5 Eagles to keep an eye on at the start of OTAs

The lull is finally over. The Philadelphia Eagles take the field starting on Tuesday with OTAs kicking off this week. 

The voluntary practices without pads will not be a tell all for players and what the 2026 version of the Eagles will look like, but it gives us the first chance to see the bulk of the roster on the field at the same time including the new free agency additions and draft picks. 

Here is the OTA schedule: May 26-27, May 29, June 1-2, June 4. 

Mandatory minicamp will take place from June 9-10. 

Here are five players to keep your eye on during OTAs. 

Jonathan Greenard, OLB

Whenever you're the team’s biggest offseason acquisition and then sign a hefty extension immediately after, all eyes will be on you. That will be the case for Greenard after being acquired on draft day in a trade with the Vikings and signed a $100 million extension with $50 million guaranteed. 

Greenard, who is expected to be the team’s top pass rusher this upcoming season, dealt with a left shoulder injury last season which he suffered initially in Week 10. He missed two games before re-aggrevating it forcing him to miss the remainder of the season.  

The 29-year-old was limited to just three sacks last season after posting 24.5 sacks in the prior two seasons with Houston and Minnesota. He also tallied 44 quarterback hits in those two seasons including being named a Pro Bowler in 2024. 

Dontayvion Wicks, WR 

Wicks figures to round out the top three wide receiving trio alongside DeVonta Smith and Makai Lemon (barring A.J. Brown unexpectedly not being traded). The Eagles believe they can tap into the potential the speedy wideout displayed in college that has yet to translate in the NFL. 

Spending some time with Sean Mannion in Green Bay, the new offensive coordinator could have concepts and ideas to get more out of Wicks who had 1,328 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns on 108 catches in three seasons with the Packers.

However, WR3 in years past has not been high on the pecking order in Philadelphia’s offense with Brown, Smith and Dallas Goedert being the top three options for Jalen Hurts.

Perhaps that changes with a new offensive philosophy and Wicks being in place to be a chain-moving type of wideout on slants and intermediate crossing routes. 

Johnny Wilson, WR 

Sticking with wide receivers, Wilson built up a lot of momentum prior to the start of last season seemingly earning a roster spot before suffering season-ending knee and ankle injuries that resulted in surgery. Wilson at 6-foot-6, 238 pounds could potentially be a red zone nightmare for opposing defenses if he is able to bounce back and prove that he can become a viable option in the passing game. 

A sixth-round pick in 2024, Wilson was mostly used as an underrated blocker, helping the offensive line pave the way for Saquon Barkley’s 2,000-yard season en route to a Super Bowl victory. 

Wilson played in 16 games his rookie season and hauled in just five catches for 38 yards and a touchdown in first year as a pro in 2024. 

Tank Bigsby, RB 

It was a sluggish start to his tenure as an Eagle last year, but once Bigsby got more comfortable and more touches, he became a fan favorite with fans clamoring to see more of him to spell Saquon Barkley near the end of last season. 

Bigsby had just 58 carries but he produced in those touches, yielding 5.9 yards per carry for 344 yards and two touchdowns. He will be the backup to Barkley with a full offseason and training camp with the Eagles. Expect the 24-year-old who owns a career 4.5 yards per attempt average to be more involved this season. 

Drew Mukuba, S

2026 will be a big season for the second-round pick a year ago out of Texas. After having some shaky performances as a rookie, he started to settle in. However, he fractured his ankle in November and missed the rest of the season. Reed Blankenship, who is now a Houston Texan and veteran Marcus Epps filled the void. 

As it stands, it will be the duo of Mukuba and Epps at safety with the likes of J.T. Gray, Andre’ Sam, this year’s seventh-round pick in Cole Wisniewski, Brandon Johnson and Maximus Pulley all vying for a roster spot to provide depth. Cooper DeJean will play safety in the base package.