Eagles Stock Up, Stock Down After Preseason Finale Vs. Jets

Eagles stock up, stock down after preseason finale vs. Jets originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

The next game will count.

The Eagles on Friday night wrapped up their 2025 preseason with a 19-17 win over the Jets.

The roster must be trimmed from 90 players to 53 by the NFL’s deadline at 4 p.m. on Tuesday. It’s important to remember that these games are for the entire league to evaluate, not just the Eagles.

Here’s a stock watch from the game:

Stock up

RB Montrell Johnson: The UDFA from Florida finally had some space to run and showed some burst in this game. He got 15 carries for 57 yards and punched in a 15-yard touchdown run on 3rd-and-long in the third quarter. The Eagles might not keep four running backs on the roster but Johnson would definitely be worth a practice squad spot.

DT Byron Young: The former Raiders’ third-round pick had some standout moments against the Jets, including an impressive tackle in pursuit. He made a strong pitch for why he deserves to be on the roster.

CB Parry Nickerson: The 30-year-old nickel cornerback might not have much of a shot to make the Eagles’ roster but he had an impressive and acrobatic interception in the first quarter off Brady Cook.

K Jake Elliott: It was good to see Elliott drill fields goals from 51 and 53 yards in the first half. He had more than enough leg on both of those field goals. Elliott was just 1-for-7 from 50+ in the 2024 regular season and was 1-for-2 from 50+ in the playoffs. Elliott made all four of his field goal attempts on Friday night.

OLB Patrick Johnson: The veteran made a last roster push with another strong preseason game. He seems to do this every preseason. Johnson had a nice sack in the second quarter.

OLB Antwaun Powell-Ryland: The sixth-round pick from Virginia Tech had a very quiet training camp but got around the edge to get a strip-sack against the Jets in the third quarter. Nice moment for him.

S Lewis Cine: Cine is another player who has had a very disappointing training camp. But the former first-round pick made an impressive diving interception in the third quarter.

LB Jihaad Campbell: It seems pretty obvious that Campbell is going to go into the season as the Eagles’ starting linebacker next to Zack Baun, especially after he didn’t play on Friday night. Meanwhile, Jeremiah Trotter Jr. did. Trotter didn’t do anything to lose the job but the first-round pick simply won it with his play and athleticism.

CB Adoree’ Jackson: It’s possible that Jackson hasn’t really locked up the CB2 job and didn’t play Jackson on Friday night because they have seen enough of him. But it’s probably a good sign that Jackson got the night off while Jakorian Bennett and Mac McWilliams played. Kelee Ringo didn’t play either but he’s injured.

OL Matt Pryor: The Eagles gave Pryor the night off, which is a sign that he has the team made and will be one of their top backup offensive linemen going into this season.

Stock down

OT Kendall Lamm: While Matt Pryor got the night off, Lamm dressed out and started this game at left tackle — and he had some rough moments. If the Eagles have decided that Pryor is their top backup and potential swing tackle, it might make the 10-year veteran expendable.

QB Kyle McCord: While McCord had some solid throws, his first-quarter interception was an ugly play. On 1st-and-10, McCord uncorked a deep ball for Darius Cooper into double coverage and his overthrow was picked off. He threw one pick and could have had several more. His final stat line: 15/35 for 136 yards and an INT; passer rating of 42.1. While McCord has seemingly locked up the No. 3 job, he is still a work in progress. With Tanner McKee’s finger injury, it’s concerning to think about going into the season with McCord as the backup.

WR Ainias Smith: With a chance to solidify a roster spot, Smith had at least one drop and caught just 2 passes on 5 targets. He stayed in the game longer than both John Metchie III and Darius Cooper too. And he made a poor decision on one of his punt returns.

LB Jeremiah Trotter Jr: Trotter did nothing to lose the starting job but it belongs to Jihaad Campbell, who got the night off. Trotter started this game next to rookie Smael Mondon.

The Jets: They were penalized 10 times for 78 yards in the preseason finale.