The Eagles entered the NFL Draft with eight total picks and came out with nine players and three additional picks in the 2025 NFL Draft. General manager Howie Roseman didn’t make the splash trade Eagles fans are typically used to, but he did manage to make eight different trades to tie the record for most trades for a team during a draft.
As the Eagles look to reload an already talented roster, some rookies will get the opportunity to compete for a backup role or even a starting spot on the roster.
Here’s a look at five camp competitions to watch as the Eagles prepare for training camp in the next couple of months.
Outside cornerback
The Eagles selected Toledo cornerback Quinyon Mitchell in the first round of the NFL Draft, Roseman’s first time selecting a cornerback in round one and the first time the Eagles have taken a cornerback that high since Lito Sheppard in 2002. Mitchell is arguably the most talented cornerback from this year’s draft class and will have the chance to compete for the outside corner spot opposite of Darius Slay. Veteran James Bradberry, who has filled that role the past two seasons, could ultimately end up being a cap casualty by mid-June but if he remains on the roster by then, Mitchell would compete with Bradberry and second-year defensive back Kelee Ringo.
Nickelback
Roseman saw Iowa defensive back Cooper DeJean fall out of the first round and wound up trading up to pick No. 40 to snag him in the second round. The versatile DeJean can play any position within the secondary and could make an immediate impact as a rookie as the team’s nickelback. Avonte Maddox recently filled that role but has dealt with injuries for back-to-back years with a torn pec last season and a significant toe injury that required season-ending surgery in 2022. Given his natural athleticism, DeJean could compete for the nickelback spot right away and even get his hands on trying out for punt returner. DeJean told reporters in a zoom meeting over the weekend that he’s willing to play anywhere in the Eagles’ secondary, via NFL.com’s Kevin Patra.
Right guard
Following the retirement of center Jason Kelce, Cam Jurgens is slated to move from right guard to center to fill that role, leaving his spot up for grabs. Tyler Steen, a 2023 draft selection, has a leg up on the starting guard spot but not by much. Steen only started one game last year. The Eagles drafted two interior offensive linemen in the later rounds of the draft who are primed to compete. Michigan’s Trevor Keegan and NC State’s Dylan McMahon are equally capable of starting at the right guard spot and will both get the coaching they need from Jeff Stoutland, highly regarded as one of the best offensive line coaches in the NFL.
Middle linebacker
New Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio’s scheme requires more linebackers than the team had last year. The Eagles signed veteran linebacker Devin White in free agency, leaving the other middle linebacker spot open for competition. Another unfortunate injury situation for Nakobe Dean creates an opportunity for recently drafted Jeremiah Trotter Jr. to compete for a starting spot. Oren Burks, Zack Baun and Ben VanSumeren will also compete for playing time, but Trotter Jr. may be the fan favorite to win the job considering his father Jeremiah Trotter was a former linebacker for the team and is a legend in Philadelphia. Trotter Jr. told reporters in his introductory press conference that he was thankful to get the chance to follow in his father’s footsteps.
“I was just waiting patiently, seeing where I could go,” Trotter Jr. said. “And the Eagles ended up giving me the opportunity to be able to come and I’m ready to go. I’m going to give it everything I got.”
Source: Five camp competitions to watch following Eagles’ stellar draft
