Predicting Eagles' Breakout Players at 2023 OTAs, Minicamp
The Philadelphia Eagles had an assortment of breakout players in 2022, and those key contributors helped them win an NFC championship and reach Super Bowl LVII.
They are now hoping for a similar result in 2023, albeit with one additional win at the end of the season. And if they're going to get back to the Super Bowl for a second straight year, it will again take some breakout performers along the way.
Although the upcoming season is still more than three months away, Philadelphia's prep work will begin well before then. The team is set to hold OTA offseason workouts on May 30, June 1-2, June 5-6 and June 8.
Here's a look at several Eagles players who could start breakout seasons with strong showings at those upcoming offseason activities.
Nakobe Dean, LB
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Linebacker Nakobe Dean recorded only 13 tackles during his rookie season. But that's because he didn't get a ton of opportunities, serving mostly on special teams over his 17 games.
The Georgia product was blocked on the depth chart by T.J. Edwards and Kyzir White. However, that's no longer the case heading into 2023, with Edwards on the Chicago Bears and White moving to the Arizona Cardinals.
Dean will get every opportunity to become the Eagles' starting MLB heading into Week 1. The 22-year-old has a strong chance to seize the job, as he showcased his high potential throughout his college career and now has a year of NFL experience under his belt.
Philadelphia no longer has a ton of depth at middle linebacker, with Shaun Bradley likely to be the primary backup. So, the team needs Dean to step up and become a force in the middle of its defense, which will also be beneficial for the long-term future.
Reed Blankenship, S
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During the 2022 season, Reed Blankenship went from undrafted free agent to key contributor in the Eagles' secondary. He went on to play 10 games as a rookie (including four starts), and he recorded 34 tackles and an interception.
Now, the 24-year-old will look to build on that solid performance in his 2023 sophomore campaign. And he should have plenty of opportunities to do so.
Philadelphia lost a pair of safeties this offseason, as C.J. Gardner-Johnson signed with the Detroit Lions and Marcus Epps moved to the Las Vegas Raiders. The Eagles signed Terrell Edmunds and added Sydney Brown in the third round of the NFL draft, but Blankenship should still factor into the mix. Maybe he'll even secure a starting job.
No matter what role the Middle Tennessee product has, he should make an impact. He could even be in store for a big season now that he has some NFL experience.
Cam Jurgens, OG
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Like Dean, Cam Jurgens didn't get a chance to play much as a rookie in 2022. He served as the Eagles' backup center to Jason Kelce, which meant he didn't get a lot of time on the field.
It's clear Philadelphia is high on the 23-year-old as a player, though, considering it used a second-round pick to acquire him in the 2022 draft. He just wasn't going to supplant Kelce as the starting center (and he again won't heading into 2023).
However, the Nebraska product will have an opportunity to become the starting right guard. It will likely be him, Jack Driscoll and rookie Tyler Steen (a third-round pick) battling for the job.
Jurgens has a good chance of winning that spot, and he could begin to prove that during the team's offseason activities. He should be ready to take on a larger role, and he could become a long-term anchor for the Eagles' O-line once given an opportunity.
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