Taking stock of key positions on the Eagles roster after preseason week 3

Going into the third week of the NFL preseason, some specific storylines were glaring when looking over the Philadelphia Eagles roster. From Josh McCown's return to football, to the RB4 battle and 'secondary squabble', there was plenty to keep an eye on.

It is a shame that the lightning cut the game short on Thursday because I like watching depth players show what they have and how they progress in a few weeks of preseason. However, for both the Philadelphia Eagles and the Baltimore Ravens, no players were hurt, so that is a blessing. Kudos to the Ravens on defense for weeding out the weaknesses of the Eagles offense early on. Patrick Onwuasor and Brandon Carr both got in on a shared sack on Cody Kessler on 4th and 3 in the first quarter. On offense, Trace McSorely threw two touchdowns and rushed for one more. For a quarterback that seemed to have a tough time at the joint practices, he found a way to be the player of the game in week 3 of the preseason.

Soon after Clayton Thorson stepped onto the field for his time of the night against the Baltimore Ravens, the game was terminated due to the weather and lightning. As a precaution to the fans in attendance, teams, and staff, the game was called just before things could get started in the fourth quarter. The Ravens would defeat the Philadelphia Eagles in this shortened game, 26-15. Somehow, that wasn't the strangest preseason game this week. See the Oakland Raiders versus Green Bay Packers, who played their preseason game on an eighty-yard field.

Anyway, here are how three of the biggest storylines have evolved since before the opening kickoff of Thursday night's game.

Eagles QBs: Carson Wentz, Nate Sudfeld, Josh McCown, Clayton Thorson

Okay, so let's get this out of the way real quick. Josh McCown will be the second-string quarterback to Carson Wentz for the time being. I understand that. You understand that. However, do not think that he is a lock for QB2 after Nate Sudfeld returns around week three of the regular season and is healthy. The Philadelphia Eagles will carry three quarterbacks on the main roster with one on the practice squad. Clayton Thorson will be the practice squad quarterback here.

Last night, against the Baltimore Ravens, Cody Kessler got the start before Josh McCown. It caught me by surprise a little bit because no one considered starting Kessler over McCown, even if McCown was just signed to the Philadelphia Eagles this week. McCown had some rust he had to knock off and he probably didn't even know the names of the people in his huddle, but he showed that he was able to make plays when Kessler couldn't. Coming off of a concussion in the second week of the preseason, Clayton Thorson took the reigns in a win against the Jacksonville Jaguars rather than Kessler. After Kessler's performance against the Baltimore Ravens, that may have put the writing on the wall about his stay in Philadelphia:

That's not to say that Josh McCown was perfect last night. However, in comparison, Cody Kessler couldn't hang. McCown completed 17 of 24 passes for one hundred and ninety-two yards and two touchdowns, including this one to Alex Ellis:

Eagles RBs: Jordan Howard, Miles Sanders, Darren Sproles, Corey Clement

This has easily been the toughest judgment call to sort out so far. Jordan Howard and Miles Sanders are having a duel for the top spot, which is something I love to see. Howard may be one of the most underrated running backs in the NFL. The fact that Sanders is already giving him a run for his money to see playing time come week one of the regular season is music to my ears. Darren Sproles proved it last year when he played that he can still be very productive and cause concern for opposing defenses. The real question comes down to who will hold down the final running back roster spot on the Philadelphia Eagles.

Corey Clement is a favorite because he is a true dual threat. He proved in 2017 with Carson Wentz that he is good to catch the ball downfield or out of the backfield and make space ahead of him. However, Josh Adams was the Philadelphia Eagles leading rusher last season. However, he is not as good out of the backfield in passing scenarios. Josh McCown threw a bullet of a pass to Adams that could have been a touchdown but was ultimately dropped. It doesn't help.

The two other running backs that were in the picture were Boston Scott and Wendell Smallwood. Scott would likely have seen playing time before the game was terminated last night. Same with Smallwood. However, the last preseason game against the New York Jets is going to have to be a coming-out party for Smallwood and Scott if they want to prove they have a shot to make the roster.

This play here is one of a few examples as to why I think Corey Clement is the most complete running back to be battling for the fourth spot on the Philadelphia Eagles roster:

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Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Eagles CBs: Ronald Darby, Sidney Jones, Avonte Maddox, Rasul Douglas, Cre'von LeBlanc

Yes, I did not list Jalen Mills. He will be there. He is starting the season on the PUP list. Any uncertainty about Mills not being on the Philadelphia Eagles roster is silly. If at all, he will be predominately in red-zone packages. However, not a lot will change for the locks to make the roster for the cornerback position. Orlando Scandrick may be held on to, but I don't expect him to be active the complete season.

What killed me last night was just how passive Orlando Scandrick, Josh Hawkins, and Jeremiah McKinnon looked at some points with Trace McSorely at quarterback for the Baltimore Ravens. Consider this play, which was McSorely's rushing touchdown:

Following a play where Josh Hawkins was one of three players who failed to take down Mark Andrews on a twenty-five-yard reception, Trace McSorely scored on a rushing touchdown. The last five to seven yards before McSorely even gets to the goal line, he was across the line of scrimmage. Hawkins and Orlando Scandrick needed to be proactive there while Jonathan Cyprien had the only outlet receiver covered in the endzone.

Trace McSorely picked on Jeremiah McKinnon as well on his two passing touchdowns. The first was to Michael Floyd, which didn't surprise me. McKinnon couldn't get it done in one on one coverage against the veteran receiver. However, it was the second touchdown pass from McSorely to Jaleel Scott that I focus on:

While Jeremiah McKinnon is nearby the receiver and Trace McSorely does a good job of throwing the ball towards the sideline where only Jaleel Scott can make the catch, McKinnon needs to make that a fifty-fifty ball. Get a hand up there and obstruct the vision of the receiver. Not a good look to be dunked on for the second time in one on one coverage. However, of the three depth cornerbacks I spoke about, McKinnon did seem to be more physical this week. He may be a special teamer or practice squad player on the Philadelphia Eagles.

Looking Forward

Last night made things tough on being able to get a feel for depth players because the most starters played against the Baltimore Ravens than any other preseason game. That is traditionally how it goes in the NFL, but I think that the starters will be ready for week one against the Washington Redskins. The Philadelphia Eagles offensive line is getting deeper. The skill positions are getting sharper. It'll be interesting to see how other fringe players perform against the New York Jets because this is the last call to make the Eagles and also an ongoing evaluation to make it on another roster in the league.

Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports