Fact Finding In Foxboro

Following a pair of joint practices earlier this week, the Eagles and Patriots reunite Saturday evening at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass., for the second game on the preseason slate.

The practices were mostly reserved for the starters, acting as a dress rehearsal for the regular season, while the game itself will give the reserves an opportunity to showcase their talents.

Eagles backup QBs Tanner McKee (16) and Andy Dalton, pictured behind McKee, will get plenty of reps vs. the Patriots in the preseason.

Here are 10 Eagles I’ll be watching for in Saturday night’s game:

Eagles QBs

So, I cheated a bit here, grouping all three Eagles quarterbacks together. Veterans Andy Dalton and Tanner McKee combined for 9-of-16 pass attempts for 55 yards and struggled to establish any sort of a rhythm in their respective turns piloting the offense. The inconsistencies on the practice field carried over to a game setting, and neither has separated in the summer-long QB2 battle. Given their experience and the solid performance from a young offensive line protecting up front, I expected to see more. They’ll have another opportunity against the Patriots. As it pertains to rookie Cole Payton, who has been must-watch all summer, what you’re looking for is signs of growth as a passer. He improvised quite a bit when he got his turn, which was entertaining, but I’ll be looking to see if he can hang in the pocket a bit more and protect the football.

WR Darius Cooper

Cooper eyes a bounce-back performance after an underwhelming showing in the opener in which he recorded 21 yards on two receptions. The second-year receiver figures to have plenty of opportunities, as the Eagles are relatively light in numbers at the position. Cooper has been a standout performer in training camp, but you’d like to see that production translate in a game setting. He should be a popular target against the Patriots.

To a lesser degree, I’d also add Erik Ezukanma to this list. Of the Eagles’ down-the-roster contingent of wide receivers, an argument can be made that Ezukanma and veteran Quez Watkins have been the best of the bunch. The 2022 fourth-round pick has been a popular target this summer for Dalton and McKee and could see an uptick in snaps against the Patriots. There’s also the special teams element with Ezukanma, as the 26-year-old registered 77 yards on three kick returns. His multipurpose skill set could be a valuable asset for the practice squad.

TE Eli Stowers

Give the rookie some grace here, as Stowers was always expected to be somewhat of a developmental prospect. Remember, he’s relatively new to the position and the severity of learning curves vary depending on the player. Expectations should be tempered. Now, Stowers has taken some steps in a positive direction at different points in training camp. But also bear in mind that progress isn’t linear; there will be inevitable growing pains in between encouraging moments. Yes, Stowers is surely a work in progress as a blocker, but I’ve observed countless examples of Stowers putting in extra work to improve that facet of his game. I’ll be watching Saturday night to see whether Stowers can provide a spark to the pass game as a receiver. How does he fare in contested catch situations and when playing through contact? Any progress made by the rookie tight end in this game should be considered a confidence booster.

TE E.J. Jenkins

The Eagles have a deep tight end room, though three spots are devoted to Dallas Goedert, Johnny Mundt and Stowers. But the new-look Eagles offense under Sean Mannion might change the thought process regarding how many players the team carries at a given position. I’ve toggled back-and-forth all summer with this at tight end, where rostering four wouldn’t be out of the realm of possibility. Cameron Latu is probably the frontrunner, as he provides positional versatility and special teams prowess. Jenkins, however, is someone who has really caught my attention this summer as a blocker. The 6-foot-6 Jenkins, who has appeared in 10 games for the Eagles over the past two seasons, has made a concerted effort to grow the blocking aspect of his game and has looked really forceful at the point of attack. In this offense, that counts for a lot.

OL Willie Lampkin

Defensive tackle Jordan Davis on Thursday referred to Lampkin as a “bowling ball of knives,” while other teammates this summer have also offered effusive praise for the second-year offensive lineman. The compliments have been justified, as Lampkin, listed at 5-foot-11, 290 pounds, has performed admirably at both center and guard this summer. With Lampkin, you must look beyond his diminutive build and pay attention to how he plays, as you’ll find a technically refined offensive lineman with strong hands and a study base. There’s a natural leverage there, sure, but Lampkin plays with power and explosiveness, often controlling and steering defensive linemen. He gives the Eagles valuable interior versatility and has consistently delivered at both positions. I comfortably have Lampkin on my 53-man roster as the Eagles’ ninth offensive linemen.

