Eagles stock watch: Risers and fallers from preseason opener
· Yahoo Sports
The final score offered only part of the story from the Philadelphia Eagles’ preseason opener. Philadelphia’s 24-7 loss to the Baltimore Ravens was concerning because its reserves were decisively outplayed for most of the night.
The Eagles finished with 159 total yards, six first downs and no conversions on nine third-down opportunities. They also committed 10 penalties for 96 yards and possessed the football for only 18 minutes, 43 seconds. Most of Philadelphia’s projected starters did not play, but that created valuable opportunities for young players and veterans competing for roles.
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Here are the biggest risers and fallers from the preseason opener.
Stock up: LB Jeremiah Trotter Jr.
Trotter continued an impressive training camp by finishing with five tackles and a sack. He consistently worked his way around the football, displayed his instincts against the run and showed his ability to pressure the quarterback when Tyler Huntley attempted to escape the pocket. The Eagles have Zack Baun and Jihaad Campbell positioned for significant roles, but Trotter is making a strong argument for defensive snaps. His ability to defend the run, blitz and contribute on special teams gives Philadelphia another dependable option at linebacker.
Stock up: QB Cole Payton
Payton did not enter the game until the fourth quarter, but the fifth-round pick provided Philadelphia’s offense with its only productive stretch. He completed 4 of 9 passes for 37 yards and found Erik Ezukanma for a 6-yard touchdown.
Payton’s mobility provided the bigger spark. He rushed three times for 45 yards, including a 17-yard gain on fourth-and-3 that kept the Eagles’ scoring drive alive. His passing remains a work in progress, but his athleticism and off-script playmaking offered Sean Mannion something the offense had been missing.
Stock up: DT Ty Robinson
Robinson entered the preseason needing to strengthen his position in a crowded defensive line room. He accomplished that by beating Ravens guard Emery Jones Jr. for a seven-yard sack during Baltimore’s opening possession.
The sack helped push the Ravens out of comfortable field-goal range before Tyler Loop missed from 49 yards. Robinson did not dominate the entire game, but interior defensive linemen fighting for roster spots must produce disruptive plays. He put one on film Saturday night.
Stock up: CB Shaun Wade
Wade made two of Philadelphia’s most important defensive plays. He broke up a deep pass intended for Dayton Wade before forcing Elijah Sarratt’s third-quarter fumble, which Ambry Thomas recovered.
The Eagles have established starters at the top of the cornerback depth chart, but injuries have created additional evaluation opportunities. Wade’s ability to play the football, tackle and potentially contribute on special teams gives him a chance to remain in the roster conversation.
Stock up: CB Kelee Ringo
Ringo’s performance was not flawless, but his end-zone interception provided one of the game’s few highlights for Philadelphia. With Baltimore threatening to extend its lead before halftime, Ringo stayed with Xavier Guillory and made an athletic fingertip catch to prevent a touchdown.
Ringo entered camp needing to prove he can provide dependable defensive depth in addition to his special-teams value. There were uneven moments in coverage, but responding with a takeaway demonstrated the short memory required at cornerback.
Stock up: OLB Joshua Weru
Weru played organized football for the first time and immediately flashed the physical ability that made him an intriguing International Player Pathway addition. The former rugby player generated a quarterback hit during his first defensive series, forcing an incompletion on third down.
Weru remains a developmental prospect who needs time to learn the position, but his speed and explosiveness were noticeable. Philadelphia must determine whether it can safely continue his development without using a spot on the initial 53-man roster.
Stock up: DT Uar Bernard
Bernard joined Weru in playing his first organized football game. The Nigerian defensive tackle displayed his strength by creating movement with a bull rush during his initial defensive snaps.
Bernard is even earlier in his development after beginning training camp with almost no traditional football experience. He is unlikely to provide immediate defensive help, but holding his own physically against NFL competition represented an encouraging first step.
Stock up without playing: WR Dontayvion Wicks
Wicks’ absence may have said more about his standing than anything he could have accomplished during the game. Philadelphia rested Wicks while Hollywood Brown, Elijah Moore, Darius Cooper and several other receivers participated.
With DeVonta Smith and Makai Lemon recovering from hamstring injuries, Wicks has consistently worked with prominent offensive groups. Sitting out the opener suggests the Eagles may already view him as an established part of their regular-season receiver rotation.
Stock down: QB Andy Dalton
Dalton started but could not move Philadelphia’s offense during his three possessions. He completed 3 of 6 passes for 20 yards while the Eagles ran nine plays, gained 12 yards and failed to register a first down.
Drops and penalties did not help Dalton, and Philadelphia operated a basic version of Mannion’s offense. Still, the veteran had an opportunity to create separation in the backup quarterback competition and failed to capitalize.
Stock down: QB Tanner McKee
McKee replaced Dalton and encountered many of the same problems. He completed 6 of 10 passes for 35 yards, took a nine-yard sack and failed to convert any of his third-down opportunities.
The offense produced only 40 yards on 20 plays with McKee on the field. Protection issues and penalties disrupted multiple possessions, but McKee did not generate the explosive plays needed to overcome them. The competition to back up Jalen Hurts remains unsettled.
Stock down: WR Darius Cooper
Cooper led Philadelphia with 21 receiving yards on two catches, but his early third-down drop prevented the offense from extending a possession. It was a disappointing mistake for a player who has consistently made difficult catches throughout training camp.
With Smith and Lemon sidelined and Wicks resting, Cooper had an opportunity to make a significant statement. One drop will not erase his productive summer, but roster competitions are often decided by execution in critical situations.
Stock down: TE Eli Stowers
Stowers caught all three of his targets for 12 yards, but his blocking was inconsistent. A holding penalty on Philadelphia’s first offensive play immediately placed Dalton and the offense behind schedule.
The rookie remains one of the Eagles’ most intriguing developmental players because of his athleticism and receiving potential. However, becoming a dependable option behind Dallas Goedert will require Stowers to handle the less glamorous responsibilities of the position.
This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: Eagles stock watch: Risers and fallers from preseason opener