The Eagles public relations staff released a depth chart on Monday afternoon, and ahead of Eric Rowe, a second-round pick last year, was Jalen Mills, a seventh-round pick this year:
Coming out of school, Mills was considered a mid-round talent. He fell all the way to the bottom of the draft due to character concerns (specifically, a domestic violence incident in 2014).
Mills is the reason that Jordan Matthews will miss most of the preseason, but as the Daily News’ Les Bowen writes, the Eagles like what the rookie brings to the table. Specifically, Mills is confident in his game:
There was no great scolding of the rookie from LSU when coaches went over the play with him. The Eagles do need Jordan Matthews, but their defense, which set a franchise record by allowing 36 touchdown passes last season, needs what Jalen Mills brings, and they don't want to mess with it too much.
Mills, 6-feet, 191, said coaches suggested he "maybe could be smarter" next time. They said they "love the speed, love the play that I made, but for sure, just be a little smarter. If I go one inch a little higher, maybe it's a different outcome."
Can Mills help out the Eagles on defense as a rookie? After a strong camp, he will certainly be a player to keep a close eye on in the preseason.
In case you missed it at PhillyVoice
1. Setting the table: Doug Pederson broke down how he plans to use the three quarterbacks Thursday night against the Bucs.
2. On the shelf: It sounds like Jordan Matthews is going to miss a lot of the preseason.
3. An old acquaintance: On September 11th, RG3 will be under center for Cleveland against the Eagles.
4. Marvin Harrison: At his Hall of Fame induction, the former Colts receiver took a shot at Eagles fans.
5. Training camp battles: Ron Brooks appears to have the inside track on the other outside cornerback spot, huh?
6. Practice notes: Pederson goes in-depth on why Carson Wentz has a tendency to overthrow receivers.
7. Career year: Angelo Cataldi believes that Sam Bradford is in for a big season.
8. LOL Cowboys
Other Eagles news, notes and analysis from around the web:
Seltzer's Notebook: Sixers Brass Visit Birds, Brown on Saric: Brian Seltzer, Sixers.com
Brett Brown was at Birds practice yesterday, rocking a sweet beard that Seltzer referred to as “Popovichian scruff”:
“You leave feeling a little bit more attached to community,” said Brown. “You’re always speaking to coaches and wondering what the differences are from last year to this year and how do drills, so you feel a little bit smarter after you left.”
What every NFL starting QB focused on this offseason: Phil Sheridan, ESPN
For Sam Bradford, it was studying the Eagles playbook:
The Eagles' QB added some weight and strength during his first healthy offseason in three years, but Bradford's main focus has been mental. With the hiring of Doug Pederson as coach, Bradford is learning his fifth offensive system in seven NFL seasons. By now, he's starting to see similarities in the different schemes. "It's really similar to what I was doing with Pat [Shurmur] in St. Louis as far as the West Coast concepts, which I really enjoy," Bradford said.
Hall of Fame Game Debacle and the Camp Tour Rolls On: Peter King, The MMQB
In his MMQB column, King had the vacation plans of the Eagles higher-ups:
Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie had the ultimate wildlife vacation. He went on a gorilla trek in Rwanda. Came a few yards from a gorilla family and just observed.
Eagle vacation runner-up: President Don Smolenski was in Iceland with his family the day Iceland’s soccer team beat England in the European championships. The Smolenskis were glued to the TV, as were all Icelanders not in France for the game.
WATCH: Brian Billick's 2001 meltdown about the Vet Stadium turf: David Murphy, Philadelphia Daily News
I didn’t know the canceled game at The Vet was part of “Hard Knocks.” The episode is pretty hilarious in retrospect, especially the furious Eagles fan yelling “Super Bowl Chumps!”
Follow Rich on Twitter: @rich_hofmann