Now that the Eagles’ preseason schedule is fortunately over, Philadelphia’s focus shifts to reducing their roster all the way down to the common season 53-player restrict earlier than the 4:00 PM Japanese deadline on Tuesday, August 27. Right here’s our greatest effort at projecting what the ORIGINAL 53 goes to appear like. Notice that the Birds will seemingly make some tweaks (injured reserve placements, trades, waiver claims) earlier than they really play the Inexperienced Bay Packers in Week 1. Additionally be aware that this exercise is about predicting what the Eagles will do versus what we expect they need to do.
OFFENSE
QB: Jalen Hurts, Kenny Pickett, Tanner McKee (3) [3]
Hurts turned within the strongest coaching camp of his profession. Pickett hasn’t executed a lot to encourage confidence … however he does have actual recreation expertise, so, there’s that. McKee ought to’ve been given extra of a legit likelihood to win the QB2 job however he didn’t absolutely capitalize on his restricted alternatives. Will Grier might return on the follow squad or possibly even be a part of the teaching workers.
OUT: Will Grier
RB: Saquon Barkley, Kenny Gainwell, Will Shipley (3) [6]
Barkley had a comparatively quiet summer time however he’s set to see loads of touches this 12 months. Gainwell completed camp robust, cementing his standing as RB2. Shipley figures to see some occasional motion. Tyrion Davis-Value ran arduous within the preseason however ball safety points (each drops and fumbles) have been plaguing him relationship again to spring practices, making him untrustworthy. The Eagles ought to have the ability to get away with holding RB4 on the follow squad.
OUT: Tyrion Davis-Value, Lew Nichols, Kendall Milton
WR: A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, Jahan Dotson, Britain Covey, Johnny Wilson, Ainias Smith (6) [12]
A.J. and DeVonta look superior as ever. Dotson is clearly right here to be WR3. Covey is a strong WR4 who can contribute as a possession man along with returning punts. Wilson’s large play capability is intriguing however his inventory has taken successful after struggling and lacking time as a consequence of a concussion. Smith has executed sufficient to rebound from a very tough begin to camp; Howie Roseman gained’t need to lower bait with a draft decide so quickly. Conserving a vet like Parris Campbell or John Ross on the follow squad for depth is smart for the workforce. Joseph Ngata regarded good within the second preseason recreation however actually struggled within the finale.
OUT: Parris Campbell, John Ross, Joseph Ngata, Jacob Harris, Griffin Hebert, Austin Watkins Jr.
TE: Dallas Goedert, Grant Calcaterra (2) [14]
Goedert had a pair practices the place he actually stood out after which a bunch the place he didn’t in any respect. Calcaterra stepped as much as earn the TE2 job. The Eagles will look so as to add a 3rd tight finish (and possibly even a fourth?) after the unique lower all the way down to 53. That would contain bringing again E.J. Jenkins, if he clears waivers. Jenkins had a great summer time however he was unsigned for many of final season, which might point out he’s not precisely in excessive demand. Control a possible Jack Stoll reunion since he doesn’t appear to be in an awesome place to make the Giants’ roster. Albert O has principally executed nothing for the reason that Eagles traded for him final 12 months round this time and he doesn’t play particular groups.
OUT: E.J. Jenkins, Albert Okwuegbunam, Kevin Foelsch, Armani Rogers,
OL: Jordan Mailata, Landon Dickerson, Cam Jurgens, Mekhi Becton, Lane Johnson, Tyler Steen, Fred Johnson, Brett Toth, Trevor Keegan, Dylan McMahon (10) [24]
The beginning offensive line is about with Becton profitable the correct guard competitors. Steen’s harm restoration timeline is unclear; maybe the Eagles will use the brand new injured reserve mechanics to place him on IR to stop utilizing a roster spot on him whereas nonetheless holding him eligible to return this season? Keegan may be a candidate in that regard since he received harm in follow final week and is behind different veterans on the depth chart. Steen is likely to be the Eagles’ swing deal with when he’s wholesome … till then, it’s Fred Johnson. Jeff Stoutland appears to actually like him some Brett Toth. McMahon has executed sufficient to make the workforce. Darian Kinnard was a tricky name for the reason that Eagles appear to love him a bit bit however he ought to have the ability to return on the follow squad. Matt Hennessy and/or Nick Gates might additionally present veteran depth on the follow squad.
OUT: Darian Kinnard, Matt Hennessy, Nick Gates, Max Scharping, Gottlieb Ayedze, Jason Poe
DEFENSE
EDGE: Bryce Huff, Josh Sweat, Brandon Graham, Nolan Smith, Jalyx Hunt, Patrick Johnson (6) [30]
It’ll be attention-grabbing to see how Huff handles his transition to being extra of a full-time participant. Sweat is getting into a contract 12 months; this can be a large alternative to re-prove himself. BG seems like he nonetheless has gasoline left within the tank; he’s set to complete his profession robust. Smith taking part in a lot within the preseason finale was not a really encouraging signal for the way the teaching workers views him. If he’s thought of to be integral to their move rush rotation this 12 months, why would he be taking part in in a meaningless recreation whereas so many others weren’t? Hunt seems like he’s able to contribute prior to anticipated. Johnson will not be a lock however he had a great summer time and he may help out on particular groups. Bringing Julian Okwara again on the follow squad can be perfect however he would possibly land with a brand new workforce.
