Eagles' Position Battles to Watch Ahead of 2024 NFL Season

While the Philadelphia Eagles made a number of additions during free agency and the 2024 NFL draft, most of their key roster spots will be unchanged or unchallenged heading into training camp.

Jalen Hurts remains the quarterback, while key contributors like A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, Dallas Goedert, Darius Slay, Jordan Mailata and Lane Johnson are in no danger of losing their starting jobs.

New running back Saquon Barkley should be stepping right into an every-down role.

However, Philadelphia does have a few spots that need to be settled between now and Week 1. With organized team activities (OTAs) already underway, now's a great time to dive into how those position battles might unfold.

Here, you'll find a look at three ongoing Eagles competitions worth following through the remainder of the 2024 offseason.

Center

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Cam Jurgens

The Eagles face the unenviable task of replacing center Jason Kelce, who retired early in the offseason. It won't be easy, as Kelce was an anchor on the interior and the catalyst of Philly's infamous quarterback-push play.

2022 second-round pick Cam Jurgens is the top candidate to replace Kelce, even though he isn't trying to step directly into Kelce's shoes.

"At the end of the day just be myself you know," Jurgens told reporters in April. "I'm not trying to be somebody's replacement or somebody's next person."

While Jurgens was seemingly drafted to be Kelce's eventual heir, he had some success starting at right guard last season. The Eagles are unlikely to simply hand him the center job, and they added former Atlanta Falcons center Matt Hennessy in free agency.

While Jurgens should get every opportunity to win the gig, the Eagles could decide to keep him at guard and lean on Hennessy in the middle. Backup linemen Sua Opeta and Jack Driscoll both departed this offseason, so Philly will likely explore every avenue for solidifying its line.

The goal will be to replace Kelce as seamlessly as possible, so whatever competition there is between Jurgens and Hennessy this offseason will be worth watching.

Cornerback

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New Eagles CB Quinyon Mitchell

While Jurgens may be the front-runner for the center spot, the Eagles are likely to have a wide-open competition at cornerback. Darius Slay remains a reliable starter, but James Bradberry took a significant step in the wrong direction this past season.

Bradberry started 16 games but allowed an opposing passer rating of 114.3 in coverage.

Cornerback is a position the Eagles have to get right. Their 31st-ranked pass defense was a major liability in 2023 and part of the reason Philadelphia experienced an early playoff exit.

The Eagles brought back Avonte Maddox on a reduced contract and added cornerbacks Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean at the top of the draft. The rookies should get plenty of chances to earn early playing time, though their presence doesn't guarantee that Bradberry and/or Maddox will be out of the Week 1 starting lineup.

It's important to note that Philadelphia has a new defensive coordinator in Vic Fangio, and his zone-based scheme does play to Bradberry's strengths. There's a very real chance that the Eagles work Mitchell and DeJean onto the field slowly, even if fans are clamoring to see them.

Regardless of who starts in September, Philly has more talent and depth at corner than it did a year ago. That's a net positive, though seeing how the starting lineup shapes up will be fun.

Third Wide Receiver

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New Eagles WR Parris Campbell

For as dangerous as the Eagles passing attack was in 2023, quarterback Jalen Hurts didn't have many reliable targets behind A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith and tight end Dallas Goedeert. Olamide Zaccheaus ranked third among Philadelphia wideouts with only 164 receiving yards.

Finding a reliable third receiver will be a boon to the Eagles offense.

Philadelphia took a couple of swings at the role during free agency, adding Parris Campbell and DeVonte Parker. While Parker later announced his retirement, the Eagles also added Texas A&M's Ainias Smith and Florida State's Johnny Wilson in the draft.

Britain Covey, who had four catches for 42 yards last season, returns to the receiver room as well.

The Eagles' passing offense should be aided by the addition of Barkley, who is a do-it-all playmaker when healthy. However, new offensive coordinator Kellen Moore will have a lot more flexibility if he can regularly use three-receiver personnel groupings.

Campbell—who wasn't regularly used by the New York Giants last season but had 623 yards with the Indianapolis Colts in 2022—has the edge in experience. However, Philly is sure to give the WR3 job to whoever shows the most consistency and potential during the offseason.

Expect this battle to draw plenty of buzz in the coming weeks.

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*Advanced statistics from Pro Football Reference.