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Week 1 is here. All those training camp practice reports are last month's news. The preseason hype and debates will be forgotten in Philadelphia come Sunday at 4:25 p.m. ET, when the Eagles kick off against the Washington Commanders.
There's no use in writing, "I told you so!" four months from now, so let's document superlatives before the storylines shuffle. (Here's the 2025 version for comparison's sake.)
Most likely award winner
Jalen Carter as Defensive Player of the Year
The Eagles might have the NFL's best defense this season, and Carter could be their best player. He signed a deal making him the highest-paid defensive tackle in the NFL. He enters this season healthier than last year. Remember how he looked in the postseason in January 2025? Carter can have that effect all year. His statistics have not matched his impact on games in his career (13.5 sacks in three seasons), though it wouldn't be far-fetched to see that sack number increase. It would be difficult for a defensive tackle to win the award without double-digit sacks.
Carter's preseason odds have been in the top 10 in this category by multiple sportsbooks. Jalen Hurts as MVP was under consideration, although I'm not sure he'll accumulate prolific passing numbers even if the Eagles are among the NFL's best teams. Carter leading the NFL's No. 1 defense might be a better path to an award.
Last year: Jalen Hurts as MVP
Most likely to earn first Pro Bowl honors
DeVonta Smith
Without A.J. Brown, Smith is in line for a major jump in volume and production. Even if the Eagles are a run-first team, that type of increase could put Smith firmly in contention with the top four receivers in the NFC.
Smith has averaged 121.4 targets per 17 games during the past four seasons; Brown averaged 142.9 per 17 games. If Smith remains healthy and is targeted 150 times, he could finish with 90-100 catches and 1,250-1,500 yards. If he's targeted 160-plus times like Puka Nacua and Jaxon Smith-Njigba, watch out. Jordan Mailata also remains a perennial contender for this award. Jordan Davis might have a word, too.
Last year: Jordan Mailata
The next breakout star
Jalyx Hunt
If last season was a "breakout" year for Hunt by leading the Eagles in sacks and interceptions, this season might be the year he's recognized as one of the NFL's top young edge rushers. Double-digit sacks are within reach. He was one of the best players on the field this summer. He has the tools to do everything desired at the position, and his skills match his frame and athleticism. Hunt could follow Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean by leaping to stardom. Sharing snaps with Jonathan Greenard and Nolan Smith might help: 5.5 of Hunt's 6.5 sacks last season came after the Eagles acquired Jaelan Phillips, including two multi-sack performances.
Last year: Quinyon Mitchell
From backup to key starter
Jihaad Campbell
Campbell is stepping into an important role, replacing Nakobe Dean. There's a reason the Eagles drafted Campbell in the first round and let Dean leave in free agency. He has the talent to be a difference-making off-ball linebacker, with a rare combination of length and speed at the position. It's his second year in Vic Fangio's scheme. He missed time this offseason and had an up-and-down camp, but he's playing next to Zack Baun and behind one of the best lines in football. Look for Campbell to take a jump, similar to Moro Ojomo last season. Dontayvion Wicks is also in contention for this category.
Last year: Moro Ojomo
Player most likely to take a step back
Landon Dickerson
When he's healthy, Dickerson is among the NFL's best guards. It's helpful that he's not coming off surgery this season, but there's considerable wear and tear on his body. The Eagles were already managing his workload this summer. He's hailed for his toughness, and appropriately so, but Dickerson admitted he shouldn't keep playing through injuries.
Dickerson shot down offseason retirement rumors. He restructured his contract, and he's past the guaranteed money on his deal. If he can stay healthy, there might not be a step back. But what toll have the injuries taken on him?
Last year: Saquon Barkley
Starter not getting enough attention
Saquon Barkley
For one of the NFL's biggest stars and a focal point of the offense, the hype around Barkley has been too quiet this summer. He's not coming off an Offensive Player of the Year award and a 2,000-yard campaign like last season. So much attention goes to Hurts' adjustment to the new offense and the new receiver corps. It's easy to forget that this is likely going to be a run-first offense and their best chance to win big is having Barkley contend again for the NFL rushing crown.
It's certainly possible -- his enthusiasm for the new scheme and a healthier offensive line give him a chance to bounce back. Barkley is competitive and likely will want to push back on any idea that he's declining at age 29. His over/under for rushing yards is 1,099 yards. Take the over, as long as he stays healthy.
Last year: DeVonta Smith
Backup most likely to make an impact
Drew Kendall
This was a race between the top reserve offensive tackle and the top reserve interior offensive lineman, so I'll lean toward the interior because of the way Kendall played this summer and his ability to help in multiple spots. His development impressed the Eagles this offseason. Howie Roseman had questions about the interior offensive line depth in camp. Kendall (and Willie Lampkin) answered them. Markel Bell is a candidate here. So is Tank Bigsby, who would need to step into a large role if Barkley goes down.
Last year: Fred Johnson
The position GM Howie Roseman will upgrade
Tight end
Dallas Goedert is a key offensive player with a notable injury history, and the depth behind him remains a major question mark. Johnny Mundt is more of a blocker at this stage of his career. Eli Stowers, the second-round pick, had a slow camp and might be a better bet for a 2027 impact. The Eagles like E.J. Jenkins more than the public, and Grant Calcaterra is a candidate to be activated off IR. Do any of these options give you confidence if Goedert goes down? He played 15 games last season for the first time since 2021. Even if Goedert is healthy, a complementary tight end who can help in the passing game would be a sensible upgrade. I expect Roseman will scan his options.
Last year: Edge rusher
Storyline we're not talking about yet
Saquon Barkley's future
There's been much conversation about a future Hurts contract decision. What about Barkley, one of the franchise's most high-profile players? He's guaranteed $2.5 million of his option bonus next season -- down from the guaranteed $16.75 million this year, including his base salary -- and 2027 is his age-30 season. Barkley is an outlier and could remain one of the NFL's top rushers into his 30s. The Eagles would need to absorb a big cap hit if they moved on from him after this season, so the contract could remain the status quo.
He's in a similar situation to Christian McCaffrey; Barkley and McCaffrey are Nos. 4 and 5 in running back salaries, respectively, after other backs received new deals. The quarterback always receives more headlines, but I'm curious if the Eagles have a decision to make on Barkley, too.
Last year: What's Nakobe Dean's role?
Biggest concern
Wide receiver
The Eagles' reconfigured wide receiver depth chart was hard to ascertain this summer with DeVonta Smith and Makai Lemon missing three weeks of team drills. They need to avoid this looking like 2021, the season before A.J. Brown's arrival. Smith showed clear upside that year, except the help around him kept the passing offense from reaching the level it needed.
There's a chance this all works as designed, with Smith looking like the bona fide No. 1 receiver, Wicks taking a leap with more opportunity in a familiar offense and Lemon showcasing the type of dynamic run-after-catch ability that made him such a threat at USC. Hollywood Brown and Elijah Moore offer experienced depth while Darius Cooper continues the development curve on display this summer. That's the ideal scenario.
Replacing Brown's production in the aggregate makes sense on paper. It's still possible they miss Brown more than fans might realize -- and this looks like the season that compelled the Eagles to acquire Brown in the first place.
Last year: No. 2 cornerback