Making Strides

Football returns this week to the NovaCare Complex beginning Tuesday, with Offseason Team Activities (OTAs) being held Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday.

Much like this time last year, these sessions will be invaluable, with new offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo at the helm along with a contingent of young defensive players primed for larger roles under coordinator Vic Fangio.

As in most cases, first impressions are vital. And for rookies, new additions or bubble players, the extra practice reps and face time with coaches should allow for an easier transition in camp this summer when the pads come on.

Assessing a season brimming with compelling storylines can often morph into season projections. And with that, here are four of my pre-OTA season forecasts, two of which pertain to second-year players on both sides of the ball.

GETTY IMAGES: With a full offseason, second-year EDGE Jalyx Hunt is poised to make a huge leap.

Jalyx Hunt will take the biggest leap forward of all Eagles defenders

When you think back to this time last offseason, expectations were universally tempered before Hunt had taken so much as a live training camp rep. But the rookie from Houston Christian flashed at times during camp, stacking competitive reps and validating what the Eagles saw in him to select him in the third-round.

When the season kicked off in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Hunt was inactive, perhaps supporting the redshirt narrative. But throughout the season, Hunt factored more and more into the defense, showcasing a developing array of pass rush moves, a refined plan of attack, and relentless effort.

For perspective, when big-ticket free agent signing Bryce Huff missed time with a wrist injury, coordinator Vic Fangio demonstrated enough confidence in Hunt to include him as part of a three-player rotation. To his credit, Hunt seized his opportunity, routinely coming up with a notable play or two – some subtle – seemingly every week.

Fast-forward to the postseason, where Hunt logged a full sack against the Rams in the divisional round and a half-sack in Super Bowl LIX, when he played 23 snaps. When you look at the rapid progression of a player who was an Ivy League safety just four seasons ago – coupled with the likelihood of Hunt starting in 2025 – it’s a forecast that’s difficult to argue against.

While Hunt might have been viewed as a long-term projection in the eyes of many, the 24-year-old never saw it that way.

“I’m never somebody who talks a whole bunch about what I’m going to do,” Hunt said during locker clean-out. “But I’ve felt it the entire year. I didn’t come to just sit around and cheer my teammates on.

“I love to cheer my teammates on … I like to perform as well. I’m a football player. I like making plays, and I had the opportunity to. And I seized my role and my opportunity.”

Jahan Dotson hits the ground running in his second season with the Eagles

Acquired in a late-August trade with the Commanders, Dotson was always going to be behind the 8-ball. He wasn’t afforded a full offseason to absorb coordinator Kellen Moore’s offense, nor did he have the benefit of establishing a rapport with Jalen Hurts, which is typically done during offseason throwing sessions.

As a result, Dotson never really made his mark during the regular season, reeling in just 19 of 33 pass targets for 216 yards. Given the offensive firepower around him, Dotson will never be a primary option in Philadelphia. Still, it never seemed as if he was a viable threat that defenses needed to account for each week.

Dotson did, however, show up in critical spots down the stretch, securing an 11-yard touchdown against the Packers in the wild-card round and adding a 27-yard catch down the right sideline in Super Bowl LIX.

This time, Dotson has the benefit of time and reps. The skills he showcased his first two seasons in Washington weren’t a mirage and they surely haven’t eroded. I’m looking for Dotson to play faster and with more confidence this summer, which should result in generating notably more than the 33 pass targets of last season.

GETTY IMAGES: Improvement this offseason in pass pro and blitz pickup would go along way for second-year RB Will Shipley winning the RB2 job.

Will Shipley will be the No. 2 running back

If you pay attention to how the Eagles typically operate, this one shouldn’t raise many eyebrows. For one, the Eagles invested draft capital in Shipley, who was picked in the fourth round last offseason. Buried on the depth chart behind Saquon Barkley and Kenny Gainwell, Shipley’s role in 2024 was largely relegated to special teams, where he thrived. But with Gainwell having moved on to the Steelers in free agency, Shipley has an opportunity to climb the depth chart.

The Eagles signed veteran A.J. Dillon in free agency, but complicating matters is that Dillon missed the entire 2024 season with a neck injury and it’s unclear yet how he’ll return. Looking at it from another perspective, though, Dillon, a bruising power back, is a redundant complement to Barkley. Shipley, on the other hand, offers dynamism, explosiveness and more pass-catching prowess.

When spelling Barkley, the Clemson product would be a change-of-pace option for which defenses must adjust. Shipley, before anything, must improve as a pass protector, but as stated on the final “Rookie Diary” episode, that facet of his game would be an offseason point of emphasis.

Assuming he remains on track, Shipley will slot in as the No. 2 behind Barkley, where I’m expecting him to carve out an impactful role.

The battle for fourth safety will be among the summer’s most compelling storylines

It’s not often that a competition for a final slot at a given position qualifies as intriguing, but given the names and differing skill sets vying for what will presumably be the final spot in the safety room, I think it will be.

With Blankenship, Drew Mukuba and Sydney Brown assured a position on the 53-man roster, that leaves holdovers like Tristin McCollum and Andre’ Sam, along with a 2022 first-round pick- turned-reclamation project in Lewis Cine and enticing rookie free agent Maxen Hook squarely on the fringes.

McCollum, who last season latched onto the 53 on the heels of a consistent summer, would appear to have the upper hand. The 26-year-old appeared in 14 games last season, making two starts. McCollum, a special teams standout, is often overlooked when assessing this group, but his high-level football IQ, dependability and work ethic are worth noting.

Another player under-discussed when assessing the back end of the roster is Sam, who spent the entire 2024 season on the Eagles’ practice squad. The LSU product will be afforded a full offseason with the team and has been mentioned – unprompted – multiple times by defensive backs coach Christian Parker. One of the best stories on the roster, Sam has familiarity with the coaching staff and takes nothing for granted. Ignore him at your own risk.

Cine and Hook seem destined to become training camp darlings. Hook, roommate of Eagles cornerback Quinyon Mitchell at Toledo, is a rangy and versatile centerfielder who many – myself included – had a draftable grade.  And the Eagles signed Cine, a former Georgia Bulldog, to the active roster late last season to ensure he’d be around through the offseason.

A first-round pick of the Vikings, injuries have limited Cine to only 11 games over his first three seasons. Now healthy and around many of his former teammates, perhaps the Eagles are the team that finally unlocks his talent.

– Andrew DiCecco (@AndrewDiCecco) is a Staff Reporter/Content Producer for InsideTheBirds.com.