​The Philadelphia Eagles arrive at training camp with a solid base of established offensive talent and clear high expectations, yet the bottom of the roster looms just as crucial as the headliners once practices commence. The offense is fronted by Jalen Hurts, Saquon Barkley, DeVonta Smith, Dallas Goedert, Jordan Mailata, and Lane Johnson, a group capable of sustaining strong play and creating matchup problems for defenses. At the same time, Sean Mannion steps into his first season as offensive coordinator, tasked with reshaping a receiver corps that has new pieces to evaluate and integrate. Behind the star players, several sleepers could push for roster spots, earn spots on the practice squad, or catalyze more meaningful depth-chart movement than expected as camp unfolds.
Here are the Eagles’ offensive sleepers to watch at each position entering training camp. One notable quarterback prospect to monitor is Coe Payton. The Eagles used a fifth-round pick on a developmental passer who combines production, toughness, and dual-threat upside. North Dakota State, a program that has produced notable signal-callers such as Carson Wentz and Trey Lance, adds another Bison quarterback to the Philadelphia pipeline with Payton. A 2025 Walter Payton Award finalist who finished third in voting, Payton led NDSU to a 12-1 record, including an 8-0 mark in the Missouri Valley Football Conference in his first year as the starter. He also set NDSU single-season records for passing efficiency after missing the final eight games of the 2024 season with a non-throwing shoulder injury. He rebounded in 2025 by throwing for 3,188 yards, accounting for 29 total touchdowns (16 passing, 13 rushing) and just four interceptions.
Payton’s path to a prominent role in Philadelphia will be challenging. Hurts is entrenched as the starter, Andy Dalton provides veteran insurance, and Tanner McKee has familiarity with the system. The most realistic route for Payton could begin on the practice squad, but his athletic profile and college production make him worth watching if he flashes during preseason action. Another sleeper to note is Mitchell at running back, a player whose track record in the NFL adds intrigue to a position group already crowded with talent. Mitchell, 28, enters his sixth NFL season after joining the Eagles following a post-draft rookie minicamp tryout. He was originally selected by the San Francisco 49ers in the sixth round of the 2021 NFL draft out of Louisiana, where he earned first-team All-Sun Belt honors in 2020. He spent four seasons with the 49ers, rushing for 1,523 yards on 327 carries (4.7 yards per attempt) and nine rushing touchdowns. His best campaign came as a rookie in 2021, when he amassed 963 rushing yards and five rushing touchdowns, adding 169 rushing yards and a postseason score. The Eagles obviously consider Barkley as the clear lead back, but Mitchell’s presence adds depth and potential competition behind the veteran back.
In summary, while the offense is anchored by proven playmakers and a veteran quarterback room, the camp competition for the lower end of the roster will shape depth, practice-squad opportunities, and even potential breakout performances. Payton’s development will be watched closely, especially during preseason showdowns, to gauge whether he can join the quarterback pipeline as a specialty developmental option. Meanwhile, Mitchell’s reliability and production history offer a valuable floor for the Eagles as they explore the full breadth of their backfield options. The combination of established stars and emerging depth players should keep training camp competitive and assignable to multiple scenarios as the season approaches.