GETTY IMAGES: Ty Robinson is off “life support,” per DC Vic Fangio, a good step for the second-year DT.

DT Ty Robinson

Robinson, who appeared in only 11 games (104 defensive snaps) last season as a rookie, entered his second training camp squarely under the microscope. He likely needed to exhibit signs of life to warrant a roster spot for another season, and after a slow start to training camp, Robinson started to emerge in practice. Those encouraging signs carried over to the preseason opener in Baltimore, where Robinson produced a pair of tackles (one for loss) a sack and a quarterback hit across 47 snaps. It was a performance that most certainly wasn’t lost on his defensive coordinator.

“He came to life,” Vic Fangio said Wednesday in Foxborough. “He’s been on life support since he’s been here, but he came to life and hopefully that will continue.”

Robinson, a 2025 fourth-round pick, looks to be a more confident player, a byproduct of repetitions in practice and stacking successful days. He’s fared well in 1-on-1s, showcasing his club move, and has flashed during team periods. Robinson also received quite a bit of work on the second day of joint practices, with Jalen Carter (personal/excused) out of the lineup. Linemates Moro Ojomo and Byron Young are entering the final year of their rookie deals, so Robinson’s awakening has proven timely.

OLB Jose Ramirez

Rookie OLB Joshua Weru, in his first-ever football game, garnered much of the attention on the heels of an inspiring debut, but Ramirez is the down-the-roster pass-rusher I’ll be watching closely. The 28-year-old, a 2023 sixth-round pick of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, logged 43 snaps in the opener and graded out well. Ramirez also showcased some bright moments in camp as a rusher, notably during 1-on-1 sequences. He doesn’t qualify as an intriguing developmental prospect, and is a long shot to make the roster, but Ramirez could potentially play himself onto the Eagles’ practice squad with a strong finish.

LB Smael Mondon Jr.

Coordinator Vic Fangio noted Wednesday in Foxborough that inside linebacker is “probably” the Eagles’ deepest position on defense. The depth includes Jeremiah Trotter Jr. and Mondon Jr., whom Fangio referred to as “two good, quality players.” Trotter Jr. has been written about often enough in this space, but I’ve also found myself jotting down No. 42 in my practice notes recently. Mondon Jr., a 2025 fifth-round pick, impressed last summer as a rookie, and has demonstrated signs of growth in Year 2. The Georgia product has made some instinctive plays in camp – notably during joint practices – but will be without a defensive role in the regular due to the players ahead of him. The next two preseason games, where Mondon Jr. figures to be among the Eagles’ defensive snap leaders, are valuable from a developmental standpoint

LB Deontae Lawson

The undrafted rookie from Alabama has quietly come on a bit. Lawson, 23, started 41 games in Tuscaloosa – where he was twice named a team captain – and his experience is reflected on the field. Lawson’s play speed and range were apparent in the preseason opener, but also in practice, where he’s become a bit more involved as camp has progressed. When filling out the roster, often times projection and developmental upside become critical factors. While it’s hard to fathom the Eagles carrying five linebackers on the 53-man roster, Lawson – who unlike fellow linebacker Chance Campbell would be subject to waivers – is someone I’ll be continuing to monitor as cutdowns loom.

S Cole Wisniewski

Wisniewski, a 2026 seventh-round pick, is primed for his first preseason action. The Texas Tech product has some ground to make up, to be sure, missing most of training camp with a hamstring injury. Fortunately for Wisniewski, though, the Eagles are still evaluating the depth at the position. Wisniewski, a former linebacker, brings good size at 6-foot-3, 219 pounds and boasts a skill set that figures to translate favorably on special teams. I’ll be watching for Wisniewski’s third phase contributions, but also how he acquits himself in coverage, an aspect of his game that will be tested by New England.

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