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The Philadelphia Eagles are only in the opening stages of organized team activities, but an early look at the depth chart already offers several revealing clues about roster construction, positional battles, and the organization's long-term vision heading into the 2026 season.
Context remains important.
Philadelphia's Wednesday practice featured several notable absences during the voluntary portion of the offseason program, creating a depth chart that reflected both availability and experimentation rather than firm regular-season roles. The Eagles had near-full attendance on Tuesday, aside from wide receiver A.J. Brown, but Wednesday's session included additional veterans and injured players who had been missing from practice.
Brown remains the most significant storyline.
The star wide receiver has skipped workouts since the offseason program began on April 20, and his expected trade to the New England Patriots is widely expected to become official on June 1, once financial and compensation details are finalized. His absence dramatically reshaped the look of the offense throughout the session.
Without Brown present, DeVonta Smith operated clearly as the Eagles' No. 1 receiver and received the majority of first-team targets from quarterback Jalen Hurts, according to Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer. Smith already entered the offseason positioned for an expanded offensive role, and Wednesday's practice reinforced the organization's confidence in his ability to function as the focal point of the passing game.
First-round rookie Makai Lemon also stood out immediately.
The explosive rookie saw significant work with the first-team offense both in the slot and occasionally outside, an early indication that Philadelphia intends to feature him prominently within Sean Mannion's new offensive system. Lemon's versatility fits the motion-heavy, spacing-oriented offense the Eagles are expected to install this season.
Johnny Wilson also drew attention after missing all of last season. The second-year receiver rotated with portions of the first-team offense while Hollywood Brown and Elijah Moore primarily worked with the second unit. Dontayvion Wicks was entirely absent from practice.
At quarterback, the backup competition remains fluid.
One day after Tanner McKee received most of the second-team work behind Hurts, veteran Andy Dalton handled the majority of backup reps on Wednesday. The alternating workload suggests the Eagles are still evaluating the pecking order behind Hurts entering training camp. Along the offensive line, new coach Chris Kuper offered perhaps the clearest insight into both short-term depth and long-term developmental planning.
With Lane Johnson absent, rookie Markel Bell operated as the first-team right tackle. The third-round selection continues drawing attention internally as a potential long-term successor to Johnson, whose future Hall of Fame career is entering its later stages. Jordan Mailata, Landon Dickerson, Cam Jurgens, and Tyler Steen rounded out the rest of the first-team offensive line. One of the more intriguing developments involved second-year lineman Myles Hinton. Primarily viewed as an offensive tackle, Hinton worked at both guard spots Wednesday, signaling either a permanent positional transition or an organizational effort to increase his versatility entering roster cutdown season.
Philadelphia has long prioritized cross-training along the offensive front, particularly among reserve linemen expected to fill multiple roles on game day.
Rookie interior lineman Drew Kendall also saw work at guard while Jake Majors operated as the second-team center ahead of Willie Lampkin. The alignment suggested Majors may currently hold an early advantage in the competition for the primary backup center role behind Jurgens.
Defensively, several notable names were absent.
Jalen Carter, Jihaad Campbell, and rookie pass rusher Keyshawn James-Newby all missed practice, while Brandon Graham was also away from the facility. Graham is expected to come off the active roster after June 1 as part of a contractual maneuver, although a return for a 17th season has not been ruled out. Campbell remains in recovery from offseason shoulder surgery. Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio recently indicated the rookie linebacker is expected back for the start of training camp, where he is projected to star in the role vacated by Nakobe Dean.
The Eagles did receive encouraging news in the secondary.
Safety Drew Mukuba participated fully after returning from a fractured ankle during his rookie season. Rookie safeties Cole Wisniewski and Tucker Large, along with linebacker Chandler Martin, watched practice from the sideline while recovering from injuries.
The safety competition itself also appears worth monitoring closely.
Marcus Epps and Michael Carter II appear positioned for an important battle depending on how often Cooper DeJean aligns in the slot. Philadelphia's defensive flexibility under Fangio could create interchangeable roles throughout the secondary, making versatility particularly valuable entering camp. The Eagles are still months away from final roster decisions, and voluntary OTA depth charts rarely provide definitive answers.
What they can reveal, however, are organizational priorities, developmental plans, and early indications of where competition may intensify once training camp arrives.
Wednesday's practice provided several of those clues.
