Eagles Offer Early Roster Hints In 19-17 Preseason Win Over Jets

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - The Eagles provided a few 53-man roster Easter eggs in Friday’s 19-17 preseason finale win over the New York Jets.

The first hints came pre-game when deference status was given to first-round rookie linebacker Jihaad Campbell, cornerback Adoree' Jackson, safety Sydney Brown, offensive lineman Matt Pryor, and running back A.J. Dillon.

That foreshadows the idea of Campbell, Jackson, and Brown likely being Week 1 starters against Dallas, while Pryor had the inside track on swing tackle and Dillon will be RB3 behind Saquon Barkley and Will Shipley.

Hidden deeper was defensive tackle Byron Young being a team captain for the game, and standing out with two tackles, including one for loss.

Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio has given Young a nickname (BY) over the summer and brought him up multiple times unprompted in press conferences when discussing his defensive tackle depth.

Also, rookie Drew Kendall started at center and moved to left guard in the second series. The Boston College product was then given the rest of the half off when Kenyon Green entered to play LG.

Aug 22, 2025; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Jakorian Bennett (49) warms up before the game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium. | Mark Smith-Imagn Images

That’s an indication that Kendall will be a game-day backup, and there’s an outside possibility that he could be a Week 1 starter at LG if Pro Bowl stalwart Landon Dickerson can’t make it back from his meniscus surgery.

The WR situation behind the top three of A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, and Jahan Dotson remains in flux. The good news for Ainias Smith is that he got all four punt returns in the first half, but had two drops at WR.

The newly acquired John Metchie had another drop and Darius Cooper was bracketed in coverage when Kyle McCord threw an ill-advised interception on a deep shot.

The most notable players getting game action on Friday night were LB Jeremiah Trotter Jr., CB Jakorian Bennett, Metchie, Edge rusher Azeez Ojulari, and Smith, Cooper, and Avery Williams.

Presumptive QB3, rookie Kyle McCord, got the entire game, a troubling sign for offseason trade pickup Dorian Thompson-Robinson.

McCord was hardly dynamic, finishing 15 of 35 for 136 yards and an interception. He wasn't terribly accurate but was the victim of several drops throughout the game.

Two players who haven't flashed much this summer did so during their final opportunity. Rookie edge rusher Antwaun Powell-Ryland had at least five impressive pass rushes and generated a strip sack, while safety Lewis Cine had an impressive diving interception of Adrian Martinez.

Placekicker Jake Elliott was also stellar, making all four of his field goals, including two of over 50 yards. Elliott had only one 50-yard field goal in the 2024-25 regular season.

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