Trust Report: Eagles players heading into Week 2 against the Atlanta Falcons

NFL Week 1 is in the books and the Philadelphia Eagles look to advance to 2-0 on the season with a win on Monday Night Football against the Atlanta Falcons at Lincoln Financial Field.

With that, comes a certain level of trust in the players that Nick Sirianni and company put out on the field every week. While it’s only Week 2 and the Eagles did beat the Packers in Brazil last Friday, there’s reasons to have confidence in some players already while others have a long ways to go in earning my trust as we get deeper into the NFL season.

Trust Note: I’m not including Saquon Barkley. He’s obviously at the top of the trust tree. This is for everyone else on the Eagles roster heading into Week 2 against the Atlanta Falcons on Monday Night Football.

Saquon Barkley was dominant in Eagles debut—Can he do it again on Monday Night?

No Trust: Avonte Maddox in the Slot

Avonte Maddox had an unexpected Week 1 sliding into the slot cornerback role thanks to Isaiah Rodgers’ broken hand – after spending most (if not all) of training camp at the safety position.

Maddox unprepared to play that many snaps in the slot showed. Green Bay quarterback Jordan Love exploited his matchups as much as he could and Maddox himself committed a costly 13-yard pass interference penalty near the goal line, setting up a touchdown a play later after he slipped in coverage.

Among the 48 defensive backs who were targeted at least five times in Week 1, Maddox’s 104.2 defensive passer rating ranked 36th—not where he or the Eagles wanted it to be.

No Trust: Bryce Huff

The Eagles made a bold move in the offseason, swapping Haason Reddick with the New York Jets for Bryce Huff – giving him a big payday after his breakout 10-sack season with the Jets. The hope was that Huff would bring some serious heat off the edge, but his debut in Week 1 left a lot to be desired.

In a surprising twist, veteran Brandon Graham saw more snaps than Huff, and the Eagles’ new pass rusher finished with just a single tackle on the night. After such a strong season in New York, Huff was expected to make an immediate impact, but instead, he whiffed in his first game in midnight green.

No Trust: Jahan Dotson

The Eagles made a splash by acquiring Jahan Dotson from the Commanders just before the season began, but his Week 1 debut was a bit of a dud. With just one target and no catches, Dotson’s first game in Philadelphia didn’t quite live up to expectations.

With A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith commanding the lion’s share of targets, Dotson will need to carve out his niche and prove he can be a reliable option in the passing game. The Eagles are hopeful that with more reps and opportunities, Dotson can add a new dimension to their offense and start making an impact.

For now, it’s about patience and giving Dotson time to adjust and find his rhythm.

Trust: AJ Brown and DeVonta Smith

The Eagles’ offense hit the ground running in Week 1, and a big part of that success came from the balance they struck between their star wideouts and the rest of the team. A.J. Brown was a focal point, with ten targets leading to five catches for 119 yards, while DeVonta Smith was just as reliable, hauling in seven of his eight targets for 84 yards.

This dynamic duo kept the Eagles’ passing attack in rhythm, with both receivers finding soft spots in the defense. Brown’s ability to stretch the field and Smith’s precise route-running helped keep the offense in sync all game long. The balance between the two top playmakers and the rest of the offense allowed the Eagles to control the tempo and move the ball effectively.

Trust: Quinyon Mitchell

After a grueling training camp where he faced off against the likes of DeVonta Smith and A.J. Brown, rookie cornerback Quinyon Mitchell didn’t shy away from the spotlight in his NFL debut.

The Packers wasted no time testing the young corner, with Jordan Love launching a deep pass to Christian Watson down the sideline early in the game. But Mitchell, showing poise beyond his years, stuck to Watson step-for-step, turned his head around just in time, and forced an incompletion to bring up fourth down.

Despite it being his first taste of real NFL action, Mitchell looked every bit like a seasoned pro. His composure in a high-pressure moment against a talented receiver like Watson was impressive and set the tone for what could be a promising rookie season.

Mitchell’s work against elite receivers during training camp seems to have paid off, and if his debut is any indication, the Eagles may have found a future star in their secondary.

Trust: Cam Jurgens and Mekhi Becton

One game into the season, and the Eagles’ biggest change on the O-Line, shifting Mekhi Becton from tackle to guard and Cam Jurgens from guard to center seemed to hold up well.

Cam Jurgens: Returning to the center position he played in college, Jurgens faced a significant test in his first NFL start at the position. Despite limited experience at center over his first two seasons, he graded out respectably with a 68.7 according to Pro Football Focus, landing 11th among all starting centers. While he’s not Jason Kelce, Jurgens managed to hold his own, even if there were a few hiccups. A poorly timed snap led to a Packers recovery and a field goal, and a botched snap during a crucial 4th-quarter tush push forced the Eagles to settle for another field goal.

Mekhi Becton: On the other side, Becton’s transition from tackle to guard—something he hadn’t even practiced before this spring—appears to be paying off. Despite starting the camp as a backup, Becton turned in a solid performance against a formidable front. His PFF grades reflect this: he ranked 11th out of 65 tackles with an 80.0 pass-blocking grade and 20th overall with a respectable 73.8 grade.

Interior Line Performance: The Eagles’ interior line—featuring Jurgens, Landon Dickerson, and Becton—successfully neutralized Kenny Clark, a three-time Pro Bowler. Clark was limited to just one solo tackle and had no sacks, hurries, or quarterback hits. The unit collectively earned PFF’s 2nd-highest pass-blocking grade and 4th-highest run-blocking grade of the week.

All Things Philadelphia Eagles Week 2 >>

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