Eagles' Players With Most to Prove in Preseason Week 1

The Philadelphia Eagles have one giant concern on their defense.

Nick Sirianni's team needs a few linebackers to step up in preseason to make the coaching staff feel confident about the position.

The Eagles have a mix of veterans, young players who need to take the next step and rookies all fighting for the starting spots at the position.

Two players in particular will be under spotlight. Nakobe Dean needs to show improvements, while Jeremiah Trotter Jr. has a ton of potential to grow.

The Eagles have a few other positions that require an intense focus in preseason, but linebacker is where they need to sort things out the most.

Nakobe Dean

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PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - NOVEMBER 5: Nakobe Dean #17 of the Philadelphia Eagles reacts against the Dallas Cowboys at Lincoln Financial Field on November 5, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)

Nakobe Dean needs to prove he can be a starting linebacker in the NFL.

The 2022 third-round pick only played in five games last season due to injuries and now he faces a crucial third year in the professional ranks.

The Eagles brought in Zack Baun and Devin White to provide veteran help at the position, and they could easily swipe two of the starting jobs.

Dean can still have a say in that decision making with a strong preseason, starting with Friday's matchup against the Baltimore Ravens.

Philadelphia's best-case scenario is for two-deep depth to emerge at linebacker, but that has to be proven in preseason.

Jeremiah Trotter Jr.

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CLEMSON, SC - NOVEMBER 18: Clemson Tigers linebacker Jeremiah Trotter Jr. (54) pursues a play on defense during a college football game against the North Carolina Tar Heels on November 18, 2023 at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Jeremiah Trotter Jr. probably has the most to gain among the Eagles rookies in preseason.

The fifth-round pick out of Clemson could surge as high up as a starting role on the depth chart. He's received some first-team reps already in training camp.

Trotter will be in direct competition with Dean, Nolan Smith and others to fill the three starting linebacker spots in Vic Fangio's defense.

A strong preseason would solidify a role within the defense for the rookie, which is the best-case scenario for the Eagles given how much they need out of the position.

Isaiah Rodgers

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ARLINGTON, TX - DECEMBER 04: Isaiah Rodgers #34 of the Indianapolis Colts warms up against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium on December 4, 2022 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)

Isaiah Rodgers has plenty of motivation to prove himself to the Eagles coaching staff in preseason.

The cornerback was signed in the offseason after he was suspended for a year for violating the NFL's gambling polcy.

Rodgers, who played three seasons in Indianapolis, has the potential to be an asset to an Eagles secondary that struggled mightily at the back end of the 2023 season.

Rodgers can be a solid backup to first-round pick Quinyon Mitchell and Darius Slay to start the season, if he performs well in preseason.

The fresh start in Philadelphia could be incredibly beneficial to Rodgers' career, and if he succeeds, the Eagles should feel more confident about their defensive back issues.