16 Eagles who must perform better during Week 2 of the NFL preseason

And, just like that, another preseason game is on the horizon. The Philadelphia Eagles tackle the New England Patriots in a game that probably won't be as entertaining as their joint practice was. Nick Sirianni was heckled upon arrival. Expect him to do something petty because we know he isn't above doing so.

We're teasing of course (sort of). The goal is the same as it is every preseason. Give the guys on the back half of the roster an opportunity to prove their mettle. Get in and out of this one without any major injuries.

The following guys have to produce better showings than they did a week ago.

Also read Eagles vs. Patriots preseason Week 2: Five storylines fans must monitor

Nolan Smith, EDGE

He's a former first-rounder. Philly didn't really need him to produce otherworldly numbers last season because Haason Reddick was in the fold, but people are worried about whether or not Nolan Smith is the guy we thought he was when Philly made him a first-round selection.

Last week's performance versus a bunch of Ravens backups didn't help in that regard. He notched a sack, but Philly lined him up in the slot to help him get home.

John Ross, wide receiver

John Ross still looks fast. He led the Eagles in receiving yards last week, but as strange as this may sound, his speed doesn't seem to translate in helping him get open.

He hasn't played football in a while. We understand that, but he needs a nice showing because, if Philly had to introduce a 53-man roster today, we fear the former ninth-overall selection wouldn't be on it.

Kenny Pickett & Tanner McKee, quarterbacks

Kenny Pickett wasn't overly impressive. Tanner McKee didn't look much better, but the theory is that happened because he was playing with less talent around him. Both need to show and prove with another week of work under their belt.

Philly seems intent on giving Pickett every opportunity to win the backup quarterback position, but McKee has proven he might be good enough to upstage him.

Matt Hennessy, offensive lineman

This coaching staff doesn't seem to like Matt Hennessy much. Maybe they don't see what they thought they'd see after adding him to the roster. All we know is a former NFL starter was playing during the fourth quarter of a preseason game (and getting run over while committing a penalty).

Not good Matt... Not good at all!

Cornerbacks Eli Ricks, Josh Jobe & Zech McPhearson

Josh Jobe is a decent special teams players. Zech McPhearson has played well, but there may not be any room on the roster for him if Philly keeps six cornerbacks. Eli Ricks can play both outside and in the slot. He's also a decent special teams player, but Philly had to keep seven corners to keep him on the roster last season.

Philly WILL say goodbye to some good secondary players. We can argue all of these guys on or off the roster, but Ricks will have a tougher time making the roster than he did last season.

He must make the most of every opportunity.

Jake Elliott, kicker

If you had no idea of who Jake Elliott or what his resume looked like before Week 1's game, you would be screaming at the top of your lungs that he be excommunicated after last week's showing.

What is good for a goose must be good for a gander. If we are to criticize every route and every throw, we must criticize missed extra points and botched field goals.

Jake made the most of a second chance, but he has to be better this week because if he isn't you know what the reaction will be.

Tyler Steen, offensive lineman

Tyler Steen, as we expected, is behind Mekhi Becton on the depth chart. The gap is widening, and the second-team O-lineman must add some sauce to his film.

His career doesn't hang in the balance or anything. He will make the 53-man roster, but if he wants a starting job, he has a lot of work to do.

Julian Okwara, EDGE

Remember this guy? No one seems to think Julian Okwara has a shot at making this team, and after Patrick Johnson's heroics last week, this young man has drifted further into anonymity.

He's running out of chances. He had better do something phenomenal.

Every tight end not named Dallas Goedert or Grant Calcaterra, especially Albert Okwuegbunam Jr.

The Eagles don't listen to us about roster decisions, and they shouldn't. We're going to offer some advice anyway. If no changes are made to the tight end room, they'd be better suited to introduce an initial depth chart with only two names on it at this position.

Dallas Goedert... Grant Calcaterra... That's it. None of the rest of these guys can play. We don't know why Albert Okwuegbunam Jr has been around as long as he has. C.J. Uzomah, E.J. Jenkins, Kevin Foelsch, and Armani Rogers don't move the needle for us.

If the Birds do carry three tight ends on the regular-season roster, it doesn't feel like the third guy is here yet.