The Eagles have a preseason showdown with the Cleveland Browns today and the stakes are high. Maybe not for the team at large, but for a handful of rookies battling for a roster spot or hoping to climb the depth chart. Philadelphia has 21 (!!!) rookies on the team across offense and defense. Not a single one of those players is a lock to start and over a dozen of them aren’t even locks to make the team. Here are some stories to watch.
All eyes on… Drew Kendall
One of the more impressive rookie performances last week was Drew Kendall. The rookie center looked agile, strong, and never lost. Interior offensive line depth is now even more crucial with Landon Dickerson out for a few weeks, so Kendall’s play against a tough Browns defensive line is important to keep track of.
Is Darius Cooper going to get regular season snaps?
The wide receiver depth is a bit of a question mark right now. Jahan Dotson has impressed this summer and the coach staff seems optimistic about his role, but it doesn’t feel like a sure thing.
Darius Cooper had a strong first preseason game, snagging some impressive grabs from Tanner McKee. If he lights it up again, he could be pushing for real snaps come regular season.
Can Ty Robinson be more consistent?
Ty Robinson’s a really intriguing player. He was an older prospect (turned 24 in May … Moro Ojomo turned 24 yesterday) coming out of Nebraska, but his athletic tools made him an exciting addition to this defensive line. Robinson flashed against the Bengals, but also had some real low moments too. If he can show more anchor from down to down, it would make his short term outlook far more optimistic.
