The NFL regular season is in sniffing distance. Tonight’s 20-19 loss to the Ravens in the opening round of the preseason left a stench most unsavory (if you care about Eagles preseason like I do), but the positives were not hard to pick out. Tonight was the first hands on indication of who could have a future with the birds, and plenty of deep gems on the roster came to the forefront to state their case. Here is a list of players that I noticed making positive impacts with their reps.
D’Andre Swift, RB, #0
While there was never a doubt Swift will make the roster, to see him make plays in his one drive with the second team was an exciting breath of fresh air. In the game’s opening drive, Swift showed off the footwork and getaway speed:
Despite the small sample size, this can help the former Georgia Bulldog stand out. With plenty of talent in the running back room, he will have to fight for as many touches as possible. Early indications show that Kenneth Gainwell trends toward winning the starting role, however if Swift can keep establishing himself he will tote the rock tons. The committee backfield is deep and strong, and D’Andre Swift will be a key part of it.
Jalen Carter, DT, #98
The Eagles did not let this Georgia rookie get many reps (he only appeared in the first quarter), but his impact loomed large. The number 9 overall selection of the 2023 draft did this on his first ever NFL snap:
Jalen Carter could make the average viewer question who the rookie is in reps like this. The loss of Javon Hargrave would hurt the Eagles a lot more if Carter did not show immediate signs of being ready. Reports in camp of the defensive tackle’s dominance match what we saw tonight; an absolute game wrecker. Of course the sample size is small, but Carter is looking real special out of the gate.
Jack Driscoll, T, #63
More known as the backup-to-all-starter-to-few chess piece of the Eagles Oline, Jack Driscoll had quite the solid day in pass protection. Driscoll was flying out of his stance, getting good punches and setting strong perimeters as a starting right tackle tonight. His performance becomes more worthy of awe when you recognize his edge rushing opponent was former top prospect David Ojabo. Despite the Ravens sending blitzes, the Auburn product held his own, and helped sealed edges for quarterback Marcus Mariota to scramble around. When Driscoll was replaced by Dennis Kelly, the difference was almost night and day. Jack Driscoll was shiftier than expected, and won the night because of it.
Christian Elliss, LB, #53
With injuries piling up in the linebacker room, the state of the position is quite volatile. Considering the Eagles ranked 16th in run defense last year, the Eagles are desperate for gems to emerge in camp. Elliss might be one of those guys. Traditionally a special teamer, Elliss has been working into a starting role in camp, and showed why in a big way. On the first snap from the Ravens, the former Idaho Vandal blew up a jet sweep to Zay Flowers. While he didn’t complete the tackle, the raw speed and pursuit were awe inspiring to get there. His special teams explosiveness was on full display to say the least.
We need to see more from Elliss before the spot is his, but so far he is doing everything right. If the Nakobe Dean injury is serious and Myles Jack/Zach Cunningham can’t get up to speed in time, look out for an opening day starting off ball tandem of Nicholas Morrow and Christian Elliss. Learn the name, love the player.
K’Von Wallace, S, #42
The now 4th year safety from Clemson has been inconsistent at best to start his career. However, in the late goings of 2022, Wallace found his mojo as a downhill thumper kind of safety. His newfound tendencies to throw his body on the line in the run game were on display tonight. Wallace, despite playing with the third team, got downhill fast to lay the hammer on purple jerseys.
This bodes well for Wallace who can make a living out of this in a Sean Desai defense. Only one starting safety spot is confirmed (Reed Blankenship), and Desai is deciding between a few thumpers to compliment him. Desai has worked with hard nosed safeties like Jamal Adams and Eddie Jackson. The signing of Terrell Edmunds shows this Eagles defense wants a free-roaming hard hitter as a strong safety, which suits Wallace’s strengths perfectly. Another shocking thought, with Shaun Bradley’s injury tonight, could Wallace get time as a sub package linebacker? Time will tell, but it would not be out of the realm of possibility.
Tanner McKee, QB, #10
The antithesis of Jalen Hurts drafted in the 6th round is in an intense battle for the QB 3 spot with 3rd year shot caller Ian Book. Tonight, it seemed like McKee had that spot locked down. The Stanford rookie went 10-20 for almost 150 yards in 2 quarters of work, but the numbers don’t tell the full story. The downfield accuracy was pristine. McKee was hitting contested receivers with the effortless flare of dropping a dime in a bucket. He threw with anticipation to places only his guys could get it. An impressive back shoulder drop to Tyrie Cleveland on a third down was like watching poetry in motion. Some of his more impressive throws, like a cross-body, would be touchdown to Joseph Ngata in the third did not count. McKee looked like a seasoned vet in complete control of his offense. He even scrambled once!
One nit-pick: the accuracy left room for improvement when pockets broke down. This is the norm for rookies. Otherwise, he made Ian Book look like a junior varsity backup with his poise, effortless downfield delivery, pocket presence and vision.
Trey Sermon, RB, #22
Trey Sermon put his downhill running ability on display in the backfield and on special teams. The former Sooner’s role on this team was previously unknown coming into the game. Now we have some answers. Sermon was the kick returner tonight and made the most of his reps, getting beyond the 25 yard line twice. To be practical, Sermon’s chances of significant touches this season are slim, but in the preseason coaches like seeing who they can rely on for their special teams. The Eagles had a bottom of the barrel special teams unit in 2022 with one primary returner. Sermon’s performance tonight gave the Eagles options to explore, which indicates the running back may have found an avenue onto the 52 again.
The UDFA DBs
I could not choose between Mario Goodrich, Mekhi Garner and Eli Ricks for this last spot, so why not all three? Last year, the Eagles kept UDFA corner Josh Jobe after the preseason, and these three are the candidates to replace him as the last, special teams oriented corner on the roster.
Starting with the corner who showed the best overall performance as a corner tonight in Mario Goodrich. The second year slot corner allowed no completions and was an active participant in stopping the run (a trait the Eagles ~love~ from their slots). If this first game is any indication, the Eagles can have a real discussion between whether Josiah Scott or Mario Goodrich should be the backup slot corner.
Then there’s the guy who almost won Philly the game. The pick six from Eli Ricks would’ve tied the game had the Eagles kicked an extra point instead of going for two. The Alabama rookie paired that up with 2 pass breakups. His flashy plays sure outshined his lapses in coverage which will put him on the coaches map.
And last is Mekhi Garner. After this game, Garner has the best shot of the three to make the team. He did give up that touchdown in the third, but he was a menace on special teams. He forced a fumble to give the Eagles excellent field position in punt coverage, which is what will make him stand out in Philly if he continues. The Eagles punt coverage was putrid in the super bowl, and if the LSU rookie can keep making plays like the one tonight, it will be hard to let him help mend the wounds of the Eagles special teams.
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Jish Sokolsky is a featured writer at The Birds Blitz. For more from Jish, check out his archive and read through our Eagles articles for the latest news about the Birds.
