Now that the Eagles’ preseason schedule is over, Philadelphia’s focus shifts to slicing their roster all the way down to the common season 53-player restrict earlier than the 4:00 PM Japanese deadline on Tuesday, August 29. Right here’s our greatest effort at projecting what the ORIGINAL 53 goes to appear to be. Observe that the Birds will possible make some tweaks (injured reserve placements, trades, waiver claims) earlier than they really play the New England Patriots in Week 1.
OFFENSE
QUARTERBACK: Jalen Hurts, Marcus Mariota, Tanner McKee (3) [3]
Hurts had a superb camp. And there’s each motive to imagine in a dude who’s completely obsessive about getting again to the Tremendous Bowl and profitable this time. Mariota was a internet destructive this summer season however he did sufficient to stay QB2 … for now. His leash on that job needs to be shortened given how properly McKee performed.
OUT: Ian Ebook
RUNNING BACK: Kenneth Gainwell, D’Andre Swift, Boston Scott, Rashaad Penny (4) [7]
Kenny G led all Eagles operating backs in first-team carries, hat tip to SportsRadio 94WIP’s Eliot Shorr-Parks. That also doesn’t lead me to imagine he’ll be a bellcow again all season lengthy as a lot as he’s the favourite to get probably the most touches early on. The sensation right here is that the Eagles’ backfield state of affairs continues to be very a lot fluid. Roles might be depending on matchups, recreation script, and efficiency. If there’s a scorching hand to experience, one would anticipate them to take action. For now, it appears like all 4 backs might be concerned to some extent. Swift is probably the most dynamic risk, particularly with the worth he brings as a pass-catcher. Scott is sturdy and coming off a superb camp. Penny’s inventory may rise late within the 12 months because the climate will get chilly and his hard-running type is not any enjoyable for defenses to cope with. Trey Sermon by no means appeared so good that the Birds MUST hold him; he logged 3.5 yards per keep on 30 preseason rushes.
OUT: Trey Sermon, Kennedy Brooks
WR: A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, Quez Watkins, Olamide Zaccheaus, Britain Covey (5) [12]
A.J. and DeVonta have been superior in camp; they need to be acknowledged as elite gamers at their place. Watkins did some good issues early in camp earlier than struggling a hamstring harm. In fact, this wasn’t the primary summer season that Quez appeared good in camp. He nonetheless has a lot to show by way of being trusted in common season motion. OZ isn’t overly flashy however he appears like he is usually a strong in a comparatively restricted position. Covey is being underrated as a result of he struggled early on final 12 months earlier than turning into one of many NFL’s easiest punt returners in his closing 10 video games. Covey additionally appeared ok as a move catcher in camp regardless of lacking a superb chunk of time with a hamstring harm. The Eagles don’t want to copy the early 2007 dynamic the place they eschewed having a punt returner and it price them a recreation that in the end may’ve been the distinction in making the playoffs. Devon Allen’s kick return within the preseason finale was good however that’s an space of the sport that’s going to be much less vital than ever. Greg Ward did good issues however there’s no proof to counsel groups might be going exhausting after him. Joseph Ngata confirmed some potential however he’s not there but and may gain advantage by creating on the observe squad.
OUT: Devon Allen, Greg Ward Jr., Joseph Ngata, Deon Cain, Jadon Haselwood, Johnny King, Freddie Swain
TE: Dallas Goedert, Jack Stoll, Grant Calcaterra, Tyree Jackson (4) [16]
Goedert had an superior camp that will have been overshadowed by how good A.J. and DeVonta have been. The Eagles actually like Stoll as their high blocking tight finish. Calcaterra didn’t overly impress however he was in a troublesome spot with Mariota failing to precisely get the ball to him. Jackson flashed simply sufficient to make the workforce … plus Howie Roseman as soon as talked about his potential as a think about buying and selling Zach Ertz.
OUT: Dan Arnold, Brady Russell
OL: Jordan Mailata, Landon Dickerson, Jason Kelce, Cam Jurgens, Lane Johnson, Tyler Steen, Fred Johnson, Jack Driscoll, Sua Opeta (9) [25]
The starters are in place with Jurgens seizing the correct guard job. The Eagles ought to have one of many easiest — if not THE easiest — offensive traces within the NFL. There are questions concerning the workforce’s depth. Steen appeared higher at deal with than guard. Johnson got here out of nowhere to earn a depth spot; his deal with/guard versatility helped him. Driscoll didn’t actually look that nice to me however the Eagles nonetheless appear to love him. Opeta being a pure guard limits his worth however he brings expertise and familiarity to the desk. Julian Good-Jones is a troublesome lower right here due to his C/G versatility. The Eagles can in all probability get him to the observe squad, although. Similar goes for vets like Josh Andrews and Dennis Kelly. The Eagles seemingly wished Josh Sills to say a roster spot however he actually struggled upon returning to the roster.
OUT: Julian Good-Jones, Josh Andrews, Dennis Kelly, Josh Sills, Brett Toth, Roderick Johnson, Tyrese Robinson, Cameron Tom
DEFENSE
DE: Josh Sweat, Brandon Graham, Derek Barnett (3) [28]
Sweat had one other nice camp, no massive deal to him. BLG continues to be going to provide the Eagles juice off the bench. Barnett goes to commit dumb penalties and nobody might be shocked.
OUT: Janarius Robinson, Tarron Jackson
SAM: Haason Reddick, Nolan Smith, Patrick Johnson (3) [31]
Reddick is predicted to be able to play in Week 1 regardless of having thumb surgical procedure. It’ll be attention-grabbing to see how Smith’s position evolves over the course of the season. He might need to play his means into increasingly snaps. Johnson appeared fairly good in camp earlier than getting harm. He would possibly really be forward of Smith as the highest SAM backup.
