Where do the Eagles’ Rookies Fit In?
PHILADELPHIA (973espn.com) - The Eagles' rookies -- along with the quarterbacks and selected veterans -- will get a head start on the rest of the team when they hit the field for the first practice of the summer Monday morning.
With that in mind, here are the prospects for all of Philadelphia's freshman:
Quarterback Dane Evans - The book on Evans is that he has a strong arm but lacks touch. If he figures out how to take something off the fastball every now and again, the Eagles may keep only two QBs on the active roster, release Matt McGloin, and keep Evans on the practice squad.
Running back Donnel Pumphrey - The undersized Pumphrey is extremely explosive and the Eagles spent a lot of the spring trying to get him the football as a receiver. A package of manufactured touches for Pumphrey should be on Frank Reich's plate for the regular season.
Running back Corey Clement - A priority undrafted free agent, the floor for Clement, a Glassboro native, is likely the practice squad and an injury could put him in play for the 53-man roster.
Wide receiver Mack Hollins - The fourth-round pick figures to start as the team's fifth receiver and as a key component on all four of Dave Fipp's special teams units. At 6-foot-4 and 221 pounds, however, the Eagles have high hopes for Hollins as a receiver down the road.
Wide receiver Shelton Gibson - The fifth-round pick had a tough time adjusting in the spring and has his work cut out for him in training camp. Right now Gibson is closer to the PS than the regular-season roster.
Wide receiver Greg Ward - A former quarterback in college at Houston, the athletic Ward looks the part of a sudden slot receiver at 5-foot-11 and 186 pounds. Incremental improvement as a route runner will have Ward earmarked for the practice squad with a chance to make some noise in 2018.
Tight end Billy Brown - Brown is intriguing because of his size and movement skills. At 255 pounds, he played WR in college at Shepherd but the Eagles seem set at TE with Zach Ertz, Brent Celek, and Trey Burton.
Center Tyler Orlosky - Orlosky was one of the top undrafted free agents this year but missed most of the offseason work with an injury and the Eagles are extremely deep on the interior of the offensive line. An impressive showing in the preseason could make Orlosky a potential waiver-wire pickup for another team.
Offensive tackle Victor Salako - With Jason Peters, Lane Johnson, Allen Barbre, Halapoulivaati Vaitai, Matt Tobin and even Taylor Hart available to play tackle, Salako is just a camp body.
Defensive end Derek Barnett - The hope is that the No. 14 overall pick will pick things up quickly and start opposite of Brandon Graham. If not he will certainly be in the DE rotation with Graham and fellow veterans Vinny Curry and Chris Long.
Defensive tackle Elijah Qualls - Qualls missed most of the offseason work because of the NFL's graduation rule but he's very athletic and expected to be the backup three-technique.
Defensive tackle Winston Craig - Craig got a lot of work in the offseason because of injuries and absences at DT but he will have a tough time breaking through.
Linebacker Nathan Gerry - Gerry is attempting to make the move from safety at Nebraska to NFL linebacker and that transition will continue starting Monday. Gerry figures to make the team as a backup and start out as a key member of the special teams.
Cornerback Sidney Jones - It's all about getting healthy for the second-round pick with the top-15 talent. Jones ruptured his Achilles at Washington's pro day back in March and will open up camp on the PUP list. Once cleared and able to knock off the rust, Jones' talent will put him at the top of the Eagles' depth chart sooner rather than later.
Cornerback Rasul Douglas - The hope is Douglas hits the ground running and pushes Patrick Robinson for the starting slot opposite Jalen Mills or is at least able to handle outside work in the nickel while Mills slips inside to the slot. He's got impressive length and has flashed tremendous ball skills but speed is a concern.
Cornerback Jomal Wiltz - The Iowa State product is among an almost endless set of bodies trying to make noise at a position of need but didn't stand out during offseason work.
Cornerback Randall Goforth - Like Wiltz, the undrafted UCLA product has an uphill battle as far as the numbers game goes.
Safety Tre Sullivan - Sullivan is buried behind a backup group that figures to include Terrence Brooks, Jaylen Watkins, and Chris Maragos so the practice squad is his goal.
Punter Cameron Johnston - The Ohio State product proved he has an NFL leg during the offseason but this is Donnie Jones' job so Johnston, an Australian native, is tasked with opening the eyes of another organization.
-John McMullen covers the Eagles and the NFL for 973espn.com. You can reach him at jmcmullen44@gmail.com or on Twitter @JFMcMullen