3 under the radar Eagles who stood out against the Jets
While the Eagles ultimately fell to the Jets in their first preseason game, there were still a lot of positives to take away. A lot of focus will be on the success the first team offense and defense had, but other players battling for roster spots were also able to have themselves a solid night. Here are three players that had a good game Friday that you may not have picked up on.
1. Josh Blackwell, Corner
Josh Blackwell is a UDFA corner out of Duke who is battling for a roster spot. Blackwell got a lot of run in the second half of the game and made the most of his opportunities. Blackwell recorded five tackles in the game, with his best play coming when he diagnosed the screen and was able to make a quick tackle. With the talent the Eagles have at the corner position, it may be hard for Blackwell to crack the final 53, but if he keeps performing like he did Friday, it is going to be hard to leave him out. Even if he doesn’t make the final roster he is still a practice squad candidate.
2. Reed Blankenship, Safety
Blankenship led the Eagles in tackles against the Jets with eight and he was all around the ball. Blankenship is also fighting for a roster spot in the Eagles’ secondary. The UDFA out of Middle Tennesse State was able to log 35 defensive snaps and made his presence known. He was able to get involved in almost every play and seemed to always be around the ball. The Eagles’ depth at safety isn’t as loaded as the depth at the corner position so Blankenship definitely has a strong chance to make the final roster if he keeps performing like he did Friday.
3. Tarron Jackson, Defensive End
With the Eagles’ stacked defensive line it may be easy to forget some of the other guys lower on the depth chart. Second-year defensive end Tarron Jackson out of Coastal Carolina showed Friday that the depth of this line goes well beyond the second team. Jackson was disruptive when he got his opportunity. Jackson recorded two tackles along with a QB hit. Jackson isn’t fighting for a roster spot like the other two players listed, but he is battling for rotational snaps. With the training camp he has had and the success he had Friday night, Jackson could push for meaningful snaps in the regular season come September.
Featured Image: Mitchell Leff/Getty Images
Discover more from Philadelphia Sports Nation
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Categorized:Eagles