11 Eagles with most to prove vs Ravens in preseason game. Start at WR

PHILADELPHIA − Eagles coach Nick Sirianni has his reasons, whether it's so-called competitive advantage or something else, for not divulging if his starters are playing in the preseason opener against the Ravens in Baltimore on Aug. 15. \n But if past seasons are an indication, the clear answer is you won't see quarterback Jalen Hurts, running back Saquon Barkley, right tackle Lane Johnson or the other starting offensive linemen. And you certainly won't see wide receivers DeVonta Smith and rookie Makai Lemon, who have missed the last six practices with hamstring injuries. \n Sirianni wouldn't even divulge which of the two QBs vying to be Hurts' backup − veteran Andy Dalton or Tanner McKee − will start the game. \n Buy Philadelphia Eagles tickets \n "We're still thinking through that," Sirianni said on Aug. 13. \n What is he looking for from the QBs who do play? \n "It's not just a quarterback thing," he said. "This is something you're looking for from each and every position. You want the operation to be really smooth ... You want everyone to be really clean on their assignments, and you're looking for good fundamental football." \n It's expected that some of the starters on defense will play, but probably not cornerbacks Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean, who sat out the Aug. 13 practice with a glute muscle and groin injury, respectively. And there's a good chance stars like Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis and Zack Baun won't play either. \n "We'll see how that goes, but you guys have been around here," defensive coordinator Vic Fangio said, referring to the fact that he has the leeway to play some of the starters if he so desires. \n For the players fighting for starting jobs and/or roster spots, the preseason games are invaluable. Here are 11 who have the most to prove in the game against the Ravens: \n Hollywood Brown, wide receiver \n Brown has not had a good training camp. Both Darius Cooper and Elijah Mitchell have outperformed him, as has Dontayvion Wicks. Brown was a 2019 first-round pick of the Ravens and spent last season with the Chiefs as a speed receiver. So far, that hasn't been apparent. This would be a good chance for Brown to show that he deserves a roster spot. \n Tanner McKee, quarterback \n It's possible that the Eagles will sit both Hurts and Dalton as Dalton is 38 years old and in his 16th NFL season. He has nothing to prove. McKee is a different story. He was the backup last season, and so far through 11 training camp practices, Dalton has outplayed him. The Eagles might also want McKee to play in order to trade him later in August as injuries to other QBs around the league crop up. Either way, McKee needs the experience. He should get plenty against the Ravens, whether he starts or comes off the bench. \n Willie Lampkin, offensive line \n Lampkin has gotten reps at both center and guard with the second unit. At 5-11, 290 pounds, Lampkin has a low center of gravity. Lampkin, claimed on waivers from the Rams last September, spent all of last season on injured reserve. He has impressed throughout camp as Sirianni recently said: "We find ourselves as coaches when we're watching tape just kind of being like, 'Man, Willie did it again.'" \n Markel Bell, offensive line \n Bell, the Eagles' third-round pick, has been battling with veteran Fred Johnson for the swing tackle role behind left tackle Jordan Mailata and right tackle Lane Johnson. The 6-foot-9, 346-pounder has more than held his own while Johnson was involved in a fight with Moro Ojomo in practice. This will be Bell's first game experience. Can he make the most of it? \n Mac McWilliams, cornerback \n McWilliams, the Eagles' fifth-round pick in 2025, has been one of the pleasant surprises in camp so far. McWilliams intercepted Hurts in a 7-on-7 drill on Aug. 13. He spent much of that practice with the first unit with Mitchell sitting out with a glute injury. McWilliams seems to be in a roster battle with veteran Jonathan Jones. \n Eli Stowers, tight end \n We haven't seen much from the Eagles' second-round pick who is considered the heir apparent to Dallas Goedert. But the coaches have raved about Stowers' behind-the-scenes work, so the preseason games are a chance to show his potential. Stowers should get plenty of chances. \n Michael Carter, defensive back \n Carter has been impressive as he battles with Marcus Epps for the starting safety job next to Drew Mukuba. Carter is the dark horse in this race because he has been a nickel corner for his five previous NFL seasons. But Fangio said Carter has adapted well, and he's also a viable candidate to back up DeJean at nickel and also serve as the sixth DB in dime packages. He should get chances at all three spots against the Ravens. \n Chance Campbell, linebacker \n Campbell was having a strong camp until a groin injury kept him out for most of the past week. But Campbell returned full time to practice on Aug. 13, an indication that he could play in the game. Campbell could be competing with Smael Mondon for the No. 4 LB spot, and as Fangio said recently, "Don't sleep on Chance." \n Darius Cooper, wide receiver \n Cooper has been the best wide receiver in camp with DeVonta Smith out with his hamstring injury. Cooper made the team as an undrafted free agent out of Tarleton State. He served as the blocking wide receiver last season. But a bigger role − possibly bigger than Lemon's, the Eagles' first-round pick − could be in store this season. This would be a good time to show that. \n Drew Kendall, offensive line \n Like Lampkin, Kendall has also gotten opportunities with the second unit at both guard and center. Kendall is already considered the backup to center Cam Jurgens. But the Eagles' fifth-round pick in 2025 is also putting himself in position to back up both left guard Landon Dickerson and right guard Tyler Steen. \n Ty Robinson, defensive tackle \n Robinson got off to a poor start at camp, but has come on this past week with the pads on. That was seen with a bull rush in 1-on-1 drills. Still, Robinson has a ways to go as Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis, Moro Ojomo and Byron Young are all ahead of him. Again, the preseason games should be Robinson's proving ground. \n Contact Martin Frank at mfrank@delawareonline.com. Follow on X @Mfranknfl. Sign up for the "Eye On The Eagles" newsletter, emailed to your inbox every Friday morning. Read his coverage of the Eagles’ championship season in “Flying High,” a hardcover coffee-table book from Delaware Online/The News Journal. Details at Fly.ChampsBook.com \n This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: 11 Eagles with most to prove vs Ravens in preseason game. Start at WR