With the NFL draft and undrafted free agent signings now complete, the Eagles held their first day of rookie minicamps on Friday.
Philadelphia had seven draft picks, nine undrafted free agents, 19 official tryout participants, and a handful of selected veterans or second-year players at the NovaCare Complex for two days of sessions and drills.
With Saturday’s session set to begin, here are highlights and takeaways from Philadelphia’s first rookie minicamp.
Sean Desai
The Eagles’ defensive coordinator keeps a low profile but made his on-field debut Friday afternoon with a host of rookies and select veterans.
New Eagles defensive coordinator Sean Desai
📸: @khalifaheather pic.twitter.com/isTsrKESVW
— Josh Tolentino (@JCTSports) May 5, 2023
Nolan Smith
A natural leader, Smith led his position group and other rookies through all the drills, hustling ahead of everyone else.
First day out#FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/N81epvMWSM
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) May 5, 2023
Sydney Brown
Safety Sydney Brown (43) is working on his dropback and settling down pic.twitter.com/TCgPLPR1J2
— Chris Franklin (@cfranklinnews) May 5, 2023
The Illini rookie will be responsible for his share of game-changing plays on the backend.
Sydney Brown leaped and high pointed a handful of footballs during position drills at practice, he’s got some bunnies
— Josh Tolentino (@JCTSports) May 5, 2023
Brown clarified that he’d be ready to contribute as a rookie and expressed optimism about winning an open competition.
“Absolutely, but I think right now it’s just about learning the defense,” Brown said. “Competing, just being able to be the best version of myself every day, earning respect. That’s my mindset going into this. Yeah, there’s an opportunity to start, but it’s about what I do and how I earn the respect of the guys around me, especially the guys that have been here much longer than I have.”
Tyler Steen initially a starter
It is only rookies, and Cam Jurgens wasn’t in attendance, but EJ Smith reports that Steen ran with the first team during his initial practice.
The former Alabama left tackle, wearing former Eagle Isaac Seumalo’s No. 56, lined up at right guard to start position drills. Offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland’s decision to start him off at the spot vacated by Seumalo further signals a potential switch for Steen, who was a prime candidate to bump inside because of his modest arm length relative to most of the league’s tackles.
Tanner McKee
Tanner McKee to Tua Taua #Eagles pic.twitter.com/sdcT2zXD08
— John McMullen (@JFMcMullen) May 5, 2023
The former Stanford signal-caller participated in his first NFL practice, and the strong-armed quarterback will look to unseat Ian Book for the third quarterback spot.
The new #Eagles QB in town at rookie camp. 6th round pick Tanner McKee. @SportsRadioWIP pic.twitter.com/Wn9JgSdfh9
— Howard Eskin (@howardeskin) May 5, 2023
Jadon Haselwood
The former Arkansas wide receiver is a big physical athlete that could land a spot on the 53-man roster.
Austin Proehl and Jadon Haselwood. #Eagles pic.twitter.com/oxod6RdhsK
— John McMullen (@JFMcMullen) May 5, 2023
Jalen Carter's conditioning
The Georgia All-American spent the predraft circuit visiting top ten teams and working to repair his reputation ahead of draft night.
Nolan Smith and Jalen Carter at their first #Eagles practice pic.twitter.com/aj9bTJI6h4
— Eliot Shorr-Parks (@EliotShorrParks) May 5, 2023
Carter had his conditioning questioned on the first day, but Nick Sirianni was again supportive, stating that the defensive tackle would be in shape when it matters most.
“What you’ll see when we are going out there is that we are trying to get everybody back into shape, of football-playing shape,” Sirianni said. “These guys have been in hotels. They have been on 30 visits. They have been getting ready for pro days. They have been getting ready for the combine. So, to say any of them are in really good football shape and they are ready to play a game tomorrow, I would say that’s inaccurate. None of those guys are.
“He looks good,” Sirianni added. “He looked good out there today, but like I said, today wasn’t about finding out who was ready conditioning-wise because, to be quite frank, none of them are.”
Ty Zentner
Arryn Siposs will have competition for the punter position after Philadelphia signed former Kansas State kicker Ty Zentner.
Nolan Smith
Jalen Carter and Nolan Smith working on the sled #Eagles pic.twitter.com/qcgvaVldgt
— Chris Franklin (@cfranklinnews) May 5, 2023
The Bulldogs teammates and three other Georgia defenders are comfortable starting their careers together.
Nolan Smith and Jalen Carter at #Eagles practice: pic.twitter.com/x9UASYAfFP
— Eliot Shorr-Parks (@EliotShorrParks) May 5, 2023
Jalen Carter
Nolan Smith (3) and Jalen Carter (98) working on footwork over pads pic.twitter.com/MJKDAFv8k1
— Chris Franklin (@cfranklinnews) May 5, 2023
New coordinators together
New offensive coordinator Brian Johnson joined Desai, and the two new guys in charge will look to add more explosive plays on offense and fewer big plays on defense.
New Eagles defensive coordinator Sean Desai (beige hat) and new OC Brian Johnson talk before practice #Eagles pic.twitter.com/CHxOKvmu9q
— Chris Franklin (@cfranklinnews) May 5, 2023
Jersey numbers
Fans and experts attempt to base a prospects value or potential for a roster spot on the number assigned from his team respective team.
Philadelphia handed out numbers on Friday and there were a few surprises.
DT Jalen Carter (98)
Edge Nolan Smith (3)
OL Tyler Steen (56)
S Sydney Brown (43) Brown may not be in 43 for long, but it has worked for some organizations; ask the Steelers.
CB Kelee Ringo (37) The former Georgia All-American likely wasn’t happy with his new digits.
QB Tanner McKee (10) McKee and Arryn Sippos are sharing jersey numbers for now.
DT Moro Ojomo (72)
RB D’Andre Swift (0): Swift will be the first Eagle to wear No. 0.
QB Marcus Mariota (8)
WR Olamide Zaccheaus (13)
RB Trey Sermon (22)
RB Rashaad Penny (23)
S Terrell Edmunds (26)
S Justin Evans (30)
CB Greedy Williams (38)
LB Nicholas Morrow (41)
P Ty Zentner (49)
WR Joseph Ngata (86)
WR Jadon Haselwood (87) Haselwood is the first player to wear the number since Brent Celek.
DT Kentavius Street (97)
