Training camp is all about the players who start camp at the bottom of the depth chart making their way all up to a roster spot. Every year it happens, whether it was Corey Clement in 2017, or Greg Ward in 2019.
In a normal year, part of that climb would include preseason games, which would have given every fan a chance to get a look at some of the young players fighting for a spot.
This year, however, that is not the case.
So with no preseason games, here is a player many fans might not know about at each position, but have been standouts so far in training camp:
Quarterback: Jalen Hurts
Yes, fans know about Jalen Hurts. He became a household name in Philadelphia the second the Eagles drafted him in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft. But with only three quarterbacks on the roster, Hurts would have been getting plenty of snaps in the preseason, and fans would have likely been very impressed with what they would have seen. The best word to describe Hurts at quarterback so far in camp is "playmaker", as he has accounted for 11 touchdowns on just 79 snaps, while turning the ball over twice. He has done damage through the air (7 passing touchdowns) and on the ground (4 rushing touchdowns), and has been especially dangerous in the red zone. Hurts still has some work to do, but each day he looks closer-and-closer to being able to step in and play if Carson Wentz were to go down with an injury.
Running Back: Elijah Holyfield and Adrian Killins
I am going to cheat and put two here, because both of these players deserve credit for what they have done in camp so far.
Holyfield, picked up by the Eagles at the end of last season, has more catches (15) and carries (23) than any other running back on the roster. His 38 total touches easily exceed the running back with the second-most touches, Corey Clement (30). Holyfield wasn't asked to catch the ball much in college, but he has caught each of the 15 passes thrown his way in camp, a very encouraging sign for what he could do in this offense if called upon to play. Holyfield seems to have the No. 4 running back spot locked up.
Unless….
UDFA Adrian Killins has been getting more-and-more snaps each practice, and is now getting reps with the first-team offense at times. Killins went from barely getting onto the field to now have 18 total touches and getting time as the No. 1 kick returner on special teams. Killins has looked lighting quick with the ball in his hands, and the coaches seem to be very intrigued with what he could do in the passing game, as he has gotten some work with the receivers in individual drills. Killins' best shot onto the roster seems to be at kick returner, which could lead to him getting a spot over Holyfield.
Wide Receiver: Deontay Burnett
No receiver has been better throughout camp than Burnett. The third-year player has caught 14 of the 16 passes thrown his way so far, and has pulled in a whopping five touchdowns. No player on the roster has more catches than Burnett, and only two players have more catches. Burnett would bring a nice combination of youth, speed and experience to the roster, as he is just 22-years old, but has two years of experience in the NFL, including games played last year for the Eagles. The locks on the Eagles roster at receiver are DeSean Jackson, Jalen Reagor, J.J. Arcega-Whiteside, Greg Ward and at least one of John Hightower or Quez Watkins — and possibly both. So the numbers are not in Burnett's favor. But no player has done more in camp to help their chances of making the team.
Tight End: Noah Toagiai
UDFA Noah Toagiai saw his chances of making the roster skyrocket when third-string tight end Joshua Perkins unfortunately suffered an upper-body injury. Toagiai responded accordingly and has been awesome in practice ever since. The rookie has caught 10 of the 12 passes thrown his way, two of which have gone for touchdowns. Toagiai looks comfortable running routes and catching the ball, a key for any tight end in this Eagles' offense. Toagiai might not only end up making the roster, but he could be active on game day and gets some snaps if either Zach Ertz or Dallas Goedert were to go down with an injury. At this point Toagiai's main competition for a roster spot are Caleb Wilson and newly-signed veteran Tyrone Swoopes.
Offensive Line: Nate Herbig
Herbig has been getting plenty of snaps with the first-team offense this camp. At times the reps have been because of injuries to the starting offensive line, but what has been especially noticeable is Herbig getting reps when the offensive line has gone into a heavy package, bringing him in as the sixth-offensive linemen. The Eagles used six offensive linemen a fair amount last season, and if they view Herbig as the player that would come in when they do it this year, his spot on the roster could be pretty secure.
Defensive Line: Josh Sweat
Perhaps no defensive end has had a better camp than Sweat. The third-year player has been getting first-team reps throughout camp with Derek Barnett sidelined, and he has made the most of them, consistently getting pressure on the quarterback. He has been a tough matchup for left tackle Andre Dillard, who has struggled to deal with Sweat's quick first-step. Sweat finished last season with four sacks and it wouldn't be surprising if he ended up topping that this season.
Linebacker: Duke Riley
Coming into camp the top two spots at linebacker seemed pretty locked in — Nate Gerry and TJ Edwards. Now, that isn't so clear. Riley has been getting a ton of work with the first-team defense, both when they are in a three-linebacker package, but also at times over Edwards. Riley has made the most of the snaps, including an interception off of Nate Sudfeld that might he might have brought back for a touchdown in a game. Riley is a lock to make the roster considering he is one of the best special-teams players the Eagles have, but he seems to have worked his way into getting consistent snaps on defense as well.
Cornerback: Michael Jaquet
With Sidney Jones sidelined and Rasul Douglas struggling, the Eagles need a young cornerback to step up and earn a roster spot. That player might end up being UDFA Michael Jaquet. Jaquet, 6-foot-2 with long arms, has clearly caught the attention of the coaching staff, as he got a shoutout from head coach Doug Pederson earlier in the week. Jaquet hasn't made any plays that have stood out in camp, but that isn't a bad thing for a cornerback, as it could mean he is simply not getting the ball thrown his way. The upside of Jaquet could end up being enough to beat out both Jones and Douglas for a roster spot.
Safety: Grayland Arnold
It is easy to see why the Eagles made Arnold a priority UDFA signing. The rookie safety has been getting some second-team reps at free safety, and delivered one of the biggest hits of camp when he picked up Killins and pushed him back at the end of a run, causing almost all of the veterans on defense to jump off the sideline in celebration. The key for Arnold making the team will be special teams, as he will have to likely beat out Rudy Ford for a roster spot. At the very least, however, Arnold has turned a strong training camp into a spot on the practice squad.
You can reach Eliot Shorr-Parks on Twitter at @EliotShorrParks or email him at esp@94wip.com!
