Eagles Stock Up and Down After Preseason Game Against Patriots

Here’s a look at the stock after the Eagles’ preseason game against the Patriots on Thursday night.

Foxborough, Massachusetts — Another week, and another thrilling end to a preseason game.

It’s almost a shame that there isn’t something else like this. Almost.

The Eagles rested a number of their stars and starters on Thursday night, but several Eagles players still made a strong case for themselves, while some may have hurt their chances in the 14-13 win over the Patriots.

The Eagles will return to practice on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday. Their final preseason game will be next Saturday afternoon.

Here’s the latest look at the stock after Thursday’s game:

Stock Up

OL Mekhi Becton

If you needed any more proof that Becton is the Eagles’ starting right guard, you got it on Thursday night. Becton was held out of the game along with the rest of the starting offensive players, and Tyler Steen played instead. Steen started training camp as a right guard but suffered an ankle injury on the third day, and since then, the Eagles have gone with Becton. While Becton has had some ups and downs learning a new position, it’s clear he’s the starter.

DB Avonte Maddox

Maddox seems to be playing essentially as a full-time safety these days. He started on Thursday night and ended the Patriots’ second drive with an interception in the end zone. He jumped a pass intended for Austin Hooper and then returned it 47 yards to set up a field goal drive for the Eagles.“It’s a huge opportunity for him—if he can stay healthy, he could become a really valuable and versatile backup.”Maddox also had 3 tackles and a pass breakup before he was pulled from the game.

LB Zack Baun

After a rough start last week in Baltimore, Baun looked more comfortable at the linebacker position against the Patriots on Thursday night. He started the game alongside Devin White. It wasn’t the case in the joint practice on Tuesday, but the duo was back together for the game.

LB Nakobe Dean

The bad news for Dean is that White and Baun were off the field long before he got his chance, but Dean made the most of his opportunities. The good news is that Dean had a strong night with five combined tackles.

QB Tanner McKee

By the time McKee entered to start the second half, the Patriots had taken out their best defensive linemen. “McKee wasn’t scrambling for his life like Kenny Pickett, but it’s clear that McKee still looked impressive.”He seemed comfortable in the offense, and the ball looked good coming out of his hand. He completed 15 of 19 passes for 140 yards and led a game-winning drive with a 70-yard touchdown and a successful two-point conversion.

DT Moro Ojomo

The second-year defensive lineman continues to make a strong effort for playing time. He was able to cause some disruption several times on Thursday night. We know Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis, and Milton Williams are the starters, but Ojomo has a chance to carve out a real role.

OLB Nolan Smith

Smith got his second sack in two games. This time, Smith fought through a short pass from the linebacker position and then sacked Drake Maye. He may be a bit undersized, but he’s shown strong performance in both of his preseason games.

TE E.J. Jenkins

No one has really claimed the TE3 job, but Jenkins should be among the candidates. He’s been good throughout training camp and continued that in this game after a rare drop in the preseason opener. His 18-yard reception from Will Grier was impressive. Jenkins had a minor injury but said after the game that he’s fine.

RB Will Shipley

Shipley showed some real explosiveness on his second carry, gaining 19 yards on a screen pass. He got good blocking from Dylan McMahon and made a move to reach the second level.

WR Joseph Ngata

The big rookie was targeted 5 times and had 5 receptions for 88 yards. After the game, A.J. Brown came out of the locker room and told a group of reporters that Ngata was the player of the game. He definitely had a strong night.

Stock Down

DB James Bradberry

While he looked solid in training camp, Bradberry wasn’t good at safety in this game. He missed some tackles and let a defensive player get past him after a Drake Maye touchdown and didn’t fulfill his responsibility. It was definitely a step in the wrong direction against the Patriots.

OL Tyler Steen

While Becton rested on Thursday night with the starters, Steen tried to play through an ankle injury but had to leave in the first quarter. Steen went into the blue tent and then needed to be taken inside. He deserves credit for trying to fight through the injury to save his job, but he needs to recover, and the Eagles should start preparing him as a backup.

OL Max Scharping

The Eagles moved to their third-string offensive line in the first half, and Scharping allowed two quick sacks, one to Keion White and then to Deatrich Wise Jr. The Eagles likely brought Scharping in to give them another option at guard, but he was playing tackle. It was a tough start to his night.

John Ross and Johnny Wilson

Two players fighting for the chance to be WR3 for the Eagles are now in the NFL’s concussion protocol. Wilson couldn’t play on Thursday after suffering a concussion in joint practice, and Ross experienced the same during the game.

QB Kenny Pickett

Yes, the line in front of him wasn’t great, but you’d probably like to see more from the Eagles’ backup quarterback. On Thursday, Pickett completed 11 of 13 passes, but for just 67 yards, with an average of 5.2 yards per attempt.

New Kickoff Coverage Rules

The Eagles have started to get used to the new kickoff rules and have some areas to improve. They allowed a kickoff from 32 yards and another from 53 yards in this game, setting up Patriots drives from the 36-yard line and +47-yard line.