The Eagles rookie teammates say is primed for a big year: ‘He has a lot in his toolbox’

Every year, toward the tail end of training camp, we survey as many players on the Eagles as we can with a simple question: If you had to pick one teammate who you think is primed for a big season, who would it be?
This is an exercise that dates back about a decade to when Sheil Kapadia first came up with it. As far as I can tell, this year’s winner received the highest percentage of the vote in the history of the survey at 30 percent of the 32 players who answered.
Let the hype train begin.
Dennis Kelly
It’s tough because I think everyone’s really, really talented here. I would say (Josh) Sweat has been very, very impressive in camp so far. I’m excited to see how he does in the regular season.
Zech McPhearson
I’d say my boy K’Von Wallace. He’s been workin’ crazy. Workin’ crazy, his growth. He’s older than me, but from what I’ve seen my rookie year to now, he’s a whole different dude. He’s been working hard each and every day. He’s a vocal guy, a positive guy, a good guy to just have around the room. He’s kind of been in the same kind of position as me, behind some solidified starters the past couple years. He’s gonna make the most of his opportunity. He’s aggressive, he’s a leader out there, so I’m excited to see what he has in his future.
Jordan Davis
Joseph Ngata. Dude’s been quietly consistent. That’s kind of like a diamond in the rough, for him being undrafted. He’s been ballin’ out. I don’t get to see him often, but he just balls out whenever I do.
Avonte Maddox
Am I allowed to choose myself? Myself. I’ve been working hard. I missed a lot of time last year and I’m excited for this year. I’m ready for this year to start up.
Justin Evans
Big-play (Darius) Slay. That’s my dog. First one that came to mind.
Landon Dickerson
I mean, that’s tough because you guys obviously are gonna look for guys with stats and all. There’s a lot of guys I’m excited about. Cam Jurgens, I think he’s gonna have a great year. Jordan Davis, Jalen Carter, Nakobe (Dean), Sydney Brown. There’s a lot of guys, a lot of young guys I think are gonna have a big impact on this team. You see it in practice, the way these guys are coming in, working every day, getting better, and contributing to the team and trying to make everybody better. There’s a lot of guys I’m excited to see and seeing it in practice, seeing it in the preseason, it’s a good thing to have a lot of guys to be excited about.
Boston Scott
Jordan Davis. I just think that he’s kind of settled into the scheme and you’ve obviously seen, genetically, he’s a blessed guy. But also just incredibly hardworking, great personality. He’s committed to being the best player he can be, and all those intangibles combined with his talent and his size.
Reed Blankenship
Nakobe Dean. I just think he’s up for it. I feel like he’s one of those dudes that, people talk about him a lot, but he’s one of those guys that comes to work every day. He’s very confident in what he does. He showed a lot of talent last year, even in his college days. I love him to death. I love him like a brother and I know he’s gonna get stuff done.
Ranking the Eagles' summer performances, from Reed Blankenship to Ian Book
DeVonta Smith
I would say Reed (Blankenship). He’s a guy that’s picking up things very fast. From last year, you seen the flash of the plays that he’s making, and now, second year, being around the team, around Slay and them, the vets have helped him a lot. And the way that he carries himself and the way he goes out there and retains information, I feel like he’s gonna have a good year.
Christian Elliss
I don’t know, there’s a lot of guys. There’s a lot of people. I’d say Reed. Reed’s been making steady progress ever since he came in last year. Starting to get to know him more and more, and so I’d say Reed.
Olamide Zaccheaus
It’s hard to just pick one. I think we’re all gonna have the best season of our careers. It’s hard to pick one person.
Greg Ward
If I had to pick one guy? I would like to say everybody. The whole team. I think everybody’s been working extremely hard. Of course Jalen (Hurts). I truly believe Jalen’s gonna repeat. He’s gonna (have) another great season. And everybody else, man. Everybody else has been putting in a lot of work. I credit everybody.
Jalen Carter
I can’t just pick one guy. The way everybody playing, everybody gonna have a good season.
From Bryce Young to Felix Anudike-Uzomah, what can we expect from the 2023 first-rounders?
Nakobe Dean
That’s tough. I’m gonna ask for the next question. That’s tough. I’d have to think about that too long.
Tyler Steen
I don’t know if I could pick one. I feel like the whole offense is coming together pretty well. O-line, quarterback, receivers, running back. Everybody looks really good, everybody looks (like) we’re jelling together really well. I couldn’t pick just one. I feel like the whole offense, for real.
Sydney Brown
I don’t even wanna speak on that. I think there’s a lot of guys playing really good football that all have potential to have breakout years. Even just looking at the safety room, we keep saying it, but there’s a bunch of guys in that room who have been playing good football. I wish everybody the best and I hope, at the end of the day, they’re gonna take advantage.
