Rookie Report

The Eagles return to the NovaCare Complex practice field on Sunday morning following an off-day, beginning a busy week which culminates in the preseason opener against the Baltimore Ravens.

With six practices down and a four-day stretch upcoming, here is an August update on how each rookie has fared to this point.

ITB PHOTO: Fourth round rookie Will Shipley is making noise as an effective pass catching back in training camp.

CB Quinyon Mitchell (First round, No. 22)

Mitchell has acclimated quickly, undertaking a variety of roles including outside corner, nickel, and dime. The 23-year-old has responded favorably to each challenge, demonstrating a high-level understanding of the game, along with moxie and poise. Mitchell’s moxie famously revealed itself recently in reps against Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown, exhibiting a penchant for not backing down.

Mitchell has worked with the first and second team defenses throughout camp. With DeJean now having to make up ground, perhaps a path is cleared for Mitchell to start inside at the beginning of the regular season. It’s early, but the Eagles have to be highly encouraged with what they’ve seen thus far from their first-round pick.

DB Cooper DeJean (Second round, No. 40)

Initially my frontrunner to enter the season as the Eagles’ starting nickel, DeJean suffered a hamstring injury during offseason training, sidelining him through the first six practices. Given a projected three-week timeline, DeJean still has some time before returning to the field and I expect the Eagles to exercise caution to ensure that he’s fully healthy. While he looked quick and instinctive during spring practices, missing valuable time as a rookie sometimes presents a unique set of challenges.

EDGE Jalyx Hunt (Third round, No. 94)

A virtual unknown to some ahead of the 2024 NFL Draft, Hunt, a Houston Christian product, was well-known in league circles. So it was of know surprise to learn the talented pass-rusher was getting late Day 2 buzz leading up to draft weekend. In addition to a strong Senior Bowl showing, Hunt’s traits and projected upside catalyzed his rise.

Twitchy and explosive, albeit raw, a rookie redshirt season was almost unanimously forecasted for Hunt, though, personally, I’m pumping the brakes on that. Hunt, on multiple occasions, has flashed as a rusher, working his moves and displaying first-step quickness and burst. Sure, there have been lapses that often come with inexperience, serving as a reminder that Hunt’s development could take some time. But there have also been moments that encapsulate how far he has come. I maintain Hunt will carve out a situational role defensively while serving as a core member of Michael Clay’s special teams unit.

RB Will Shipley (Fourth round, No. 127)

Like many rookies, it appeared Shipley was pressing a bit during spring practices. But the Clemson product has largely rounded into form through six training camp sessions, fielding the ball cleanly as a receiver and showcasing explosiveness as well as situational awareness with relative regularity.

Shipley has even shown flashes as a pass-blocker, though that aspect of his game needs refinement. With fourth-year running back Kenny Gainwell putting together a stellar camp and firmly entrenched as the top backup behind Saquon Barkley, Shipley will likely be reduced to a cameo role, at least in the early going. His clearest path to the field would appear to be as a kick returner, where the Eagles have repped multiple players in the role.

WR Ainias Smith (Fifth round, No. 152)

If you rewind back to April, when the Eagles selected Smith in the fifth-round, it was Smith, the Texas A&M wide receiver, who commanded the majority of the Day 3 intrigue. Smith was expected by some to challenge for the third wide receiver role. But with Smith working his way back from a pre-draft stress fracture in his left shin, he wasn’t really able to find his footing during OTAs.

Between the spring sessions and half-dozen training camp practices, it’s fair to say Smith has looked the part of a Day 3 rookie, struggling to emerge from a crowded receiver room, where at least six players have been ahead in the pecking order. Perhaps Smith is a player who shines under the lights in game situations, but he’s among the players I’m most interested see during exhibition season.

LB Jeremiah Trotter Jr. (Fifth round, No. 155)

Trotter Jr., during a team period in Thursday’s open practice, knifed through on a blitz, dodging a block from Shipley to record a “sack” of Kenny Pickett. The Clemson product has almost exclusively worked with the third unit, alongside third-year linebacker Brandon Smith, after seeing a handful of first-ran reps early in camp. Trotter Jr. hasn’t appeared overmatched through six practices and it will be interesting to monitor his performance through the preseason. At least initially, Trotter will likely begin the season as the Eagles’ fifth linebacker.

G Trevor Keegan (Fifth round, No. 172)

When Landon Dickerson exited practice Tuesday after sustaining a knee injury (he returned to the field but remained on the sideline) it was the rookie Keegan who filled in at left guard, somewhat of a notable development given the fact that veteran Matt Hennessy has experience playing the position.

For the open practice, it was the versatile Brett Toth who started at left guard in Dickerson’s place, but eventually gave way to Keegan, who played the bulk of the snaps. While Keegan doesn’t fit the prototype of the typical Eagles lineman in terms of athleticism, the Michigan product is tough as nails and has performed well through camp. He’ll stick as a reserve lineman.

WR Johnny Wilson (Sixth round, No. 185)

Widely considered to be an intriguing late-round dart throw, Wilson, the 6-foot-6 wideout, has exceeded expectations at this point, picking things up in a snap and consistently garnering first-team reps. He has also, evidently, earned the confidence of quarterback Jalen Hurts, with whom he worked with during the offseason.

The Florida State standout has also showcased his inside-outside versatility, an interesting development considering the uncertainly of the roles beyond starters A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith. That Hurts attempted a fade ball to Wilson during open practice speaks to the level of trust Wilson has built through repetition and hard work. If the season started today, I’d have Wilson slotted at No. 4 in the Eagles’ wide receiver hierarchy.

C Dylan McMahon (Sixth round, No. 190)

McMahon has largely performed well and seems to be improving, as evidenced by working in with the second-team at center. McMahon is a fluid-mover who has seemingly responded positively under the tutelage of offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland.

I’ll have an eye on McMahon during preseason play to see how he responds to power and operates in space, but given his tools and pedigree, I think he hangs on and makes the roster as the final offensive lineman.

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