Philadelphia will hold six OTA sessions and one mandatory mininicamp before Eagles’ training camp and we’re looking at six early position battles to watch
The Super Bowl champions are moving through phase three of the off-season workout program, and have now transitioned to the practice field for installs and game-like activities at the NovaCare Complex.  The Eagles made moves to strengthen some positions and fill pressing roster needs. Philadelphia added ten talented rookies on NFL draft weekend, and several high-profile free agents that will enhance the competition in late July.
Philadelphia will hold six OTA sessions and one mandatory minicamp before the Eagles‘ training camp, and we’re looking at six early position battles to watch.
Backup running back
Saquon Barkley logged 345 rushing attempts in 2024 and 2005 yards rushing in the regular season. After helping Philadelphia win the Super Bowl, the Eagles could be looking to lessen his load slightly in 2025. Will Shipley produced when given opportunities as a rookie, and A.J. Dillon has always been a physical, reliable dual-threat running back. Who’ll win the backup running back spot is something to watch.
3rd WR Spot
A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith are among the top ten at their positions, but both players missed multiple games in 2024. A reliable third option is a must for an offense that’ll see teams shift towards taking away the duo on the outside. Jahan Dotson caught 19 of 33 targets for 216 yards in 17 regular-season games with the Eagles in 2024 after being acquired in a trade from Washington. He also rushed once for 13 yards. Despite his struggles, Dotson played 649 offensive snaps during the regular season for Philadelphia. Dotson improved with time and had his most impactful game of the season during the Eagles’ win over Kansas City in Super Bowl LIX, with two catches for 42 yards on three targets. His most likely competition will come from Terrace Marshall and Johnny Wilson. Wilson, whom the Eagles selected in the sixth round of last year’s NFL Draft, made 16 regular-season appearances during his rookie season in Philadelphia. Wilson finished with five catches for 38 yards and a touchdown. He played on more than 50 percent of Philadelphia’s offensive snaps just three times last season, and will look to carve out a role in 2025.
Right guard position
Tyler Steen lost training camp battles to Cam Jurgens in 2023 and Mekhi Becton in 2024, but has his best shot at earning the Eagles’ right guard position in 2025. He’ll battle former Texans first-round pick Kenyon Green. Still just 23, Green missed two games as a rookie, the entire 2023 season, and five games last season with various injuries. Green started 14 of 15 games as a rookie but was the 77th-highest-graded guard (37.7) out of 77 players in Pro Football Focus rankings that year. Last season, Green was one of the lowest-graded offensive guards in the NFL.
Inside linebacker spot
Zack Baun is an All-Pro; he’ll be the engine that makes the Eagles’ defense perform. He’ll need a running mate as Nakobe Dean works to return from a patellar tendon injury that could cost him most of the 2025 season. That leaves first-round pick Jihaad Campbell, second-year linebacker Jeremiah Trotter Jr., and fifth-round pick Smael Mondon Jr.
Campbell is recovering from shoulder surgery and could be out until training camp. The 6’3″, 235-pounder has sideline-to-sideline speed and impressive coverage skills. He also flourished as a quality pass rusher, registering five sacks in 2024.
Left cornerback position
The Eagles lost Darius Slay (Steelers), James Bradberry (free agent), Avonte Maddox (Lions), and Isaiah Rodgers (Vikings) in free agency and signed Adoree’ Jackson. Even with those moves, Philadelphia didn’t draft a cornerback until the fifth round when they selected Mac McWilliams out of UCF. Williams (5-10, 191) will add some depth on the outside and in the slot, but he was a fifth-round pick for a reason. Ringo is the biggest winner and’ll have the inside track to be a starter.
Safety position
The Eagles traded C.J. Gardner-Johnson to Houston for Kenyon Green, opening up a starting role for Sydney Brown or Tristin McCollum. Brown is a physical safety who is stout on special teams but doesn’t operate efficiently in space or match up against elite pass catchers. Enter Andrew Mukuba, a Swiss army knife from Texas who could keep Brown relegated to special team duties. Mukuba can play the slot, operate in space, and play with range, drawing comparisons to Gardner-Johnson.