Eagles training camp has given rookies the chance to shine in unexpected ways while a veteran is getting a surprise crack at a starting job.
The Eagles have one goal in mind for the 2023 season: Winning the Super Bowl. Training camp is one of the first steps in that journey as Nick Sirriani and company dig into the details and get ready for the coming campaign.
Whatever expectations fans have for training camp every year, there's always bound to be a few unexpected standouts and developments.
Let's take a look at what surprises have already emerged from Eagles training camp.
No. 3 surprise from Eagles training camp: Joseph Ngata
The Eagles have a handful of wide receivers competing to make the roster, so going into training camp the likelihood of undrafted free agent Joseph Ngata making the cut was limited.
After a couple of weeks, it looks like Ngata might actually be a factor for the 53-man roster.
According to reports from practice, Ngata has been making plays at wide receiver with his big frame and catch radius.
The Clemson product is a highly intriguing prospect. He never had more than 600 yards in four seasons with the Tigers. That was heavily tied to health as injuries limited him greatly. Finally fit in 2022, he caught 41 passes for 526 yards and two touchdowns in a Clemson offense that didn't give playmakers very many chances to shine.
The Eagles took a chance on the 6-foot-3 receiver and he's already starting to show them it was worth it to bring him in.
Of course, the job isn't done. Ngata will need to consistently replicate his bright showing at camp to ensure a place on the roster.
No. 2 surprise from Eagles training camp: K'Von Wallace
The pressure is on K'Von Wallace entering the final year of his rookie contract with the Eagles. So far, he's handling it well.
Wallace, who has managed to start seven times in three seasons in Philadelphia, is taking first team safety reps in training camp. Nick Sirianni acknowledged that Wallace is "in the mix" for the open safety spot next to Reed Blankenship.
Getting a chance to grab a starting job is huge for Wallace. The Eagles picked him in the fourth round of the 2020 NFL Draft out of Clemson but he's struggled to carve out significant playing time.
First-team reps early don't mean Wallace has a job locked down though. Philadelphia picked up Illinois' Sydney Brown in the third round of this year's draft and he's already earned some first-team reps himself.
The safety battle will be ongoing throughout the preseason but Wallace told reporters, "I'm ready and I'm willing to scratch and claw for that starting spot."
No. 1 surprise from Eagles training camp: Nolan Smith
The Eagles drafted Nolan Smith in the first round of the NFL Draft. So hopes were already high for the Georgia star. Learning that he has already impressed teammates and coaches at camp is not a shock.
It's how Philadelphia's staff is deploying him that's more of the surprise.
Smith has apparently seen work in multiple spots in the Eagles front seven, from defensive end to inside linebacker.
Smith's natural NFL fit is at SAM linebacker, with the ability to pin his ears back and rush the passer. However, the Eagles are experimenting with him, trying to take as much advantage of his athleticism as possible.
The Cowboys have gotten a ton out of Micah Parsons by being flexible with his positioning and unleashing him in different spots. Philadelphia could be taking a similar approach with Smith.
An injury to Nakobe Dean opened the door for Smith to get a look inside. Why not? It's training camp. Now is the time to see what roles particular players can and can't cover.
