DeSean Jackson shared the story last week about how Jalen Hurts dazzled on scout team in 2020, showing signs of what the public later realized. But the only witnesses who could confirm Hurts’ proficiency were those watching practices.

Once the season begins, the meaningful parts of practice are behind closed doors (or gates) and hidden from reporters to observe. Any pertinent details about player development come from word of mouth. There have been times in the locker room this season when a starting player will remark about how much a down-the-roster player has helped him, so it led to a survey for contributing players: Which scout team player has made you better or deserves attention? 

A sampling of the answers reveals under-the-radar players to remember, with another sampling to come in a few weeks:

Jordan Mailata: “(Tarron Jackson). I think every year he kind of gets put in a situation just with the depth. And he comes in here every day with the right attitude. I wish you guys could watch our practices because he is like pedal to the metal… full speed to the whistle. The guy is just biding his time working on this technique against us. I think he’s one player that’s definitely got me better with my just get-off in general, the speed. Because he’s lost a decent bit of weight, a lot faster now. So he’s been working on the speed. He’s not like Micah (Parson) speed or Myles Garrett speed, those are premier rushers. Not to confuse you. But T-Jack is definitely on his way, man. I think he’s one of the key parts here that gets ready. Every time I see T-Jack, I’m like, ‘fuck,’ because he’s going to give you his best every play. Every play. That’s a given. You don’t have to worry about effort from his side. Because you’ll always get that from T-Jack.”

Landon Dickerson: “Moro (Ojomo). He goes hard in practice. He gives a good look. He makes you better.”

Cam Jurgens: “Moro Ojomo. He’s got a great motor, gets after it, and I can see he’s getting better throughout the season. That’s one guy I see every day.”

Sua Opeta: “Moro (Ojomo). He does a really good job of trying to imitate, but he’s also like really talented, so he’s got strength and some quickness to him. I’d say he gives really good looks.”

James Bradberry: “I’d say Devon Allen. I’d say Joe, too. ​​Joe Ngata. He just goes hard every play and is really a big physical receiver. …When I go against Devon, whenever I go against someone who’s fast, he’s real fast so he helps me out a lot. …I’d say those two guys in particular.”

Bradley Roby: “The fast guy, (Devon Allen). Hell yeah. Because I can’t just go up there and bullshit him, he’ll run past your ass. He’s got real speed. I’ve had a few reps against him and I’m like, ‘OK, today’s sweet.’ He’s got me locked back in. It’s easy to feel like, ‘scout guys, whatever,’ but when they work hard and run their routes crisp and get open, it pushes you and makes you work hard because you don’t have anyone doing that. So he’s a hard worker. He’s very fast. He’s a pro. See him working on his stuff all the time.”

Darius Slay: “G-Ward, Devon Allen. All them guys, they be working at the receiver position. They make me better during the week, for sure.”

Josh Sweat: “Shoot, Fred Johnson. …Shit, he gives me a good look every week. He actually changes up what he needs to do according to the guy, so he’s not just doing his own thing. He’ll do what those guys do. He does a pretty good job of it, too.”

Jalen Carter: “(Tyler) Steen. His hand movement, hand placement, very good — other guards or tackle, you beat them, you can go past them. Steen’s going to run with you. He’s going to make sure you don’t touch (the quarterback). He helps a lot, especially going up against an O-lineman with (good) hands, he gives you the best look.”

A.J. Brown: “Kelee Ringo. …Honestly, he switches up looks, he’s really talented. I’m trying to push him. Because sky’s the limit for him. He gets better each and every day I line up against him. The thing is…I don’t really think he knows what he has inside of him. And that’s the scary part. Once he figures it out, he definitely can be an All-Pro guy. That’s high praise, but I’m just being honest. I definitely get better every single time I line up against him.”

DeVonta Smith: “I would say (Brandon Smith). He’s flying around. He’d be everywhere. Wherever the ball at, he’s there. He gives us great looks out there.”

D’Andre Swift: “Brandon (Smith), for sure. Do I got to give you one player? Nolan (Smith). (Nicholas) Morrow. Ben (VanSumeren). Those are guys who come to mind.”

Dallas Goedert: “I have to go with (Mekhi Garner). I get matched up against him a lot. He’s a safety, he’s a bigger safety, stronger guy. I feel like he’s been getting better each and every week and he gives me problems sometimes. So he’s a good player and me and him battle it out quite a bit every day. So I enjoy going against him. A good dude. And definitely make each other better.”

Nakobe Dean: “It’s hard to point out one single guy. The O-line always do a good job. …Receivers always do a good job, but I’m not necessarily facing it. I would say the most work I get is from the tight ends and running backs. So Albert (Okwuegbunam). We have a carousel of running backs on the scout team since I’ve been here.  They all do a good job because we kind of make sure we hold them to that standard.”