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Who will be this year's standout rookie for Eagles?

Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports

Last season, the Eagles featured several first-year players in key roles. Fletcher Cox, Mychal Kendricks, Bryce Brown and Dennis Kelly started several games, while Cedric Thornton (practice squad player in 2011) and Brandon Boykin played heavy minutes. Cox showed that he could play at a high-level and seemed on the cusp of a Pro Bowl, even in as a rookie. He has clearly gained an impressive amount of trust from both the fanbase and the media as he heads into his second season.

This season, the Eagles face a similar situation, where several members of the draft class could be headed for massive playing time. Lane Johnson is likely the opening day starting right tackle, while players like Zach Ertz, Matt Barkley, Bennie Logan, Jordan Poyer, and Brad Wing could all be competing for starting roles as well. Ertz and Logan are virtually assured to be key cogs in two talented rotations at tight end and defensive line, respectively. While it is less likely that Barkley is an opening day starter, there is a possibility that he can play his way onto the field at some point. Poyer is expected to challenge for the starting nickel cornerback position, in a battle that should be fun to watch.

While there are plenty of intriguing choices, one these rookies will likely be the stand-out of the class. Although the team features several undrafted players, Damaris Johnson had some impress moments in last year in the same situation. Guys like Ifeanyi Momah and Russell Shepard could be interesting to watch during training camp and may make their way onto the final roster.

Here is a look at all of the current rookies on the Eagles roster:

Name Position School Draft
Matt Barkley Quarterback USC 4th Round
Zach Ertz Tight End Stanford 2nd Round
Lane Johnson Offensive Tackle Oklahoma 1st Round
David King Defensive End Oklahoma 7th Round
Jake Knott Inside Linebacker Iowa State Undrafted
Joe Kruger Defensive End Utah 7th Round
Bennie Logan Defensive Tackle LSU 3rd Round
Ifeanyi Momah Wide Receiver Boston College Undrafted
Will Murphy Wide Receiver Oregon Undrafted
Jordan Poyer Cornerback Oregon State 7th Round
Nic Purcell Offensive Tackle Golden West Undrafted
Kyle Quinn Offensive Guard/Center Arizona Undrafted
Isaac Remington Defensive Tackle Oregon Undrafted
Will Shaw Tight End Youngstown State Undrafted
Russell Shepard Wide Receiver LSU Undrafted
Damion Square Defensive Tackle Alabama Undrafted
Matt Tobin Offensive Tackle Iowa Undrafted
Matthew Tucker Running Back TCU Undrafted
Daryell Walker Defensive End Hampton Undrafted
Brad Wing Punter LSU Undrafted
Earl Wolff Safety NC State 5th Round

With all of the options, only one can be the Fletcher Cox of 2013, who will it be and why?

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