The Philadelphia Eagles put full pads on for the first time in training camp, and rookie linebacker Jihaad Campbell quickly made use of them, making a big tackle on tight end Dallas Goedert. This flash of instincts and physicality has convinced coaches that Campbell will be a valuable addition to the team.
Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio says he sees Campbell improving every day and believes he’ll live up to expectations if he can continue to make progress. However, other areas of the defense are still unclear, including the secondary.
The Eagles lost several key contributors in the offseason, including edge rushers Brandon Graham and Josh Sweat, defensive tackle Milton Williams, safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson, and cornerback Darius Slay. The secondary is still being sorted out, with rookie Andrew Mukuba currently sidelined with a shoulder injury.
Fangio has been experimenting with different players, including standout nickel corner Cooper DeJean at safety in base packages. DeJean says he’s excited to play multiple positions and trusts the coaches to put him in the best spot for the team.
The cornerback position is also up for grabs, with Kelee Ringo splitting reps with Adoree’ Jackson. Ringo has shown improvement recently, but the competition remains fierce.
Depth along the edge is a question mark, with Joshua Uche and Azeez Ojulari on one-year deals to solidify the position. However, Moro Ojomo’s emergence has added excitement to the unit, with Jordan Mailata predicting he’ll be special.
Despite some areas still being sorted out, the defense seems to be coming together. The unit finished last season strong, allowing just 17.8 points per game, and it bodes well for another successful season if key positions can be locked down.
Source: https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/45868739/philadelphia-eagles-vic-fangio-defense-jihaad-campbell