With Eagles’ training camp set to kick off in two weeks, eyes are now focused on the position battles as players look to solidify their roster spot. Naturally, the wide receiver position will garner a lot of attention this year, with highly-touted newcomer DeVonta Smith headlining the group.

.@DeVontaSmith_6 takes home the ESPY for Best College Athlete, Men’s Sports 👏 pic.twitter.com/XFxuzlMT9K

— ESPN College Football (@ESPNCFB) July 11, 2021

One player with his job on the line is former 2019 second-round pick, JJ Arcega Whiteside. Per Adam Caplan on the latest InsideTheBirds podcast, Arcega-Whiteside has a “very small” chance at making the 53-man roster. Caplan also stated that JJAW’s days of being on the roster due to being selected in the second round are over.

Drafted to be a big-bodied threat in the red zone, Arcega-Whiteside has failed to resemble the contested-catch machine that he was at Stanford. When on the field — he played in just 13% of the snaps on offense last season — JJAW has shown flashes of a rotational receiver and willing downfield blocker. A stagnant system in recent years and lack of player development from the coaching staff hasn’t done JJAW any favors either.

Catching just 14 passes in two seasons since entering the league, there was some hope that Arcega-Whiteside would produce in Nick Sirianni’s new offense. However, with the Heisman Trophy winner in town and Reagor, Ward, Fulgham & Quez Watkins ahead of him, JJAW will likely have to beat out John Hightower in camp if he wants to continue his career in Philadelphia.

Hurts knows how to unlock JJAW. #MyQB1 pic.twitter.com/W0lN7cmKGb

— Victor Williams (@ThePhillyPod) February 6, 2021