The Philadelphia Eagles escaped São Paulo, Brazil with a sloppy, yet satisfying win over the Green Bay Packers in Week 1.
While the Eagles surely won’t complain about a 34-29 victory against a top team in the NFC, there is still plenty to clean up following Philadelphia’s regular season opener.
Let’s examine which players impacted their stock the most for the Eagles in Week 1.
Which Eagles Impacted Their Stock in Week 1?
Stock Up | Zack Baun
Prior to Philadelphia’s Week 1 matchup with the Packers, I listed Zack Baun as the top wild card for the Eagles. While many were concerned about Baun’s transition from edge defender to inside linebacker, he was dominant in his debut on Friday night.
Baun joined elite company, as he recorded 15 total tackles and two sacks. Baun is just the sixth player to reach those marks in a single game since 2007.
According to TruMedia, the only other players to record 15 total tackles and two sacks in a single game were Bobby Wagner, Devin White, Roquan Smith, Vincent Ray, and Patrick Willis.
Despite questions about Baun being able to play inside linebacker, he has quickly established himself as the top player at the position in Philadelphia.
Stock Down | Jalen Hurts
Despite the Eagles escaping Week 1 with a victory, it largely wasn’t due to the play of Jalen Hurts. Although he finished the game with respectable numbers, Hurts struggled mightily.
He currently leads the NFL with three total turnovers, including two horrific interceptions. If the Eagles want to return to the Super Bowl, Hurts will need to clean up his turnover issues.
There were a few promising signs for Hurts in Week 1, as he performed noticeably better against the blitz under new offensive coordinator Kellen Moore.
According to TruMedia, Hurts completed six of eight passes for 91 yards and one touchdown against the blitz. Yet, his improvement in this area won’t be enough to mask his turnover issues moving forward.
Stock Up | Moro Ojomo
Following the retirement of Fletcher Cox, the Eagles needed someone to rush the passer along the defensive line. Second-year defensive linemen Moro Ojomo stepped up in limited snaps against the Packers.
Ojomo was Philadelphia’s second-most efficient pass rusher. According to Pro Football Focus, Ojomo recorded two total pressures on just 11 pass-rushing snaps. Only Baun was more efficient with his pass-rushing opportunities in Week 1.
If the one-time seventh-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft continues to play well, his role and snap total could increase moving forward.
Stock Down | Avonte Maddox
Avonte Maddox was set up to fail in Week 1. After primarily playing safety during training camp and preseason action, Maddox was forced to return to his old position against the Packers.
Once Isaiah Rodgers was ruled out, that no longer allowed the Eagles to use Quinyon Mitchell in the slot when Philadelphia utilized nickel formations. Therefore, Maddox was suddenly forced to play 60 total snaps in the slot.
While the field conditions certainly didn’t help anyone, Maddox struggled mightily to maintain his footing on several plays. Green Bay’s size and speed at wide receiver was a problem for Maddox in Week 1.
According to PFF, Maddox allowed a passer rating of 116.7 against the Packers.
Stock Up | Reed Blankenship
While Maddox struggled in Philadelphia’s secondary in Week 1, Reed Blankenship thrived. The former undrafted safety was dominant against the Packers, as he allowed a passer rating of just 30.6.
WE’VE SEEN THIS ONE BEFORE @reedus99_reed 😏 pic.twitter.com/yemZ8aCocm
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) September 7, 2024
According to PFF, Blankenship allowed two receptions on three targets for just five yards in 43 total coverage snaps. He also forced Green Bay’s only turnover of the game, as he jumped in front of a pass intended for Packers tight end Luke Musgrave for an interception.
Stock Down | Bryce Huff
Eagles general manager Howie Roseman made a bold decision this offseason. Roseman traded former All-Pro edge rusher Haason Reddick to the New York Jets. Philadelphia hoped Bryce Huff would help fill the void created by Reddick’s departure.
Huff failed to do so during his debut for the Eagles while only playing 30 total snaps against the Packers. Similar to Maddox, Huff struggled to consistently find his footing due to poor field conditions.
Yet his lack of production was still disappointing. According to PFF, Huff failed to generate a single pressure in 17 total pass-rushing snaps. The Eagles will need more from Huff out on the edge moving forward.