This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: Early Eagles OTA depth chart reveals key roster battles now
Continue reading...
Context remains important.
Philadelphia's Wednesday practice featured several notable absences during the voluntary portion of the offseason program, creating a depth chart that reflected both availability and experimentation rather than firm regular-season roles. The Eagles had near-full attendance on Tuesday, aside from wide receiver A.J. Brown, but Wednesday's session included additional veterans and injured players who had been missing from practice.
Brown remains the most significant storyline.
The star wide receiver has skipped workouts since the offseason program began on April 20, and his expected trade to the New England Patriots is widely expected to become official on June 1, once financial and compensation details are finalized. His absence dramatically reshaped the look of the offense throughout the session.
Without Brown present, DeVonta Smith operated clearly as the Eagles' No. 1 receiver and received the majority of first-team targets from quarterback Jalen Hurts, according to Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer. Smith already entered the offseason positioned for an expanded offensive role, and Wednesday's practice reinforced the organization's confidence in his ability to function as the focal point of the passing game.
First-round rookie Makai Lemon also stood out immediately.
The explosive rookie saw significant work with the first-team offense both in the slot and occasionally outside, an early indication that Philadelphia intends to feature him prominently within Sean Mannion's new offensive system. Lemon's versatility fits the motion-heavy, spacing-oriented offense the Eagles are expected to install this season.
Johnny Wilson also drew attention after missing all of last season. The second-year receiver rotated with portions of the first-team offense while Hollywood Brown and Elijah Moore primarily worked with the second unit. Dontayvion Wicks was entirely absent from practice.
At quarterback, the backup competition remains fluid.
One day after Tanner McKee received most of the second-team work behind Hurts, veteran Andy Dalton handled the majority of backup reps on Wednesday. The alternating workload suggests the Eagles are still evaluating the pecking order behind Hurts entering training camp. Along the offensive line, new coach Chris Kuper offered perhaps the clearest insight into both short-term depth and long-term developmental planning.
With Lane Johnson absent, rookie Markel Bell operated as the first-team right tackle. The third-round selection continues drawing attention internally as a potential long-term successor to Johnson, whose future Hall of Fame career is entering its later stages. Jordan Mailata, Landon Dickerson, Cam Jurgens, and Tyler Steen rounded out the rest of the first-team offensive line. One of the more intriguing developments involved second-year lineman Myles Hinton. Primarily viewed as an offensive tackle, Hinton worked at both guard spots Wednesday, signaling either a permanent positional transition or an organizational effort to increase his versatility entering roster cutdown season.
Philadelphia has long prioritized cross-training along the offensive front, particularly among reserve linemen expected to fill multiple roles on game day.
Rookie interior lineman Drew Kendall also saw work at guard while Jake Majors operated as the second-team center ahead of Willie Lampkin. The alignment suggested Majors may currently hold an early advantage in the competition for the primary backup center role behind Jurgens.
Defensively, several notable names were absent.
Jalen Carter, Jihaad Campbell, and rookie pass rusher Keyshawn James-Newby all missed practice, while Brandon Graham was also away from the facility. Graham is expected to come off the active roster after June 1 as part of a contractual maneuver, although a return for a 17th season has not been ruled out. Campbell remains in recovery from offseason shoulder surgery. Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio recently indicated the rookie linebacker is expected back for the start of training camp, where he is projected to star in the role vacated by Nakobe Dean.
The Eagles did receive encouraging news in the secondary.
Safety Drew Mukuba participated fully after returning from a fractured ankle during his rookie season. Rookie safeties Cole Wisniewski and Tucker Large, along with linebacker Chandler Martin, watched practice from the sideline while recovering from injuries.
The safety competition itself also appears worth monitoring closely.
Marcus Epps and Michael Carter II appear positioned for an important battle depending on how often Cooper DeJean aligns in the slot. Philadelphia's defensive flexibility under Fangio could create interchangeable roles throughout the secondary, making versatility particularly valuable entering camp. The Eagles are still months away from final roster decisions, and voluntary OTA depth charts rarely provide definitive answers.
What they can reveal, however, are organizational priorities, developmental plans, and early indications of where competition may intensify once training camp arrives.
Wednesday's practice provided several of those clues.
This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: Early Eagles OTA depth chart reveals key roster battles now
Continue reading...