Haason Reddick
Man, because I came on last year and this is a guy that I got to watch a little bit when I was at Temple, I’m gonna go with (D’Andre) Swift, man. Electrifying. Just electrifying. Made some crazy plays last week. Like I said, I’ve been watching him for a while. Even last year in the first game. When I found out he was coming here, I was happy for him. I know what it’s like to be at home, I know what that brings, and he’s already showing that he’s ready to go. He’s gonna be a big help for us.
Eli Ricks
That’s a great question. I would say Swift or Sydney Brown. I feel like we’ve only seen like a sliver of what Swift is, especially in this offense. (Nick) Sirianni’s an offensive-minded coach. So I say him. And then Sydney, I feel like, with him, he doesn’t even know the player he could be. So I definitely think it’s them two on offense and defense.
Cam Jurgens
On our team? Jalen Hurts. ‘Cause he’s a workhorse. That man puts in a lot of work and you don’t ever see him stop, so when you see somebody work that much, they’re not gonna get worse.
Mekhi Garner
Big year? I’ll go QB1, Jalen Hurts. I just believe in him. I believe that he’s just been really locked in on his fundamentals, taking things serious, connecting with guys, connecting with guys he really hasn’t talked to. You know what I’m saying? Newcomers, rookies, stuff like that. With A.J. and Smitty, yeah, I’m going with QB1. I’m praying that he has a breakout year and just keeps going.
Jason Kelce
Man. And we’re not picking like the obvious things? Jalen Hurts. If I’m going obvious, I’m going Jalen Hurts. I don’t know. We’ll see. I’ll stick with that one. That’s the most important one.
Lane Johnson
As far as the O-line room, I think Jack Driscoll’s made a lot of improvements. Fred Johnson’s really had a strong camp. And then on defense, I think Jalen Carter’s gonna make a lot of noise this year. I really do. I think he can play right now and play at a very high level right now.
Brandon Graham
I’d say Jalen (Carter). Because you’ve seen it already on display. I’ve seen it in practice, he’s gonna have a big one. I think he solidified himself right now, just gotta keep working. Can’t get a head too big.
Dallas Goedert
Is this like a pick that’s not expected? I’ll pick a defensive player. I think Jalen Carter. He’s been getting a lot of hype. I had to try to block him twice today and it wasn’t easy. I don’t know if you could consider it blocking. But he’s a special player, he’s a special talent. I’m really excited to see what he can do this year. It’s gonna be really fun to watch because he’s passionate about it and he’s really good at what he does.
D’Andre Swift
One teammate? That’s tough. All the guys been working, all the young guys been working. If I had to pick one guy? Probably Jalen Carter. Just the way he flashes every single day, the stuff he does. Real strong at the point of attack. Excited to see what he does. Him, Nolan, all the young guys. For real, for real.
Rashaad Penny
I’m a big fan of my running back room. I’m pretty sure the running back room. But if I just had to say anybody, I mean, Jalen Carter (laughs). I’ve never seen anything like that since playing against Aaron Donald. He’s got the intangibles for sure.
Eagles 53-man roster projections following preseason finale
Jordan Mailata
Jalen Carter. Just seeing what we’ve seen in practice. … Just his moves, man. His hustle. His speed. And he’s smart. Really smart actually. I’d say JC.
A.J. Brown
I don’t wanna put no pressure on nobody. Other than myself, you know? I don’t know. … I think the rookie, Jalen Carter (has had a good summer). He has a lot of potential. I’m excited to see him flourish in our defense and help us out.
Terrell Edmunds
One guy on the team who’s gonna have a big season? New guy or just in general? Hmm. Ima say a new guy. Ima say Jalen Carter. Just ’cause he’s a beast. You can tell by his work ethic, how he attacks each day. You can just tell he’s gonna be a good player.
Sua Opeta
Jalen Carter. Because he’s had a great camp, but also I’ve gone against him, so I know how good he is. I guess his ability to change direction in his pass rushes. He’ll go from like a quick move to a bull (rush), switch it up to a club. He’s a very savvy pass rusher. He has a lot in his toolbox.
Jack Driscoll
Man, there’s so many to choose from. I’d say Jalen (Carter). You could say any guy on the O-line. Both Jalens. I think a lot of guys have been doing really well in camp and showing they’re ready for the season. (Carter) is a great player. He’s got a lot of really good moves. He’s still learning, he’s learning from the best guys in the league.
Kelee Ringo
Jalen Carter. Because, man, he’s just a unit. I feel like, a hundred percent. Man, I feel like when he wants to be the most dominant player on the field, he can be. And it stands out every single time. And I feel like he’s able to display that.