Suddenly-intriguing Eagles roster battles ahead of second preseason game

Here’s what we know about the Eagles at the cornerback position. Darius Slay, James Bradberry, and Avonte Maddox are locks to make the roster. Zech McPhearson looks like the fourth guy (he had a good game). Past that, who knows?

Josiah Scott has seen snaps at both the cornerback and safety positions, and on the Sunday following the first preseason game, he saw some first-team snaps. He’s someone to watch. Josh Jobe earned an opportunity to run with the second-team defense. He was decent, but he’s a rookie. He still has much to learn.

Both Gowan and Jobe have Josh Blackwell, Mario Goodrich, Mac McCain III, Josiah Scott, and Kary Vincent breathing down their necks. We’re a long way from closing the book on this discussion. The competition for jobs on the back half of the secondary’s roster is as intense as it’s ever been.

It’s hard to come up with answers on how the bottom half of this Eagles’ secondary will look.

You were warned. You were told that undrafted rookie Reed Blankenship is super-talented, and he’s on a mission. During his preseason debut, there was nothing to complain about in terms of his performance.

Reed tallied seven tackles and played every down as if his life depended on it. The Eagles may keep four safeties. They may keep five. Jaquiski Tartt is missing valuable time, but Blankenship figures to have to beat out Andre Chachere and/or K’Von Wallace if he wants to earn a job. Jared Mayden is gone now, but Anthony Harris and Marcus Epps won’t be going anywhere.

Something else of note: Mayden, Moreland, and wide receiver Lance Lenoir all cleared waivers on Wednesday, so they’ll revert to Philadelphia’s injured reserve. They’ll likely receiver injury settlements now.