​The Philadelphia Eagles can learn only so much about their offense when they’re wearing helmets, shorts, and participating in non-contact drills. Once padded practices begin, the dynamic changes. Running backs can demonstrate contact balance, offensive linemen can prove they can move defenders, tight ends can separate themselves as blockers, and wide receivers can show whether they can win through physical coverage. As the Eagles offense adjusts under Sean Mannion and sorts through a revamped depth chart, padded sessions will reveal which players are ready for expanded roles and which roster battles remain unsettled. Here are five Eagles offensive players who stand to gain the most once padded practices start.
Bigsby’s running style is one that should translate more effectively once the pads are on. While the Eagles know Saquon Barkley is the lead back, they shouldn’t rely on Barkley to carry the offense every week. That makes the competition behind him crucial, and Bigsby enters camp with a real shot to emerge as the top complementary back in the backfield. Non-contact drills can show burst, conditioning, and route rhythm, but they don’t fully reveal a power back’s value. Padded practices will disclose whether Bigsby can finish runs, push the pile, protect the football, and handle the interior contact between the tackles. His true impact matters because the Eagles need a back who can spell Barkley without eroding the team’s physical identity. If Bigsby proves he can handle early-down work, short-yardage situations, and pass-protection duties, he could carve out a well-defined role before the preseason even begins.
Steen may have as much to gain as any offensive player on the roster. The Eagles have long depended on dominant offensive line play, and Steen has a chance to solidify his place in the starting lineup. Padded practices are where this evaluation becomes tangible. In spring work, linemen may show they understand their assignments, but camp reveals whether they can anchor against power, handle pass-off stunts, generate movement in the run game, and endure repeated physical reps. Steen’s opportunity hinges on trust. Philadelphia needs him to be consistent, especially with Jalen Hurts operating behind a line expected to remain one of the offense’s strongest units. If Steen wins his one-on-one battles, communicates well with Cam Jurgens and Landon Dickerson, and can keep the pocket clean, he could erase one of the remaining questions about the starting offensive line. For Steen, pads are not merely about proving he belongs; they’re about proving the Eagles do not need to keep searching for answers at guard.
Wilson stands out as one of the most intriguing wide receivers to monitor when practices become more physical. At 6-foot-6 and 228 pounds, he has rare size for the position, but size only pays off if it translates to contested catches, red-zone targets, blocking, and reliable releases. The real test will be how well he leverages that frame against press coverage, how efficiently he runs routes in contact, and whether he can contribute on special teams and in multiple receiver sets. Padded workouts will be essential for evaluating Wilson’s catch-point skills, his ability to win with physicality, and his overall upside in the Eagles’ passing attack. If he can show consistent progress in those areas, he could push his way into meaningful targets and secure a more prominent role as the season progresses.