Philadelphia Eagles Preseason: Week 2 Stock Report
The Philadelphia Eagles are now halfway through the preseason, and players are beginning to separate from the pack.
The past few weeks, we've been sticking to stocks up. For the first time this summer, I'm introducing stocks down in our weekly training camp and preseason reports on the Eagles.
Playing time and roster spots are on the line. Some players are seizing the opportunities, while others are falling short of expectations and have limited chances remaining to improve.
Time is dwindling. Cutdown day is September 5, and the Eagles' regular-season opener is September 14. These last two weeks could mean a world of difference for some of these players.
Stock Up: Nelson Agholor
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Here's an encouraging sign for the Eagles' rookie wideout: Two games into the preseason, Nelson Agholor leads the team in receptions (seven) and receiving yards (106) and has the lone receiving touchdown, a 34-yard catch-and-run.
Agholor also dropped one pass versus the Indianapolis Colts and was overthrown on a target against the Baltimore Ravens. Simply put, the first-round draft pick out of USC is showing a knack for getting open. That's against first- and second-string defenses, by the way.
As of now, Jordan Matthews, Josh Huff and Riley Cooper are the starting wide receivers. However, there is no question Agholor is going to play a lot this season.
Stock Down: Tim Tebow
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Tim Tebow may throw the ball a bit better than he used to, but he's still hesitant to pull the trigger. That's largely because he's not sure what he's looking at, which was never more evident against the Ravens on Saturday.
On 1st-and-goal from Baltimore's 4-yard line, Tebow had an open receiver directly in front of him streaking across the end zone. Somehow, he never saw him. Tebow managed to make it to the corner and nearly ran it in himself, but he could've been sacked or fumbled in the meantime.
Tebow's mobility may be enticing, but the simple fact of the matter is he's unable to go through his progressions and deliver the football to his receivers. That's what quarterbacks are supposed to do.
Stock Up: Mychal Kendricks
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Without playing so much as a down this preseason, Mychal Kendricks' stock was sent soaring with the news he signed a rich four-year extension with the Eagles. So much for trade rumors and questions of playing time.
It's safe to say Kendricks will be out on the field a ton, and that's great news for the Eagles. The fourth-year veteran is one of the top playmakers in the NFL; he's one of just three players to record at least eight sacks, three interceptions and five forced fumbles over the past two seasons. He can defend the run, rush the passer or drop into coverage.
With 31-year-old DeMeco Ryans trying to come back from a season-ending Achilles injury, it's reassuring that Kendricks will be in the mix for a while.
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Stock Down: Jaylen Watkins
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Once thought to be in the mix for a starting safety job and now competing at nickel cornerback, Jaylen Watkins hasn't done himself many favors in preseason action. While he hasn't necessarily been a liability in coverage, the second-year player has shown little interest in tackling.
Officially, Watkins has been credited with six tackles this summer. However, according to Pro Football Focus, he's also missed three, including a big whiff on Colts running back Josh Robinson's nine-yard touchdown run. By contrast, second-round rookie Eric Rowe has six tackles and zero misses, plus a forced fumble.
Watkins has been reliable in coverage, according to PFF, allowing completions on four of 11 targets for 37 yards. However, the 2014 fourth-round pick's physicality has been lacking compared to the rookie, who is his primary competition for the job.
Stock Up: Vinny Curry
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I almost felt bad for Ravens offensive lineman Ryan Jensen, a former sixth-round pick and converted center who was playing tackle. He was the one who drew the short straw and had the impossible task of blocking Vinny Curry.
In his most extensive action at outside linebacker to date, Curry absolutely dominated. The Eagles defensive end was in the backfield on nearly every passing play, getting credit for four quarterback hurries from Pro Football Focus and nearly forcing an interception.
Curry is heading into the final year of his contract. After finishing second on the team with nine sacks in 2014—despite playing one-third of the defensive snaps according to Football Outsiders—he was already heading for a monster payday in free agency. If Curry proves he has the versatility to play off the edge in a 3-4 defense, that payday could wind up coming from the Eagles.
Stock Down: Marcus Smith
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Fair or not, the one guy who could least afford to miss time this summer was Marcus Smith. Now that he's out with a hamstring injury, it's fair to wonder what kind of production the Eagles will get from the outside linebacker.
Smith's rookie season didn't exist, for all intents and purposes. The 2014 first-round pick failed to record so much as a single tackle last year, so there were serious questions about what kind of contribution he could make for the Eagles going forward.
It looks like it will still be anybody's guess when the regular season rolls around, as Smith may not suit up for an exhibition game. With depth lacking at outside linebacker, the Eagles were counting on him to step up. As of right now, it's difficult to expect a lot from him.
Stock Up: Andrew Gardner
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It would appear the competition at right guard is over. Andrew Gardner is firmly entrenched as the starter.
Matt Tobin has been lining up at left tackle the past few weeks. Julian Vandervelde has been getting more work at left guard. Both are squarely with the second-team offense, along with backup right guard John Moffitt. The period of rotating guys in and out and getting different looks is over and has been for weeks.
Whether Gardner is a great solution remains to be seen. He didn't look too bad finishing out the year for the Eagles last season. With the battle over, it appears that for better or worse, the spot belongs to Gardner.
Stock Down: John Moffitt
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Speaking of Moffitt, don't count on him pushing Gardner for playing time in the near future. At this point, he's more concerned with trying to make the 53-man roster.
Moffitt has looked very much like a guy who's spent more than a year out of the NFL. He spends a lot of time on the ground or not blocking anybody. Granted, he is no doubt rusty coming out of retirement, but it's hard to see him winning a starting job at this point in his return.
If Moffitt makes strides in the last two preseason games, it wouldn't hurt to have a veteran backup with solid experience in the league. Thus far, however, he's done little to solidify his spot with the Eagles.
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