The Eagles have some options now that their linebacking corps actually has some depth. Baun has some positional versatility, too, having played plenty of outside linebacker. According to Pro Football Focus, Baun had 252 snaps on the edge compared to just 33 as an off-ball linebacker and primarily was used as a pass rusher rather than dropping into coverage. Fangio prefers his edge rushers do both. Could that mean the Eagles prefer Baun on the inside? We’ll see.

The Eagles also signed Oren Burks and drafted Jeremiah Trotter Jr.

Expect the Eagles to give Dean every chance to prove he belongs, but they’ve at least given themselves additional options.

Cornerback spots up for grabs

Darius Slay will man one outside corner spot this season, and all signs point to the other side not being occupied by James Bradberry, whose future with the Eagles is in question.

The Eagles addressed arguably their biggest deficiency this offseason when they used their first two draft picks on cornerbacks, selecting Quinyon Mitchell 22nd overall before grabbing Cooper DeJean 18 picks later.

During OTAs and minicamp, the Eagles had multiple players taking first-team reps opposite Slay, including ex-Colt Isaiah Rodgers, who missed all of last season while sitting out due to a gambling suspension, and Kelee Ringo, a fourth-round pick in 2023.

Mitchell took the majority of his reps with the second-team defense, and training camp will offer the rookie a chance to work himself into the starting lineup. But assuming Rodgers maintains his level of play, and Ringo continues to assert himself, the Eagles might be able to bring their first-round pick along slowly. Same with DeJean.

As for the starting slot corner job, that’s pretty open, too, though Avonte Maddox might have a leg up on the others even while cross-training at safety. Mitchell got a few looks there during minicamp, and DeJean could profile to play there in the near future.

Right guard

The job at right guard is most likely Tyler Steen’s to lose, let’s make that clear first.

Cam Jurgens is moving to center with Jason Kelce gone. Steen, the Eagles’ 2023 third-round pick out of Alabama, took all of the first-team reps during minicamp.

Steen’s situation isn’t all that dissimilar to Dean’s, though his status as a starter is more secure. The Eagles added two players with starting guard experience in Matt Hennessy and Max Scharping. Both appear to be behind Steen on the depth chart.

Then there’s Mekhi Becton, the former Jets tackle who was the 11th pick in the 2020 draft. Becton started 30 games at tackle during his first three seasons, but the Eagles think the 6-foot-7, 363-pound lineman can play inside, too. They lined him up at starting left guard while Landon Dickerson missed the three-day minicamp in June.

The Eagles would probably prefer Steen take the reins and flourish, but like in other spots, they have alternatives.

Returner

Covey was one of the best punt returners in the NFL last season. But his job may not be 100% safe. The Eagles brought in multiple players with returning experience, including three rookies in DeJean, Ainias Smith, and running back Will Shipley. Rodgers also has experience returning kicks.

Covey is rarely (if ever) used in the passing game, and it’s possible the Eagles could decide that they don’t want to use a 53-man spot on a player with a niche role, though they have in the past.

There are new rules in the kicking game, too, and the Eagles are going to take a long look at their options during camp.