OUT: Kyron Johnson, Quinton Bell
DT: Fletcher Cox, Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis, Milton Williams, Marlon Tuipulotu, Moro Ojomo (6) [37]
The Eagles have been utilizing a six-man DT rotation late final 12 months. Why not return to it? All of those gamers are price rostering. The Eagles know what they’ve in Cox. Carter has the potential to be actually good; even perhaps the Defensive Rookie of the 12 months. But it surely’s additionally not widespread for rookie DTs to be tremendous productive from the soar. It might be good to see Davis extra concerned within the stat sheet; we’ll see if he can get that achieved. Williams improved from 12 months 1 to 12 months 2 and he might be higher in 12 months 3. Tuipulotu appeared ok in camp to earn a spot. Ojomo additionally appeared good however maybe the Eagles will carry him on the 53 after which put him on IR to unencumber a spot for no less than 4 weeks whereas he recovers. As a vested vet not topic to waivers, Kentavius Avenue might be re-signed after some Eagles roster chicanery.
OUT: Kentavius Avenue, Olive Sagapolu, Robert Cooper, Caleb Sanders, Marvin Wilson
LB: Nakobe Dean, Zach Cunningham, Christian Elliss (3) [40]
Dean didn’t essentially have a foul summer season however it’s truthful to say he wasn’t as spectacular as one would’ve hoped him to be. Regardless, he’s the highest linebacker in the meanwhile, which additionally speaks to the weak point of the place. Cunningham confirmed the makings of a reputable starter after signing with the workforce in early August. Elliss has flashed however he’s in all probability not ideally fitted to a full-time position as a lot as he is usually a rotational participant. Nicholas Morrow fell down the depth chart and Ben VanSumeren is just too uncooked at this stage. Tyreek Maddox-Williams in all probability made extra performs within the Eagles’ preseason finale than all of their linebackers did mixed all summer season lengthy … however it’s too small of pattern measurement to earn a roster spot. The Eagles ought to hold him on the observe squad.
OUT: Nicholas Morrow, Ben VanSumeren, Tyreek Maddox-Williams
CB: Darius Slay, James Bradberry, Avonte Maddox, Josh Jobe, Mario Goodrich, Kelee Ringo, Eli Ricks (7) [47]
Slay and Bradberry are the skin starters. Maddox didn’t actually have a superb summer season, which isn’t a complete shock since he’s coming off an harm that lingered into the beginning of camp. Jobe stepped up and earned his position as the highest backup choice on the skin. He would possibly even be a future starter at some point? Goodrich figures to be the highest backup slot choice, particularly with Zech McPhearson out for the 12 months. He additionally could be a “carry by way of the lower deadline after which place on IR” candidate since he’s harm and didn’t play within the preseason finale. I’ve seen some counsel that Ringo shouldn’t make the workforce and I feel that’s harsh contemplating he turned 21 lower than a month in the past. He’s not a completed product; give him a while. Ricks didn’t actually stand out in observe like he did within the preseason video games. The Eagles would possibly need to go heavy with youth at this spot contemplating Slay and Bradberry are on the unsuitable facet of 30.
OUT: Mekhi Garner, Josiah Scott
S: Reed Blankenship, Terrell Edmunds, Justin Evans, Sydney Brown (4) [51]
Blankenship appears ready to make a leap from 12 months 1 to 12 months 2; he had an important camp. Whereas his outlook is obvious, it very a lot stays to be seen how the remainder of this place goes to play out. Edmunds is probably the most skilled starter and he wasn’t a complete legal responsibility so he might be price retaining round. Evans has lately been taking first-team security reps, so, the Eagles appear to love him despite the fact that he hasn’t been nice. Brown did not completely seize a beginning job however he would possibly finally find yourself in that spot by default. Okay’Von Wallace was a troublesome lower because the workforce has overvalued him prior to now however he was taking part in so much within the preseason finale, which generally isn’t a superb signal.
OUT: Okay’Von Wallace, Tristin McCollum
SPECIAL TEAMS
Okay: Jake Elliott (1) [52]
No motive to be involved about Elliott, who completed the preseason sturdy with area purpose makes from 52 and 59.
LS: Rick Lovato (1) [53]
Chalk.
P: none
The Eagles want a brand new punter. Arryn Siposs beating out Ty Zentner is not any accomplishment. The previous merely stunk rather less than the latter. The Eagles can not go right into a season with Siposs as their punter when he performed a giant position of their final two playoff losses. They’ve to have the ability to do higher than him.
OUT: Arryn Siposs
INJURY
INJURED RESERVE
LB Shaun BradleyWR Tyrie ClevelandDT Noah EllissCB Zech McPhearsonWR Charleston Rambo
By being positioned on IR previous to the institution of 53-man rosters, these gamers are presently ineligible to play for the Eagles through the 2023 season. The exception is that if they’re waived with harm settlements and sufficient time passes to be eligible to re-sign with Philly. However the nature of a few of these accidents prohibit the gamers from being bodily able to taking part in soccer this 12 months.
RETIRED
RESERVE/RETIRED
LB Myles Jack
Two weeks after signing with the Eagles, Jack determined to retire. The Birds personal his rights if he alters his thoughts and desires to come back again to soccer.
PRACTICE SQUAD
RB Trey Sermon, WR Joseph Ngata, WR Devon Allen, WR Greg Ward, TE Brady Russell, OL Josh Andrews, OL Dennis Kelly, OL Julian Good-Jones, OL Josh Sills, DE Janarius Robinson, SAM Kyron Johnson, DT Kentavius Avenue, LB Ben VanSumeren, LB Tyreek Maddox-Williams, CB Mekhi Garner, S Okay’Von Wallace
