15 Eagles to watch in preseason game vs. Browns
15 Eagles to watch in preseason game vs. Browns originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia
After two days of joint practices this week, the Eagles and Browns will play in the second preseason game at the Linc on Saturday at 1 p.m.
Based on all the work the first teams got in two joint practices, don't expect to see many starters in this game.
But there are still plenty of position battles ongoing and plenty of players fighting to make the Eagles' 53-man roster and practice squad.
Here are 15 players to watch on Saturday afternoon:
QB Kyle McCord
It was a rough NFL preseason debut for the Eagles' sixth-round quarterback. Against the Bengals, McCord completed just 1 of 5 passes for 8 yards and threw an interception. While McCord has had an OK training camp, he has clearly been outplayed by veteran Dorian Thompson-Robinson, who is competing with him for the QB 3 job. This is a chance for McCord to catch up a bit.
RB Montrell Johnson
The UDFA running back from Florida got off to a great start in training camp but then missed some time with a hamstring injury. Johnson was removed from the injury report on Thursday, which means he might be able to play on Saturday. He was the most impressive RB after the top three before that injury and a good showing in games could go a long way.
WR Darius Cooper
Let's see if Cooper can do it again. The UDFA from Tarleton State has become the Training Camp Darling of 2025 after his 6 catches for 82 yards and a touchdown against the Bengals. Cooper has looked good throughout training camp and has shown something on special teams too, which is a requirement for a depth receiver. He might be close to having the roster made.
WR Ainias Smith
While fellow Year 2 receiver Johnny Wilson is closing in on being a lock, Smith still needs to show some more. He had a 46-yard punt return in the first preseason game and that's important because that could be his role in 2025 if he makes the team. Avery Williams was expected to make the team as a return man but has had a very quiet training camp.
TE Kylen Granson
The Eagles might not keep three tight ends but Granson has made the most plays among the tight ends on the roster after Dallas Goedert and Grant Calcaterra. Granson (6-3, 242) isn't going to be the big-bodied blocking tight end but he could serve a purpose in this offense as a move" tight end. We'll see if he's able to keep his momentum going in the preseason.
OL Brett Toth
In the two practices since Landon Dickerson suffered a knee injury that required meniscus surgery, Toth has filled in as the starting left guard. So if Dickerson isn't ready for Week 1, there's a chance Toth could make the start between Jordan Mailata and Cam Jurgens. The rest of the starters likely won't be out there on Saturday but it's just another chance to evaluate Toth at guard.
OL Darian Kinnard
If Dickerson isn't ready for Week 1 and the job doesn't go to Toth, another option is Kinnard. During this training camp, Kinnard has played tackle and guard but played exclusively on the right side of the line until the Dickerson injury. Since then, Kinnard has seen reps at left guard. He is clearly another option for the Eagles at that position.
DT Jacob Sykes
He might not have much of a chance to make the roster but keep an eye on Sykes, the first-year player out of UCLA. Sykes (6-3, 282) probably isn't going to see much action as a nose tackle but he has some unique ability as a pass rusher that will probably be worth developing on the practice squad this year if the Eagles can get him there.
DT Gabe Hall
The second-year DT from Baylor is one of the Eagles' most improved players this training camp and has a real shot at making the 53-man roster. Against the Bengals, he played 49 snaps and played well. He could be the fifth DT on the team.
OLB Azeez Ojulari
The veteran edge rusher has mostly had a quiet training camp but did have one really good day against the Browns in joint practices and will get a chance to see the field against them again in this preseason game. Josh Uche has just been better than Ojulari but Ojulari is still likely to make the team.
OLB Ogbo Okoronkwo
If Okoronkwo makes the Eagles' 53-man roster, the 30-year-old would be the oldest player on Vic Fangio's defense. Even though Okoronkwo hasn't played in a defense like Fangio's, he has definitely flashed at times this summer as a pass rusher. If he proves he's not a complete liability dropping into coverage, he might be worth keeping around.
LB Smael Mondon
The fifth-round linebacker from Georgia had some rough moments in his preseason debut, but Mondon has been really good all summer. In fact, if Jihaad Campbell wasn't a first-round pick, we'd all be talking about Mondon way more. He has looked smooth in coverage and has even gotten plenty of first-team reps.
S Drew Mukuba
The No. 64 overall pick from Texas missed the first preseason game with a shoulder injury that also kept him out of practice for a while. Now that he's back as a full participant, Mukuba is making a charge for that starting safety job next to Reed Blankenship. We'll see if Mukuba can overtake Sydney Brown in the next three weeks.
CB Jakorian Bennett
While Bennett was already on the team last Thursday night for the preseason opener, he wasn't yet ready to play. Heck, he hadn't even practiced with the Eagles yet. But now the third-year CB has learned the playbook after getting traded from the Raiders and should have a chance to play in this game. He has ground to make up but Bennett has already gotten some first-team reps.
CB Kelee Ringo
Entering training camp, Ringo seemed like the favorite to win the CB2 job but he hasn't been able to run away with it. And against the Bengals, Ringo really struggled against Joe Burrow and Ja'Marr Chase. While that's obviously tough duty, you'd still like to see Ringo acquit himself better than we saw last week. This is a chance for him to bounce back from that performance.