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Philadelphia Eagles: 3 Players to watch vs. Vikings in Week 5

By Carl Naimoli

PHILADELPHIA, PA - JANUARY 21: Jalen Mills #31 of the Philadelphia Eagles celebrates a first quarter touchdown by teammate Patrick Robinson (not pictured) against the Minnesota Vikings in the NFC Championship game at Lincoln Financial Field on January 21, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - JANUARY 21: Jalen Mills #31 of the Philadelphia Eagles celebrates a first quarter touchdown by teammate Patrick Robinson (not pictured) against the Minnesota Vikings in the NFC Championship game at Lincoln Financial Field on January 21, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /
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PHILADELPHIA, PA – NOVEMBER 05: Cornerback Jalen Mills #31 of the Philadelphia Eagles looks on from the sidelines against the Denver Broncos during the fourth quarter at Lincoln Financial Field on November 5, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Philadelphia Eagles won 51-23. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – NOVEMBER 05: Cornerback Jalen Mills #31 of the Philadelphia Eagles looks on from the sidelines against the Denver Broncos during the fourth quarter at Lincoln Financial Field on November 5, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Philadelphia Eagles won 51-23. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

2. Jalen Mills

One of the biggest scapegoats early in this Eagles season has been Cornerback Jalen Mills. Mills is in his third season since the Eagles selected him in the seventh round out of LSU in the 2016 draft. Through his first two seasons Mills was one of the best surprises on the Eagles roster.

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Much isn’t expected out of a teams seventh-round pick. But Mills was able to earn his spot in this lineup by making an impact on the field. Last season, he had three interceptions, including one that he returned for a touchdown.

This season everybody was expecting Mills to continue his good play as he would be penciled in as the team’s No. 2 cornerback, starting opposite Ronald Darby. The 24-year old was also a fan favorite as he dyed his hair green each week to show his Eagles pride.

This season, however, he has been far from a fan favorite. Through four games Mills has been beat over and over again by opposing receivers. One of the repercussions of getting beat is that it leads to more interference and holding penalties.

Mills already has three pass interference penalties, compared to only four all of last season, and he has 71 yards accumulated in penalties. He only had 91 all of last season. At that rate, he will be one of the most penalized players on the team.

This week he faces a stellar Vikings receiving corps that has a lot of talent. On any given play he will be lined up against Adam Thielen or Stefon Diggs, two of the most dangerous receivers in the NFC. Mills is already in the Philly fans doghouse, with many fans ready to see him on the bench. If he continues to struggle, expect to hear the Philly boo-birds early and often.

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