10 bubble players to watch in the Eagles' preseason opener vs. the ...

22 days ago

Eagles Wire

10 bubble players to watch in the Eagles preseason opener vs the

We’re looking at ten bubble players to watch in the Philadelphia Eagles preseason opener against the Baltimore Ravens

We’re just hours away from the Eagles’ preseason opener against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium. The rain-soaked matchup provides the perfect backdrop for several players on the roster bubble to stand out in a game that will see Philadelphia’s starters play one series.

For the Ravens, Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry are among the starters for Baltimore expected to sit out.

With kickoff quickly approaching, here are ten players on the roster bubble to watch.

WR Joseph Ngata

May 30, 2024; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Joseph Ngata (86) practices at NovaCare Complex. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Ngata needs a solid showing to avoid getting lost in the wide receiver battle behind Britain Covey, Johnny Wilson, and John Ross.

OL Mekhi Becton

Jul 28, 2021; Florham Park, NJ, United States; New York Jets offensive tackle Mekhi Becton (77) looks on during training camp at Atlantic Health Jets Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

A strong showing in the preseason opener could give Becton the edge in the battle Tyler Steen.

WR John Ross

Ross has gone from the potential third wide receiver to someone who has lost some momentum to Johnny Wilson and Britain Covey.

RB Tyrion Davis-Price

May 30, 2024; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles running back Tyrion Davis-Price (35) and running back Kendall Milton (36) look on at practice at NovaCare Complex. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Price-Davis needs a strong training camp to justify Philadelphia keeping four running backs on the roster, and he’s currently behind Lew Nichols on the depth chart.

OL Max Scharping

Oct 8, 2023; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Cincinnati Bengals guard Max Scharping (74) against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Scharping has 33 career starts and brings more versatility and depth to the offensive line group. Friday offers the first chance to prove he belongs in Stoutland’s group.

TE Albert Okwuegbunam Jr.

Aug 1, 2024; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles tight end Albert Okwuegbunam Jr. (85) catches the ball during a training camp practice at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

This preseason likely offers Okwuegbunam the final chance to prove to the Eagles that he can be a downfield option in the passing game behind Dallas Goedert and Grant Calcaterra.

DT Marlon Tuipulotu

Aug 12, 2022; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; New York Jets guard Alijah Vera-Tucker (75) blocks Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Marlon Tuipulotu (95) at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

Tuipulotu is a stout run-stopper who has played 28 games in three seasons, with 232 snaps being his career high in a single season.

DT Thomas Booker IV

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – OCTOBER 23: Thomas Booker IV #56 of the Houston Texans tackles Foster Moreau #87 of the Las Vegas Raiders in the third quarter at Allegiant Stadium on October 23, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

The Texans selected former Stanford defensive tackle Thomas Booker in the fifth round of the 2022 NFL Draft. Booker played in 15 games last season, registering 10 tackles, a pass deflection, and half a sack. Friday night allows Booker to compete with Moro Ojomo and Marlon Tuipulotu in the position battle.

LB Ben VanSumeren

Dec 31, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Ben VanSumeren (57) in a game against the Arizona Cardinals at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

VanSumeren is a tackling machine, and the poor weather in Baltimore gives the former Michigan State linebacker another chance to show that he can be an every-down linebacker.

CB Tyler Hall

Nov 12, 2023; Paradise, Nevada, USA; New York Jets running back Breece Hall (20) is tackled by Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Tyler Hall (37) during the fourth quarter at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

Hall spent time on the Raiders’ active roster and practice squad last season, appearing in 11 games.

The Wyoming product recorded 20 tackles while seeing snaps in the slot on defense and special teams, and Friday night offers an opportunity to show that he can play multiple spots.

CB Eli Ricks

Oct 22, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Eli Ricks (39) reacts after after breaking up a pass on fourth down against the Miami Dolphins during the fourth quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

The former Alabama cornerback is stuck behind Quinyon Mitchell, Isaiah Rodgers, and Kelee Ringo for the outside cornerback spot. Friday night offers Ricks an opportunity to prove to Vic Fangio that he can be the fifth or sixth cornerback.

DB Andre Sam

Safety Andre’ Sam 14 makes a tackle as the LSU Tigers take on Texas A&M in Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, November 25, 2023.

Sam (5-11, 191 pounds) made the jump from FCS after starting his career in 2017 at McNeese State, where he was selected First Team All-Southland Conference twice. Sam transferred to Marshall for the 2022 season before spending last year at LSU. Overall, he played 58 games in college, registering 144 tackles, 10 pass defenses, and nine interceptions. Friday night offers a chance to create a roster battle with James Bradberry and Tristin McCollum for the fourth safety spot.