How much, the Eagles coaching staff finds out next week, has two weeks away from Philadelphia changed the team's rookie class? In for the post-draft mini-camp in the first days of May, the players return to the NovaCare Complex for a rookies-only camp that features as much mental exertion as physical.

Force fed a river full of information during the post-draft camp, the rookies come back to prove to the coaching staff how much they have retained, and how much more they can absorb. Much of the time spent with the coaches comes in the classroom, but the players will get on the field and run through drills. It won't be at the tempo of training camp, or even of the post-draft camp, but the time spent with the coaching staff will be incredibly important for the kids, who stand to benefit greatly from the maximum exposure to their position coaches and coordinators.

At the same time, the Eagles gain more of an understanding of what to expect from the rookie class. The truth is, players are graded with caution until the pads go on and the action is live, but every morsel of information helps.

With that in mind, we can take the liberty of making some projections, right? How does the draft class factor into the picture as the Eagles creep closer to September? Let's take a look ...

TREVOR LAWS, DT

Certainly, the opportunity to play is there for Laws, the Notre Dame product. The Eagles want as deep and as talented a group of defensive tackles as they can possibly have, and Laws adds to the picture at the position. Laws was impressive in the post-draft camp, demonstrating good quickness off the line of scrimmage, a strong understanding of what line coach Pete Jenkins needs from his players.

Laws has to continue to learn the schemes and advance his recognition of what NFL offenses need to do. Simply put, Laws has to learn how to play at this level. It isn't just about blowing past blockers with superior quickness and strength. That comes with time and with experience. Laws is off to a good start, but he has to work on all phases of his game -- conditioning, strength, technique -- and prepare to make an impact as a rookie.

DeSEAN JACKSON, WR/KR

Jackson is another draft pick who has a chance to step on the field early. He had a fine post-draft camp from both a mental and physical grading perspective. Jackson didn't drop a pass in the camp. He got to the right spots at the right time in the offense. He caught the ball well on returns.

The Eagles are teaching Jackson the offense in phases. He has to learn one receiving position, then another, and then another. Eventually, Jackson will know the offense well. Right now, it is like a foreign language for him. There is no denying that Jackson has great physical skills. How much he learns and then makes adjustments will likely determine how quickly he gets on the field as a receiver.

As a return man, Jackson is going to catch hundreds and maybe thousands of punts between now and training camp.

BRYAN SMITH, DE

There is absolutely no need to rush Smith into anything. He needs to be pushed, no question, because the Eagles want to get him on the field and get him into the defense, but with Trent Cole, Juqua Parker, Chris Clemons, Victor Abiamiri and Darren Howard around, Smith isn't needed to step right in and make a difference.

He isn't ready, anyway. Smith has enormous physical gifts and could be a great fit in the defense if he learns and applies himself with what Jenkins needs. The Eagles love the kid's athleticism and his desire. He had a good camp after the draft. But how far is Smith away from playing? There is no way to tell at this point.

MIKE McGLYNN, OL

McGlynn is a tough and versatile lineman, and the learning curve continues for him in this camp. It's easy to see that McGlynn fits in as a reserve lineman either at guard or at center -- maybe at tackle in a pinch -- so his next order of business is to get himself ready to play anywhere on the line if he is called upon.

Line coach Juan Castillo is going to dig in for this camp. He has a way of introducing his new players to an intense pursuit of perfection. McGlynn has to learn his ways and understand that Castillo is one of the best in the business.

I don't know if McGlynn will challenge for playing time as a rookie, but he has to be a capable reserve at the very least. Guard is the most logical first step for McGlynn, who has a pro body and the right demeanor to make it. Castillo is very specific in the way he teaches his technique. The learning has just started for McGlynn.

QUINTIN DEMPS, S

Safety is one of the most difficult positions to learn for new Eagles. It encompasses a lot of the complexity of Jim Johnson's defense. Demps has a ton of learning to do, starting now. He is a terrific athlete and he has a chance to fit in very well what Johnson wants from the position: Go get the ball and make plays.

Demps has the benefit of learning from the best, Brian Dawkins. The Eagles also have Quintin Mikell and Sean Considine and J.R. Reed, all of whom know the defense expertly. It is going to be an involved and strict discipline that Demps will need to master before Johnson trusts him enough to get on the field.

In the meantime, Demps is best served by taking advantage of every moment in the classroom and on the field. He can contribute right away on special teams in coverage and in the return game. The opportunity is there. Demps is going to push. He is a confident guy who carries himself with a swagger, so he won't back down and accept a minor role.

JACK IKEGWONU, CB

It is strictly mental for Ikegwonu, who won't play this year. He spent the post-draft camp  in the classroom and on the sidelines and will do the same throughout the rest of the spring and summer.

These are valuable moments for the injured cornerback, who must stay with the program and realize the benefits of this year's hard work when he can play in 2009.

MIKE GIBSON, OL

He is in the same boat with McGlynn. Gibson is going to get some reps across the board as Castillo evaluates his footwork, his hand placement, his strength and his intelligence. Gibson has to beat out players like Scott Young and Nick Cole to make this team.

Gibson is tough and he is a pretty good athlete. To say he will play this year is a leap. He has to make the team first, and then go from there.

JOE MAYS, LB

Mays is a good athlete and a plugger who is going to get a look at the WILL linebacker position. This is not an easy position to learn. There are so many things to recognize, so many adjustments to make and it takes time. The Eagles want to see Mays and how he reacts to movement and to the speed of the game.

Mays is going to be on special teams in the preseason, and he has a chance to earn a roster spot there. Linebacker is a matter of playing with aggressive discipline. Mays comes from a small school and has to learn a totally new system under Johnson, a stern teacher. Mays should be in the mix for a roster spot in the summer.

ANDY STUDEBACKER, LB

A converted defensive end, Studebacker has the greatest leap to make of all the Eagles draft picks. He played defensive end at Wheaton, not exactly a pipeline to the NFL. Studebacker is playing SAM linebacker at the moment, which means he has an extremely difficult transition.

The best advice for Studebacker is to get in his playbook as much as possible. The kid has physical gifts, but they won't mean a thing until he learns how to play the position.

KING DUNLAP, OT

Blessed with long arms, good feet and some athletic ability, Dunlap has a shot to make the roster. He needs to be in better shape, and he needs to heed every word that comes out of Coach Castillo's mouth.

Defensive ends are going to throw everything at Dunlap. The good thing for him is that the Eagles have a lot of talent at defensive end, and they will give Dunlap a lot of looks in training camp. That will get Dunlap more prepared for the preseason games.

Dunlap is an intriguing guy. Can the Eagles make something out of him? How much does he want to be an NFL player? We're going to find out, getting another bit of information during next week's camp.