Don’t sleep in the Eagles’ special equipment unit

Philadelphia Eagles training camp is just around the corner … maybe? Players are currently slated to perform at the NovaCare Complex on July 28. As we count the days together, Bleeding Green Nation will preview each position on the Eagles’ roster. We conclude today by taking a look at special equipment. Previously: Attack Player The | Running backwards The | The wide receiver The | Hard end The | Offensive line The | Defensive end The | Defensive tackle The | Linebacker The | Cornerback The | Safety.

RETURN

It has been a minute since the Eagles hired a dangerous man back. Darren Sproles posted some good numbers early in his career in Philadelphia, but has been hampered by injuries in the past three years. Now, for the first time since 2013, the Eagles will enter a season without Sproles as their main punt player.

Jalen Reagor looks set to be the Eagles’ new punt return man. The TCU product proved more than capable at the college level with 23 returns for 409 yards and two touchdowns. To put Reagor’s whopping 17.8 average in perspective, consider Diontae Johnson led the NFL last year with 12.4 yards per lap. Give Reagor some light and he will be gone.

The child may slip away. Reagor could be a legitimate weapon for the Eagles’ special equipment unit. It will be interesting to see how much responsibility the first-round rookie is given here, in addition to learning the offense.

Elsewhere on the list, 33-year-old DeSean Jackson isn’t going to return full-time, but he could repeat that role if the Eagles need a spark and Reagor is no longer lighting things up. Note that Jackson has only returned eight punts since 2014.

Quez Watkins, Marcus Green, and Grayland Arnold have a history of college punt returns, but none of them are 100% certain to be on the list.

Greg Ward conforms to Reno Mahe’s mold of a punt player who can be trusted to catch the ball at least correctly.

KICK RETURN

Boston Scott ended the 2019 season as the Eagles’ top kick returner after Miles Sanders left the role. Scott’s 22.9 average over 10 returns was nothing special. The Eagles could seek improvement there.

John Hightower could be the favorite to get the job. The Boise State product scored a touchdown and averaged 23.3 yards on 36 college returns.

The Reagor mentioned above has kick return experience in addition to the kick return experience. His 24.2 average beats the Hightower mark, but asking Reagor to return kicks, puns, and offensive play could be too heavy a burden.

Tremon Smith has a career average of 25.8. It’s hard to imagine the Eagles maintaining a designated type of kick return, so he’ll also have to excel as a cornerback.

Adrian Killins recorded 47 college kick returns for just an average of 21.8. The sprinter has no clearance return experience.

KICKER

Jake Elliott has shown a slight improvement every year and has obviously had great success in clutch situations. The 25-year-old is on contract through the 2024 season. Keep doing your thing, Jake.

PLAYER

Cameron Johnston will become a restricted free agent after the 2020 season. The Eagles will eventually seek to sign him for a long-term deal if he continues to play well. Johnston also serves as the Eagles’ starter for field goal and extra point attempts.

LONG SNAPPER

Rick Lovato was actually named to the Pro Bowl earlier this year. He has signed until 2023.

SPECIAL EQUIPMENT COVERAGE

The Eagles notably promoted Duke Riley to special teams captain after placing Kamu Grugier-Hill in the injured reserve late last season. It could retain that role in 2020.

Other key coverage contributors could include TJ Edwards, Craig James, Alex Singleton, Cre’Von LeBlanc, Joe Ostman, Corey Clement, K’Von Wallace, and Josh Perkins. Of course, not all of those players are necessarily locks to make the 53 man. Some places on the list will win / lose this summer based on the performance of special teams.

Reagor seems obligated to be the punt returner. Hightower might be the one to kick back, but that’s less certain than Reagor’s perspective. Either way, it’s good to see that the Eagles have made an effort to improve their returning units. It would be nice to see that special teams help the offense a little more than they have in recent years.

Elliott, Johnston and Lovato are running unopposed in their positions.