6 Eagles Position Battles Still Up For Grabs Vs. Patriots

The joint practice portion of training camp is complete.

After an intense two practices in Foxborough with the New England Patriots, the Philadelphia Eagles wrap up their week up north with the preseason game Saturday night. This matchup is about the second and third team starters getting an opportunity to play after the first team butted heads all week.

This is a critical game for some position battles where starting jobs aren't on the line. The Eagles have to fill out their 53-man roster, so this preseason game goes a long way towards winning those battles.

The Eagles have quite a few position battles that still need to be determined with a week left in training camp. These are the position battles to watch on Saturday as you tune in to the Eagles' second preseason game.

No. 2 quarterback

The contenders: Andy Dalton, Tanner McKee

Dalton is the front runner for this job and the expected starter in Saturday's game. He's taken the majority of the QB2 snaps in practice, even though the Eagles have split the second team reps between Dalton and McKee.

While Dalton didn't fare well in the preseason opener, he seems to have a better feel for the offense than McKee. Dalton knows how to get the ball out quickly and keep the pace moving. He should see an extended run on Saturday.

McKee will get a lot of playing time as well. This battle is coming down to the final week of camp.

No. 4 wide receiver

The contenders: Hollywood Brown, Elijah Moore

The first question being asked here. Where is Darius Cooper?

Cooper is expected to be on this roster, but his role has been established as a WR5. He's not expected to see many snaps when the games count. That can't be said for Brown or Moore, who are batting for the WR4 spot -- and a spot on the roster.

The Eagles have $5 million reasons not to part ways with Brown, but Moore is making it difficult for him to cut. Both players will see some snaps tonight in the early going.

While the Eagles could keep Brown and Moore, that may come at the expense of Cooper. Both players are fighting for roster spots in the final week.

No. 2 tight end

The contenders: Johnny Mundt, Eli Stowers

This isn't as much of a battle, even though Stowers is a secodn-round pick. Stowers has struggled to get open this summer, and his blocking is a work in progress. He's batting against himself for playing time and not being a healthy scratch.

Mundt is the de facto TE2, and didn't play in the preseason opener. He may not play on Saturday either.

This game is about Stowers developing confidence and demonstrating he's playable come Week 1. Stowers will be getting a significant amount of snaps in this one.

No. 3 tackle

The contenders: Markel Bell, Fred Johnson

Bell has separated himself from Johnson as the tackle who would replace Lane Johnson or Jordan Mailata if either need a few plays. He's acclimated himself well to right tackle and the Eagles had him there over Johnson in the team portion of the joint practices.

Johnson is still a valuable swing tackle, but the Eagles need to develop Bell as he's the successor to lane Johnson at right tackle. The Eagles need tackle depth, and Johnson provides that.

Bell should see a lot of right tackle on Saturday, with Johnson on the left side. The Eagles could switch both up at some point in the game too.

No. 4 cornerback

The contenders: Kelee Ringo, Mac McWilliams

The depth the Eagles have at cornerback is being significantly challenged. Jonathan Jones is the top backup behind starters Quinyon Mitchell, Cooper DeJean, and Tariq Woolen, -- yet he may be out a while due to a shoulder injury.

The injuries have mounted behind Jones. Jakorian Bennett has a knee injury and Tariq Castro-Fields played through a heel injury before landing on injured reserve.

Ringo may make this roster by default since he's an excellent special teams player. McWilliams is fighting for a roster spot as well. Both players should see a lot of playing time on Saturday.

If Jones is healthy, this battle doesn't exist. Instead, the Eagles have two players fighting for a roster spot -- and a critical part of the secondary.

No. 4 safety

The contenders: Andre Sam, Cole Wisniewski, Maximus Pulley

Due to the injuries at cornerback, the No. 4 safety spot comes into play. The Eagles have a reason to keep just three safeties -- Andrew Mukuba, Marcus Epps, and Michael Carter -- and provide depth to other areas of the roster.

The Eagles are going to have to consider another safety, maybe even two if Carter goes down to cornerback for added depth. This is where Sam, Wisniewski, and Pulley come in.

Sam has been the best of the bunch and has hung around on the practice squad for years. He's developed smoothly and may be ready for a role on the 53-man roster. Wisniewski just returned to practice after missing nearly three weeks with a hamstring injury and Pulley has stood out as an undrfated free agent.

Kapena Gushiken, another undrafted free agent, is also in the mix as an extra defensive back -- since he can play the slot and safety. Gushiken is also a good special teams player.

This battle is wide open, and all four players will see extended playing time on Saturday.

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