Eagles Training Camp Notes: Competition at Slot Receiver?

By: Jesse Larch, Sports Talk Philly Staff

Nelson Agholor has been the surprise of the summer looking like the first round pick that we thought we were getting two years ago. Agholor has made play after play in his diminished role and has embraced having a smaller spotlight with Alshon Jeffery and Torrey Smith occupying the top spots on the depth chart.

Agholor's stellar summer got a reality check on Monday, dropping some a wide open pass and struggling to make contested catches. This is the first hiccup that Agholor has had this summer, and the smart money is on him to be much improved in 2017 despite him experiencing a setback today. 

There is speculation surrounding whether Agholor and his teammate Jordan Matthews are in a position battle for the starting slot receiver position. Matthews had a good day Monday, showing that his chemistry with Carson Wentz is still strong, but NFL Network's Daniel Jeremiah fueled the rumor that Agholor is going to be the Eagles' starter in the slot in 2017. 

Matthews has produced at a near-historic rate from the slot in his first three seasons, with three different quarterbacks no less, but Mathews is in a contract year and Nelson Agholor is under team control beyond this season. Today, offensive coordinator Frank Reich would not commit to either player at the slot. 

Reich informed the media the the plan is to have packages with different personnel, rather than the same personnel in all packages, and added that playing time in the slot will come down to how the players play instead of following a depth chart.

Alshon Jeffery returned to team drills today, participating in 7-on-7 drills. Jeffery's status is still uncertain heading into the Eagles' first preseason game on Thursday.  

While the receivers drew much attention today, the cornerbacks made their presence known. Patrick Robinson, the team's presumed number one corner, intercepted one Carson Wentz pass when he jumped an out route. Robinson would have had a pick six in a live game situation. Robinson also came close to intercepting two more Wentz passes later in practice. 

C.J. Smith continued to show that he belongs on the 53-man roster, making a great play to breakup a pass to Mack Hollins. This comes a day after defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz complimented Smith, saying that he has been "assignment sound" this summer. 

Smith almost had an interception today due to pressure provided by rookie first round pick Derek Barnett managed to pressure Matt McGloin. Barnett later got matched up with Lane Johnson, and Barnett struggled:

Derek Barnett in there with the first-team defense. Lane Johnson's absolutely dominating him. #Eagles

— Matt Lombardo (@MattLombardoPHL) August 7, 2017

Fans should not lose faith in Barnett, as Lane Johnson is arguably the best right tackle in the NFL and reps against a player of Johnson's caliber will help Barnett develop into the force that he was at Tennessee at the pro level. 

While Barnett had an up-and-down day on the line, Brandon Graham looked every bit like the all-pro that he was last season. Graham beat Jason Peters to "sack" Carson Wentz – or at least as much as you can sack a quarterback in training camp – and on the prior play he stuffed LeGarrette Blount on a goalline try.

Missing from practice today was defensive tackle Fletcher Cox, running back Wendell Smallwood, and wide receiver Marcus Johnson.

The Eagles will practice tomorrow, and then prepare for their Thursday night tilt in Green Bay against the Packers.