5 players who need to shine for Eagles in OTAs

PHILADELPHIA – During these organized team activities, the Eagles will have a better opportunity than in past years to evaluate some of their younger players who haven't played much, or at all.

The Eagles have at least eight players recovering from surgeries either last season or during the offseason, most notably quarterback Carson Wentz, left tackle Jason Peters, running back Darren Sproles, linebacker Jordan Hicks, wide receiver Alshon Jeffery and defensive linemen Brandon Graham and Tim Jernigan.

That leaves plenty of opportunities for others to get a chance to prove themselves. The Eagles will begin their second of three weeks of OTAs on Tuesday.

"We've got some young talented guys that we need to find out about," Eagles coach Doug Pederson said. "We need to get some answers on players, and this is the time to do that."

Nelson Agholor, for example, used the chance provided last spring to show that he could play the slot receiver. Jordan Matthews didn't participate in OTAs because he was dealing with a knee injury. Agholor was so impressive that Matthews was later traded and Agholor went on to have by far the best season of his career.

That's not to say that any of the five players listed below will have the kind of impact that Agholor had, but they will get a chance to. It will be up to them to take advantage.

Sidney Jones

Jones could have that kind of impact, and the Eagles might be expecting it. That's because much of their plans at cornerback this spring hinge on Jones establishing himself as a starter.

The Eagles didn't bring back slot corner Patrick Robinson, and the expectation is that Jalen Mills will take Robinson's spot while Jones plays on the outside. Jones was the Eagles' second-round draft pick in 2017 who missed all but the regular-season finale with a torn Achilles. He hurt his hamstring during that regular-season finale against Dallas and didn't play in the postseason.

He is healthy now, and he's eager to prove himself, although he spent the first day of practice last week as the slot corner, a position he has never played before. Jones said that was mostly the Eagles experimenting.

"Last year was a little taste," Jones said. "I practiced [late in the season], and they saw my ability. [Playing in that one game] meant a lot to me. I was on the border, am I going to play or not? I was ready. Just getting my feet wet before I start playing this year is actually good for me.

"I think [OTAs] are very necessary for my improvement as a player."

Corey Nelson

His importance increased drastically after Mychal Kendricks was released and Paul Worrilow tore his ACL. Nelson, signed as a free agent, now is the favorite to start at outside linebacker, the role that Kendricks had.

The Eagles don't have many other options. LaRoy Reynolds, who spent the last two seasons with the Atlanta Falcons as a part-time player, and Nathan Gerry, the Eagles' fifth-round pick in 2017, are the only others with a chance to play in place of Nelson.

Nelson played in only five games last season before tearing his biceps muscle. He was a part-time player in Denver, serving mostly as a special teams player. He'll get the first chance to fill Kendricks' role, which in the Eagles' defense, was to play about 30 percent of the defensive snaps.

Donnel Pumphrey

Pumphrey's rookie season was a disaster. He came into spring drills last year weighing only 178 pounds. Drafted as a possible replacement for Darren Sproles, Pumphrey struggled both as a runner and a receiver, and even as a punt returner.

He was the fifth running back on the roster. Then he hurt his hamstring and was placed on injured reserve.

The Eagles have four returning backs in Jay Ajayi, Sproles, Corey Clement and Wendell Smallwood. Plus, they signed Matt Jones as a free agent and Josh Adams as an undrafted free agent.

Pumphrey, to say the least, has his work cut out for him to make the roster.

"I feel good about where I'm at," said Pumphrey, who said he's up to 186 pounds. "I welcome the competition. I have a lot to prove."

Joe Callahan

Nobody is saying that Callahan, the Wesley College star, will play this season. In fact, the Eagles signed him one day after he was released by Green Bay, specifically not to play.

After all, if Carson Wentz is healthy, then Nick Foles is the backup and either Callahan or returnee Nate Sudfeld is the third-string quarterback. The third-string QB is almost always inactive on game day.

But if Wentz isn't ready for the start of the season, then Foles will be the starter, and either Callahan or Sudfeld would be the backup. And that makes this spring important for Callahan, who is trying to learn the system while competing for a job. 

"The terminology is a little different," he said. "But at least they have a similar playbook in terms of concepts and ideas, kind of the thought process is pretty similar ... Being new in the program, I’m asking a ton of questions [of the other quarterbacks]. They’ve been willing to answer as many questions as I can come up with. They’re helping me out with everything. I’m excited to be in this QB room."

Shelton Gibson

Gibson is in a similar situation as Pumphrey. Gibson was the Eagles' fifth-round pick last season and didn't show anything. The Eagles then signed veteran free agents Mike Wallace and Markus Wheaton in addition to bringing back Jeffery, Agholor and Mack Hollins.

That leaves Gibson competing for that sixth spot along with returnees Bryce Treggs and Greg Ward. 

And like Pumphrey, it will be make or break time for Gibson, too.

Contact Martin Frank at mfrank@delawareonline.com. Follow on Twitter @Mfranknfl.