Real Thing – Or Summer Fling?

Every summer, a handful of players rise from relative obscurity to have their moments in the sun, flashing with consistency and cultivating an aura at Eagles training camp.

For some, the staying power is legitimate. But for many, the summer success can be misinterpreted, perhaps skewed due to circumstance or competition.

Sometimes it’s as simple as who can sustain the production for the duration of the evaluation period. In some cases, the numbers game can even factor into the deliberation, squeezing them off the final roster.

Still, forecasting those training camp darlings – or the All-NovaCare team, formerly the All-Lehigh squad – has become synonymous with Eagles summer storylines.

It’s an annual tradition to see if these summer standouts can actually elbow their way into the 53-man roster conversation.

Here are some vintage prospects to make this year’s All-NovaCare club and be the All-Novacare MVP:

ITB PHOTO: Another Eagles training camp at the NovaCare Complex begins Tuesday, when players are expected to report.

RB Kendall Milton

Former Georgia Bulldog? Check. Bruising power runner? Check. While the Eagles seemingly have their projected three-headed backfield in place with Saquon Barkley, Kenny Gainwell and rookie Will Shipley, Milton (6-1, 232) offers a different dimension that could spark some intrigue and physicality that typically translates when the pads come on.

Milton, who totaled only 12 receptions at Georgia, flashed a bit during toward the end of spring practices, showcasing some versatility as a pass-catcher and kick returner. Milton lacks home run-hitting upside, but his downhill running style and projected preseason volume lends itself to garnering some late-summer buzz. I’m just not sure there’s room for a fourth running back on a loaded roster.

WR Austin Watkins

Watkins, a training camp sensation last summer with the Browns, burned the Eagles for 139 yards and a touchdown on seven catches during exhibition play. The 26-year-old actually led all preseason wide receivers last summer with 257 receiving yards.

While that all means very little in the grand scheme, it’s critical data for this exercise, as it demonstrates Watkins’ penchant for seizing the moment. Watkins, for the record, did not make the Browns 53-man roster – he signed to the practice squad – but is a fluid mover and nifty route-runner, which, when coupled with vacant reps, typically translates to training camp fodder.

WR John Ross

The first-round pedigree and field-stretching potential factors prominently here. Ross, originally a tryout player with the Eagles and eventually signed to a contract, still has the quickness, burst and long speed to stretch a secondary and did enjoy a productive spring.

But he hasn’t appeared in an NFL game since 2021 or totaled more than 506 yards in a season, so Ross must prove he can sustain his momentum and stay healthy. Ross finds himself in an ideal circumstance, as the Eagles are thin on experience behind starters A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith, and this summer will likely be his final opportunity to rescue his career.

Between his rekindled motivation, reclamation project storyline – and likelihood of getting behind the secondary once or twice – Ross figures to be a player who’ll generate considerable interest.

TE E.J. Jenkins

The wide-open vacancy behind starter Dallas Goedert sets the stage for a summer standout to emerge, and at 6-foot-6, 260 pounds, Jenkins fits the bill. A wide receiver since age 13 before making a full-blown transition to tight end last summer with the New York Jets, Jenkins’ winding football path, which included stops at three different colleges, picks up in Philadelphia.

Jenkins, a spring climber, impressed as a pass-catcher, running crisp routes, regularly creating separation at the top of routes and corralling everything in his vicinity. The fact that he’d established a rapport with quarterback Kenny Pickett earlier in the offseason should only help matters, particularly during team drills. The hulking tight end, who mentioned that he prioritized mastering the blocking element this offseason, fits the prototype of a preseason receiver positioned to command a flurry of targets.

CB Shon Stephens

Though slight of build (5-8, 180) and on the older side for a typical rookie, Stephens has defied seemingly insurmountable odds at every turn. The Ferris State product, who went undrafted and unsigned post-draft, participated in the Eagles’ rookie minicamp on a tryout and was the lone player initially signed coming out of the weekend.

Stephens, who led the nation with a combined 16 interceptions over two seasons, offers blistering speed, positional versatility and fluidity, to go along with high-end ball skills.

Sure, the cornerback room is a bit crowded, but that likely won’t hinder Stephens from maximizing his expectedly limited reps, perhaps coming away with a turnover or two.

For what it’s worth, Stephens came away with a practice-ending interception during one of the spring sessions open to the media. The nephew of Steelers linebacker Joey Porter, Stephens is likely to make enough plays this summer to warrant the training camp darling distinction.

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