With 12 games in the books, here is a look at how this year's rookie class has performed and progressed ...DT Trevor Laws – Second Round, No. 47 Overall
Since the conversion of Dan Klecko to fullback, Laws has been seeing a lot of snaps at defensive tackle. Laws has made 12 stops on the season when throwing his hat into an active defensive line rotation.
WR DeSean Jackson – Second Round, No. 49 Overall
If not for a particularly strong rookie class at quarterback and running back, we might be hearing the peals of Jackson's rookie of the year campaign. He's been an invaluable asset for the Eagles, catching 53 balls for 775 yards and two scores. He's gained 98 rushing yards and tallied a score, a talent that's allowed the Eagles to implement their version of the Wildcat offense, a modern variation of the resurgent, but once archaic, single-wing offense. He's been a big-play threat on punt returns, grabbing a touchdown there as well, and he's second in the NFL in total punt return yardage. His judgment on returns will probably need to improve as he adjusts to the NFL, but he's making progress. Obviously, it's still extremely early, but this could turn out to be one of the great picks of the Andy Reid era in Philadelphia.
S/KR Quintin Demps – Fourth Round, No. 117 Overall
Against Baltimore, Demps finally got the kick return touchdown he'd be threatening for a while. He's third in the NFL in total kickoff return yardage, but only 13th in average. Still, he's improved as the year has gone on. On punt team, he's established a rapport with Sav Rocca, and he's downed multiple punts inside the 10-yard line. But Demps' future in Philadelphia might be dictated by his ability to play in the secondary. With Asante Samuel out last week, he took reps at cornerback. His future might be at safety. Who knows? But the more versatile, the better.
LB Joe Mays – Sixth Round, No. 200 Overall
Mays has been the only other Eagle rookie activated for a game this season. He participated in games against Chicago and San Francisco on special teams, but has no recorded stats.
Inactives
DE Bryan Smith (Third Round, No. 80 Overall) has been inactive all season. OL Mike Gibson (Sixth Round, No. 184 Overall), CB Jack Ikegwuonu (Fourth Round, No. 131 Overall) and OT King Dunlap (Seventh Round, No. 230 Overall) are all on injured reserve. OL Mike McGlynn (Fourth Round, No. 109 Overall) hasn't been activated all season, but likely will this weekend after Max Jean-Gilles' season-ending ankle injury.
Catching Up With Andy Studebaker
Funny how things work out. Studebaker (Sixth Round, No. 203 Overall) was the only Eagle draft pick to be cut, but he's also one of just five who has actually played in a game this season. After being released, Studebaker was retained on the Eagles' practice squad, before he was picked up last month by Kansas City. He's been active for two games in Kansas City, playing on special teams.
