The Philadelphia Eagles’ defense delivered the biggest plays during Tuesday night’s open practice, but several offensive players also gave more than 45,000 fans reasons for encouragement. Riq Woolen produced two interceptions, including a pick-six, while DeVonta Smith, Makai Lemon and Saquon Barkley created explosive plays for the starting offense.
Here are the biggest winners and standout moments from Lincoln Financial Field.
Riq Woolen
No player improved his stock Tuesday more than Woolen.
His first interception came when he recognized a dig route intended for Lemon and broke in front of the rookie. Woolen’s second takeaway was even more impressive. He anticipated an out route to Smith, intercepted Hurts and returned the football for a touchdown during
the two-minute drill.
The performance provided a preview of how Woolen’s length and ball skills can affect Philadelphia’s defense. He was already the unquestioned starter opposite Mitchell. Tuesday showed he can become considerably more than a steady presence.
DeVonta Smith
Smith’s night included a drop and an underthrown deep target, but his best plays offered a reminder of what Philadelphia’s offense had been missing while he managed a hamstring injury.
Smith caught a contested deep crosser against Mitchell and quickly turned upfield. He later defeated Woolen on a dig route by adjusting the angle of his break and preventing the cornerback from undercutting the pass.
Smith looked healthy, quick and ready to resume his place as Hurts’ most trusted receiver.
Jalyx Hunt
Hunt dominated several repetitions after Fred Johnson replaced Lane Johnson at right tackle.
His pressure forced Hurts to leave the pocket on one play before the quarterback found Dontayvion Wicks for a completion. Hunt later pressured Hurts into throwing off his back foot on Woolen’s pick-six.
Hunt entered camp with an opportunity to become one of Philadelphia’s starting edge rushers. His summer has provided consistent evidence that he is ready.
Makai Lemon
Lemon produced one of the offense’s most creative touchdowns.
The first-round pick aligned in the backfield before releasing on a wheel route along the left sideline. No defender followed him, leaving Hurts with an easy touchdown throw.
After missing valuable practice time with a hamstring injury, Lemon is being incorporated into multiple formations. Philadelphia appears determined to manufacture opportunities for him rather than waiting for the rookie to win exclusively as a traditional outside receiver.
Saquon Barkley
Barkley made Baun miss in space and turned the play into a substantial gain during the opening move-the-ball period.
He later caught a touchdown on a wheel route despite tight coverage from Baun. Hurts placed the pass over Barkley’s outside shoulder, and Barkley completed the play near the front of the end zone.
Mannion has consistently explored ways to feature Barkley in the passing game. Tuesday showed why that should remain a significant part of the offense.
Nolan Smith
Smith produced a would-be sack of Hurts after beating Lane Johnson with an inside move.
Winning a pass-rush repetition against one of the NFL’s best right tackles carries weight, even during practice. Smith’s development has received less attention than some of Philadelphia’s other defensive storylines, but he continues showing the burst necessary to create pressure.
Drew Kendall
Kendall replaced the resting Dickerson at first-team left guard and received valuable work alongside Jordan Mailata and Cam Jurgens.
Kendall has quietly become one of Philadelphia’s most encouraging developmental linemen. His ability to play guard and center gives him a strong opportunity to earn an important reserve role.
Other standout plays
Mitchell recovered to break up Hurts’ underthrown deep pass to Smith. Campbell disrupted a target intended for Lemon, and Hollywood Brown caught a touchdown from Hurts during a later red-zone period.
Dalton also connected with Elijah Moore for a touchdown after an inaccurate start to his session.
The defense produced the defining plays, but the offense showed enough creativity and explosiveness to prevent the evening from becoming one-sided.
This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: Eagles open practice: Biggest winners and standout plays
