Practice Squad

Posted: September 2nd, 2021 | Author: | Filed under: Philadelphia Eagles | 1 Comment »

On Wednesday the Eagles put 15 players on their practice squad. The squad has three key functions. It provides depth for the upcoming season, works on player development and also helps with practice.

Let’s look at the PS.

Depth is the most important part. Players can be ready to join the active roster when there is an injury. In recent years the league has changed the rules and allowed some veterans to be put on the PS. That’s been a good change. It helps to keep those players employed and it helps the team. Jordan Howard is a perfect example. He is a veteran role player. You aren’t developing him for the future. The Eagles will activate him when they need help at RB. Howard can step in and play right away.

Player development is obviously more of a long term thing. The Eagles liked JaCoby Stevens enough to draft him. He got hurt this summer and wasn’t able to earn a roster spot. The Eagles saw flashes of ability from him, but Stevens needs practice to develop his game and adjust to the NFL. The PS is perfect for him. OL Kayode Awosika wasn’t drafted, but he’s got NFL ability. He needs time to hone his skills. I was worried some other team might claim him, but he made it through and now can develop his game.

Guys like Le’Raven Clark, Michael Jacquet, Craig James and Sua Opeta have played in the NFL. They have some room for development, but a big part of their value is practice. They will help the Eagles starters go hard on Wednesdays and Thursdays during the season. A team that practices well usually will play well. You need the guys on the PS to battle in practice so the starters stay sharp between games and work on improving the small parts of their game.

Here are some thoughts on the players:

RB Jordan Howard – Feels almost certain he’ll be on the active roster at some point. Good power runner. Good blocker. Just doesn’t have much athleticism. Happy to be in Philly after a miserable time in Miami last year.

RB Jason Huntley – Speedy runner had a chance to make the team. He is a talented KOR and is dangerous in the open field. Hasn’t shown he can function within the offense and take advantage of his speed. Does have upside.

WR John Hightower – Another speedster. Has upside and will be back in the league at some point. Played well vs the Jets, catching short passes and working in traffic. Also played on STs. Was a gunner on some punts. KOR. Just needs to stay healthy and keep working on his game.

WR Travis Fulgham – Mystery man. Talented player who looked like a Pro Bowl player for a month in 2020 and then disappeared. Didn’t have a good camp or preseason. The ability is there, but the light needs to go on for him. The NFL is only so patient.

OT Le’Raven Clark – Played LT in the second half vs the Jets. Could function as an OT in the NFL right now, but isn’t good and doesn’t have much upside. He can improve a bit, but largely is what he is. Ideal for the PS. Can learn the scheme and get promoted if needed.

OG Sua Opeta – Didn’t get better this summer. Powerful blocker who has good moments, but is sloppy with his hands and limited athletically. Has NFL potential, but must improve. Just didn’t do that this year.

OG Kayode Awosika – Played some RT in the preseason and struggled. Got moved to RG and looked right at home. Powerful, physical run blocker. Needs to work on pass blocking and technique. Definitely has roster potential in the future. Absolutely a guy to develop for the future.

OC Ross Pierschbacher – Was the #3 center this summer. Has good feet and some athleticism. Looked pretty good at times, but just didn’t quite show enough to make the active roster.

DE Matt Leo – International player who won’t count against the 16-player limit. Has some size and natural ability, but looks awfully raw. Worth taking a flier on.

DT Raequan Williams – Could be the DT version of Steven Means. Plays hard. I assume he practices the same way. Means got rave reviews from the OL he battled in practice. Williams has limited upside, but DTs with a motor can make it in the league. Must get stronger. Struggled vs the run this summer.

LB JaCoby Stevens – Had some flashes in camp before getting hurt. Showed flashes in the Jets game. Tackled well in space. Looked good on the move. Struggled between the tackles. Must get bigger/stronger to be functional in the base defense. Could be good on STs and in a specialty role. Has a lot of potential.

S Grayland Arnold – He didn’t stand out this summer. Good effort, but just hasn’t made plays or shown much. Limited upside. I was a little surpised they kept him around. Might be someone who has impressed the coaches in practice and meetings.

S Elijah Riley – I thought he had a legit chance to make the roster. Tackled well. Showed potential in coverage. Played well on STs. Natural leader and a high character player. Could develop into a solid role player.

CB Michael Jacquet – Felt like QBs picked on him every week. Gave up a ton of catches. Tackled very well. I wondered if he might have potential as a safety. Just not a good corner.

CB Craig James – Got hurt this summer so we didn’t get to see him do much. Good STer. Has shown some CB potential in the past. Could develop into an effective backup.

***

These aren’t official, but…

Wilson is really interesting if that turns out to be true. He has big time potential. He also has issues. Wilson was erratic at FSU. He didn’t look good at all down at the Senior Bowl. He didn’t play well this summer.

He was thought to be a potential first round pick just a year ago.

Wilson needs time and coaching. He is big, powerful and has some athleticism. But boy, he’s been a mess for the past year. There is a lot of work to be done.

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One Comment on “Practice Squad”

  1. 1 The Linc – Kenny Gainwell among best preseason rookies graded by PFF – Therapy Box said at 9:17 AM on September 3rd, 2021:

    […] Practice Squad – Iggles BlitzDepth is the most important part. Players can be ready to join the active roster when there is an injury. In recent years the league has changed the rules and allowed some veterans to be put on the PS. That’s been a good change. It helps to keep those players employed and it helps the team. Jordan Howard is a perfect example. He is a veteran role player. You aren’t developing him for the future. The Eagles will activate him when they need help at RB. Howard can step in and play right away. Player development is obviously more of a long term thing. The Eagles liked JaCoby Stevens enough to draft him. He got hurt this summer and wasn’t able to earn a roster spot. The Eagles saw flashes of ability from him, but Stevens needs practice to develop his game and adjust to the NFL. The PS is perfect for him. OL Kayode Awosika wasn’t drafted, but he’s got NFL ability. He needs time to hone his skills. I was worried some other team might claim him, but he made it through and now can develop his game. […]