5 underrated Eagles who could make the roster

PHILADELPHIA – The Eagles are past the midway point of training camp heading into their Sunday night practice at Lincoln Financial Field.

The preseason games will start Thursday, and cutdown day will arrive at the end of the month, followed by the start of the regular season. So this is the time for those angling for a coveted spot on the 53-man roster to start making their move.

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Here, then, are five under-the-radar players who have a legitimate chance of being on the roster for the season opener against Atlanta on Sept. 6.:

1. De'Vante Bausby

It's probably close to the point where Bausby is no longer considered a longshot to make the roster. After all, Bausby has been splitting first-team reps at nickel corner with Sidney Jones, who's a prized draft pick.

But it's likely that Jalen Mills will end up playing the slot, with Ronald Darby and Jones on the outside in those situations. Rasul Douglas also has a spot locked down. That leaves Bausby, out of Pittsburg State and a practice squad player last year, battling it out with Avonte Maddox, the Eagles' fourth-round pick who's being converted to the slot, D.J. Killings and Chandon Sullivan.

If the Eagles keep five cornerbacks, Bausby will have to beat out Maddox, which seems difficult. If the Eagles keep six, he should be OK. For now, though, Bausby has been impressive. He always seems to be around the ball, and he's not afraid to get physical as he showed in a brief pushing incident with wide receiver Anthony Mahoungou during Friday's practice.

2. Donnel Pumphrey

Pumphrey seemed like an afterthought when training camp began. Darren Sproles was back at full speed after tearing his ACL, and it seemed unlikely that the Eagles would keep two undersized running backs on the roster, especially if they keep four total.

Jay Ajayi, Corey Clement and Sproles are locks for three of the spots, leaving Pumphrey, Wendell Smallwood and Matt Jones and possibly undrafted free agent Josh Adams battling for the last spot.

But Pumphrey has shown great improvement from last summer. He's catching the ball well out of the backfield. Check for that Joe Callahan-to-Pumphrey combination late in the preseason games beginning Thursday. 

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Pumphrey still has a long way to go to be the heir apparent to Sproles, who has said that he is retiring after this season. But for now, Pumphrey is at least giving himself a chance.

3. Rashard Davis

A lot of things have to break Davis' way in order to make the roster at wide receiver. Eagles coach Doug Pederson has already said the wide receiver position is the deepest he has had in his three seasons.

"I think on paper, yeah, I do believe, we've got [talent]," Pederson said. "Some of our young guys are really stepping up and getting a lot of reps out here, and [I’m] encouraged by that."

Alshon Jeffery is still on the physically unable to perform list. If he's not ready for the start of the season, that will open up one spot, likely for Shelton Gibson and/or Markus Wheaton. 

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Beyond that, Davis will have to beat out veteran Kamar Aiken, Bryce Treggs and Greg Ward. So far, though, Davis has shown a good burst of speed. The fourth quarter of preseason games will be big for the receiver out of James Madison.

4. Aziz Shittu

The Eagles' defensive line is deep and experienced. But that's when everyone is healthy. At defensive tackle, the Eagles are not healthy and they're not deep. Tim Jernigan is still out after having offseason back surgery, and there's no telling when he'll be able to practice. Haloti Ngata is 34 years old and missed most of last season with a biceps injury.

So far, perennial Pro Bowler Fletcher Cox is the only sure thing at that position. Destiny Vaeao has been getting first-team reps so far in training camp, and is probably a lock for the 53-man roster. Ngata is likely to get a spot, too. 

But if Jernigan has to start the season on injured reserve, then Shittu and Elijah Qualls, the Eagles' sixth-round pick in 2017, could be battling it out for one of the last spots at defensive tackle.

Shittu was on the Eagles' practice squad in 2016 and on injured reserve last season, but he has stood out so far in camp.

5. Matt Pryor

When it comes to the Eagles' offensive line, most of the attention is on the five veteran starters, who are all back this season. But there has also been plenty of attention on Australian Jordan Mailata, who was picked in the seventh round, one round after Pryor.

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But Mailata, admittedly, is a project, and a likely candidate for the practice squad. Halapoulivaati Vaitai is Peters' backup at left tackle and Isaac Seumalo is Jason Kelce's backup at center. 

Pryor, the 6-7, 332-pounder out of Texas Christian who can play both guard and tackle, has had a strong camp. If Pryor can beat out veteran Chance Warmack, he should have a spot on the 53-man roster.

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Contact Martin Frank at mfrank@delawareonline.com. Follow on Twitter @Mfranknfl.