5 Eagles players with under 3 years NFL experience with biggest opportunity in Week 1

Ryan OLeary

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5 Eagles players with under 3 years NFL experience with biggest opportunity in Week 1 image

The Philadelphia Eagles will kick-off their regular season against the Green Bay Packers on Friday night minus a pair of presumptive veteran starters. That leaves a ton of opportunity for young stars on the roster to show what they can do on the big stage at Corinthians Arena in Brazil.

With linebacker Devin White back home working through an ankle injury, and cornerback Isaiah Rodgers ruled out with a hand injury Thursday, the Eagles will be looking for the guys behind them to step up against star quarterback Jordan Love and Green Bay’s balanced attack.

Here are five Eagles players, with less than three years of NFL experience, with the most to gain entering Week 1:

1. Cornerback Kelee Ringo (2nd season)

With Rodgers ruled out, Ringo steps into what could be close to a full-time role Friday working as a boundary corner. He pushed Rodgers in training camp, allowing a passer rating of just 41.4 over 31 coverage snaps during the preseason, per PFF.

2. Cornerback Quinyon Mitchell (1st season) 

The rookie was a locked-in starter for this game prior to Thursday’s final injury report, but the Rodgers injury should allow Mitchell to flash his versatility. He’s expected to play inside in nickel packages, but should also get plenty of reps opposite Darius Slay on the outside, depending on the situation. Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio hinted that Mitchell could play every defensive snap in this game, and that could easily be the case.

3. Linebacker Nakobe Dean (3rd season) 

Dean was arguably the Eagles best player in the preseason games, and reportedly won the starting job outright from White entering Week 1. Head coach Nick Sirianni talked up the third-year pro when speaking with the media in Brazil: “Nakobe has definitely shined throughout camp with his leadership, his play-making ability, his tackling, and I’m really excited for Nakobe’s opportunity (Friday night). He’s a really good player. He’s battled some injuries throughout, but we’ve sure as heck been excited about him from the moment he stepped foot in our building.”

4. Linebacker Ben VanSumeren (2nd season)

As an undrafted rookie, VanSumeren logged 50 snaps on defense and another 180 on special teams last season after getting signed late to the 53-man roster, on Nov. 30. He’s been a rising prospect for the Eagles ever since, making the team outright this summer. With Cooper DeJean still in catch-up mode, VanSumeren could be more involved vs. the Packers.

5. Wide receiver Jahan Dotson (3rd season)

The Eagles made a move for the former Penn State star at the end of training camp, acquiring Dotson from the Washington Commanders via trade. He’s expected to operate as the Eagles’ No. 3 receiver, and in offensive coordinator Kellen Moore’s words: “He’ll be a great piece to our offensive process. He’ll be heavily involved.”

The No. 16 overall pick in the 2022 NFL draft couldn't live up to lofty expectations in Washington. What better time than Friday night to make a good impression on his new team?

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Ryan OLeary

Ryan OLeary Photo

Ryan O'Leary has spent his entire professional career in sports multimedia, working as journalist, editor, podcaster, and in live events as a content manager and show emcee. His career highlights include working as a podcast host and audio editor for USA TODAY Sports Media Group, where he led a series of NFL podcasts for the company’s top-performing NFL sites. A born and raised New Englander, Ryan’s career kicked-off in newspapers after graduating from the University of New Hampshire with a degree in journalism. He developed an affinity for small-town youth, high school and college sports, while also realizing his childhood dream of covering the Patriots in multiple AFC Championship Games. Ryan enjoys kicking it with family and friends, beating his dad and brother in chess, and arguing with anyone crazy enough to insist that Tom Brady isn’t the GOAT.