How much OTAs matter will always be up for debate as long as they are considered voluntary. Some believe they are important. Others think they are meaningless.
What isn't up for debate is that impressing your head coach is always a good thing.
On Monday, as the Eagles returned to the NovaCare Complex for another week of voluntary OTAS, head coach Doug Pederson was asked which players have impressed him so far at practices.
Here are the six players he named, with some thoughts on each:
Nelson Agholor: The Eagles' slot receiver needs a big season as he is entering the final year of his contract and very well could hit free agency next offseason. To cash in Agholor is going to need a big season, and one way to do that is impress Pederson and get more plays ran for him this season. Agholor, who has also been mentioned as a player by Pederson that is in great shape, seems to be on the right path to doing just that.
Rasul Douglas: Douglas is near the top of the list of players who can benefit from a strong offseason as the cornerback position is very much up in the air right now. Douglas has never been given a fair shot at winning a starting job, but has played well when he has been out on the field, and showed some serious signs of improvement last year as the season went on. Douglas is starting right now at OTAs with Ronald Darby and Jalen Mills sidelined due to injury. It is going to be hard for Douglas to take a job from either of them, but is at least taking steps in the right direction.
Dallas Goedert: The Eagles are expecting a big year out Goedert, who should see far more passes come his way. Pederson is likely going to run far more 12 personnel this season to get both Zach Ertz and Goedert on the field at the same time, especially now that he can stretch the defense with DeSean Jackson.
Sidney Jones: No player needs a strong offseason more than Jones, who had a disappointing year last season due to both his level of play and an inability to stay out on the field. Jones has been getting some time on the outside this offseason, which is his natural position and likely has plenty to do with him impressing Pederson. Jones isn't in danger of not making the team, but how much playing time he gets is very much up in the air.
Avonte Maddox: Maddox quickly emerged last season as one of the best cornerbacks on the roster and is already one of the most versatile defenders on the team. It will be interesting to see where Maddox lands, as the team has the option of playing him either at outside cornerback, nickel cornerback or in a hybrid safety role. Either way, Maddox should be near the top of the team this season in snaps played on defense.
Carson Wentz: Pederson mentioned that one of the things that has impressed him most about Wentz so far this offseason is how strong the quarterback looks. Pederson said Wentz's arm and lower body are both responding well to the increased workload over the last few weeks. He hinted that Wentz hasn't looked this strong since the 2017 offseason, which was before both Wentz's torn ACL and fractured back. Pederson is right — Wentz has looked great so far in the OTA practices.
You can reach Eliot Shorr-Parks on Twitter at @EliotShorrParks or email him at esp@94wip.com!
