The Most Intriguing Rookie Storylines at Philadelphia Eagles' OTAs

Now that the newest members of the Philadelphia Eagles have had a couple of weeks to settle in, it's time to catch up on the latest buzz surrounding the class of 2015.

Unfortunately, the most intriguing rookie storylines in Philly tend to focus on expectations as opposed to progress, as the Eagles have not yet allowed media access at workouts. That being said, there's still plenty to discuss, especially since these players are only just beginning to get acclimated to life in the NFL.

Ahead, we analyze the narratives forming around some of the Eagles' most talked-about draft picks and what they mean for the franchise this season and beyond.

Nelson Agholor: Rookie of the Year?

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Expectations are already high for first-round pick Nelson Agholor. The 20th overall selection out of USC is expected to be an instant contributor at wide receiver for the Eagles, perhaps—if not likely even—a starter.

Just how high do analysts think Agholor could soar in head coach Chip Kelly's uptempo offense? Some, like ESPN draft expert Todd McShay, per Chris McPherson of PhiladelphiaEagles.com, are suggesting the fourth receiver off the board in the 2015 draft could turn out to be Offensive Rookie of the Year.

It's certainly not implausible, provided Agholor has as large of a role as many presume.

There's actually plenty of competition in Philadelphia's underrated receiving corps. Yes, Pro Bowler Jeremy Maclin bolted during free agency, but it's not as if the club was unprepared, using second- and third-round choices in 2014 on Jordan Matthews and Josh Huff. Veterans Riley Cooper and Miles Austin will act as a buffer in case any of the young wideouts are slow to develop.

Still, Agholor figures to be a regular part of the rotation at the very least, and if he's an every-down player, posting Maclin-like numbers—around 80 receptions, 1,300 yards, 10 touchdowns—isn't out of the question. That sure sounds like a Rookie of the Year candidate to me.

Eric Rowe: Cornerback or Safety?

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Eric Rowe played safety for three years at Utah. In his senior season, Rowe switched to cornerback. Rowe worked out with the safeties at the scouting combine. However, many feel strongly that Rowe can line up at corner in the NFL.

Count Kelly among the believers in Rowe's ability to hold down the fort on the perimeter, describing the second-round draft pick as a prototypical "press corner" to Geoff Mosher for CSNPhilly.com. As Eliot Shorr-Parks for NJ.com later noted, the head coach followed through at Philly's rookie minicamp, starting Rowe off at cornerback.

Of course, that could still change, either this year or down the line. Thus far, however, it appears the Eagles strongly view Rowe as a corner.

What that means for the versatile defensive back is he has a legitimate shot at earning the job at corner opposite free-agent addition Byron Maxwell. Rowe's top competition appears to be unreliable Walter Thurmond and dimeback Nolan Carroll, so if Kelly is right, the Eagles could feature a rookie starter in the secondary.

Jordan Hicks: The Next DeMeco Ryans?

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Kelly has made it no secret he loves DeMeco Ryans, bestowing the two-time Pro Bowler with the nickname Mufasa, not to mention rewarding the interior linebacker with a contract extension this offseason. Meanwhile, Ryans is set to turn 31 and is coming off of an Achilles injury.

Still, Kelly clearly views Ryans' leadership and knowledge as invaluable. Perhaps that's also what the head coach sees in Jordan Hicks, as Mark Eckel for NJ.com suggests: "Scouts and coaches refer to Hicks as a coach on the field; a true leader; the kind of player you wish you had 10 more."

The fact of the matter is Ryans can't play forever—heck, we don't even know how well he'll play in 2015. And while Mychal Kendricks and Kiko Alonso, the latter acquired in a trade, are outstanding, young linebackers, is either going to develop into the quarterback on the defensive side of the ball?

Apparently, Hicks has that capacity. Whether he can be as productive as Ryans, Kendricks or Alonso certainly remains to be seen, but the idea of having a leader in the middle of the defense is clearly one the Eagles believe in.

JaCorey Shepherd: Steal of the Draft?

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Every year, some prospects plummet down draft boards for different reasons. Some believe one such athlete fell to the Eagles all the way in the sixth round in cornerback JaCorey Shepherd. As Brandon Lee Gowton of Bleeding Green Nation shows, the word "steal" has been thrown around quite a bit in regard to Shepherd.

There's no doubt that what hurt the Kansas product's stock was a slow time in the 40-yard dash. However, as Shepherd revealed to Geoff Mosher for CSNPhilly.com, the lack of speed was due in part to a partially torn hamstring. That injury apparently took him from a mid-round draft pick to 191st overall.

Some might say Shepherd proved his wares where it truly mattered, on the football field. As a two-year starter, he recorded five interceptions and 28 pass breakups, the latter figure higher than several of this year's corner prospects produced in three or even four years.

Only time will tell whether Shepherd truly deserves the label of steal—he has a ways to go to even crack the lineup. Yet at the very least, the Eagles seem to have landed a player rated significantly higher than where he was obtained. That's an excellent start, anyway.

Brian Mihalik: Tallest Player in Eagles History?

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As Kelly likes to say, "Big people beat up little people." Do they get any bigger than seventh-round draft pick Brian Mihalik?

Not often. As Reuben Frank for CSNPhilly.com writes, if Mihalik makes the Eagles roster, he would become the biggest player in franchise history at 6'9". The Boston College product would also be tied with 17 other players for second-tallest player in NFL history, behind only former Kansas City Chief Morris Stroud (6'10").

That's great, but can Mihalik play?

That's the part that remains to be seen. Seventh-round selections aren't exactly guaranteed a roster spot to begin with, and Mihalik is extremely raw. In four seasons of college ball, he managed just 16.0 tackles for loss and 8.5 sacks. Of course, Mihalik was also playing defensive tackle in a 4-3 defense. In Philadelphia, he'll be a 5-technique defensive end in a 3-4 alignment.

Still, it's probably a stretch to think Mihalik will make the roster out of training camp. More likely, the Eagles will attempt to stash him on the practice squad, and barring a standout preseason, they will probably succeed. That means if he's going to become one of the tallest people to ever play in the league, Mihalik may have to wait until 2016.