression.

Here’s a look at some photos from Thursday’s practice:

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Eagles announce dates for rookie minicamp, OTAs and mandatory minicamp

The Philadelphia Eagles will hold their rookie minicamp on May3-4

The Eagles added nine talented rookies on NFL draft weekend, and they’ll hit the practice field immediately after the NFL and the team announce the dates for their rookie minicamp.

Philadelphia and Green Bay will hold workouts this weekend on Friday, May 3, and Saturday, May 4. Baltimore, Seattle, and the New York Jets will spend Friday, May 3, Saturday, May 4, and Sunday, May 5, holding their rookie minicamp.

OTA Offseason Workouts: May 20, May 22-23, May 28, May 30-31
Mandatory Minicamp: June 4-6
Rookie Minicamp: May 3-4

Twenty-six other teams will begin next week, while the defending Super Bowl Chiefs holding sessions on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday.

Philadelphia is currently finalizing what should be a seven-man undrafted class, while Quinyon Mitchell (22), Cooper DeJean (40), and Jeremiah Trotter Jr. (155) headline a nine-man draft class full of athleticism and versatility.

Eagles updated 76-player roster as 2024 offseason program gets underway

We’re looking at the Philadelphia Eagles updated 76 man roster as the offseason workout program gets underway

The Eagles are back at the NovaCare Complex as the offseason program begins for 76 select veterans and second-year players.

The nine-week training program has three phases: one mandatory minicamp for the entire roster and one rookie minicamp for each group.

Phase One consists of the first two weeks of the program, with activities limited to meetings, strength and conditioning, and physical rehabilitation only.

Phase Two consists of the next three weeks of the program with on-field workouts, which may include individual or group instruction.

Phase Three consists of the next four weeks of the program, during which teams may conduct ten days of organized team practice activities, or “OTAs.”

No live contact is permitted, but 7-on-7, 9-on-7, and 11-on-11 drills are allowed.

The Eagles are changing their offseason program, including adding a mandatory minicamp for the first time under Nick Sirianni. They will have 7 OTAs (May 20, May 22-23, May 28, May 30-31) and three days of mandatory minicamp (June 4-6). In 2022 and 2023, they had six total OTAs.

With the workouts and on-field training underway, we’re looking at Philadelphia’s updated 76-player roster ahead of next week’s NFL draft.