OUT: Julian Okwara, Terrell Lewis, Tarron Jackson
DT: Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis, Milton Williams, Marlon Tuipulotu, Moro Ojomo (5) [35)
Carter is a beast. Davis needs to take a big step this year. If the Eagles don’t extend Williams soon, he’s going to cash in (whether Philly or elsewhere) even bigger after a strong season. The Eagles like Tuipulotu as a rotational player. Ojomo had a good summer and looks ready to make a leap in Year 2. Leaving Thomas Booker IV out here was tough but it’s not like teams were dying to sign him off the Eagles’ practice squad last year so he might be able to make it back. Booker IV and/or PJ Mustipher could be good to have on the practice squad for even more DT depth.
OUT: Thomas Booker IV, PJ Mustipher, Gabe Hall
LB: Devin White, Zack Baun, Nakobe Dean, Jeremiah Trotter Jr., Ben VanSumeren (5) [40]
White and Baun are projected to be the Week 1 starters however “beginning” won’t be probably the most related strategy to qualify significance at this place. It’s fairly potential Nakobe Dean performs extra snaps than no less than a type of two guys even when he’s not beginning; there could possibly be a linebacker rotation. JTJ will push for taking part in time because the 12 months goes on. BVS regarded good on each protection and particular groups; no want to reveal him to waivers. Oren Burks made a powerful closing impression within the preseason finale however 1) he ought to look good as a veteran going up towards younger third-string guys and a couple of) do groups actually need to assure his 2024 wage by holding him on the roster for Week 1? Brandon Smith would’ve made the roster in years previous, when the Eagles have been worse off at linebacker. Smith must be again on the follow squad.
OUT: Oren Burks, Brandon Smith
CB: Darius Slay, Isaiah Rodgers, Quinyon Mitchell, Kelee Ringo, Cooper DeJean (5) [45]
Slay is beginning. He doesn’t appear like he’s fallen off a cliff regardless of being one of many oldest corners within the NFL. Rodgers seems poised to begin on the skin throughout from Slay however it would possibly truly be Mitchell who holds that function in base protection. Rodgers might are available in to play the skin when Mitchell shifts inside to the slot. Ringo might ultimately overtake Rodgers however he’s a backup for now. DeJean won’t be able to play straight away after lacking a lot time in the summertime; he regarded rusty within the preseason finale, which was to be anticipated. Eli Ricks might very effectively make the roster however he hasn’t had an awesome summer time and he isn’t probably the most useful particular groups participant. I might see Ricks being saved on the unique roster after which getting traded, so I would kick myself for not projecting the Eagles to maintain him no less than briefly. Josh Jobe is sweet on particular groups however has struggled as a defender, by Vic Fangio’s personal admission (he mentioned Jobe has been too grabby, resulting in penalties). Parry Nickerson could possibly be a cromulent follow squad veteran depth man.
OUT: Eli Ricks, Josh Jobe, Parry Nickerson, Zech McPhearson, Shon Stephens
S: Reed Blankenship, C.J. Gardner-Johnson, James Bradberry, Avonte Maddox, Tristin McCollum (5) [50]
I don’t be ok with this prediction past Blankenship and CJGJ as the plain starters. I’ve been reluctant to imagine the Eagles will preserve Bradberry contemplating he’s not even a certain depth choice and he doesn’t present particular groups worth. However I assume I really feel like they could’ve lower him by now to assist him catch on with one other workforce in the event that they have been prepared to surrender on him? I wouldn’t preserve Bradberry, if it was as much as me. Maddox supplies depth at each security and nickel nook. McCollum couldn’t have realistically executed way more to make the workforce; he deserves to make the roster and the Eagles won’t need to threat shedding him. Caden Sterns looks like a chief candidate for the brand new injured reserve mechanic the place the Eagles can put him on IR to assist get all the way down to 53 and nonetheless designate him to return sooner or later this season.
OUT: Caden Sterns, Andre’ Sam
SPECIAL TEAMS
Ok: Jake Elliott (1) [51]
Elliott is the Eagles’ kicker. Good to see him make all his kicks since lacking two within the first preseason recreation.
P: Braden Mann (1) [52]
Mann is the Eagles’ punter.
LS: Rick Lovato (1) [53]
Lovato is the Eagles’ lengthy snapper.
INJURY DESIGNATION
RESERVE/PUP – PHYSICALLY UNABLE TO PERFORM: Sydney Brown
At this level, holding Brown on PUP to begin the season makes probably the most sense. Why rush him again into the fold after he’s missed all of coaching camp and each preseason recreation? Brown happening reserve/PUP makes him ineligible to play within the Eagles’ first 4 video games. After which the workforce has a bye in Week 5, so, that units Brown to make his 2024 debut in Week 6 (October 13) on the earliest. Fittingly, Brown might play towards the Browns.
INJURED RESERVE
As beforehand talked about, the Eagles can use a brand new IR mechanic to place as much as two gamers on IR earlier than cuts all the way down to 53 and nonetheless have them be eligible to play in 2024. Caden Sterns looks like a match for that. Perhaps Steen or Keegan for the opposite spot? We’ll see.
PRACTICE SQUAD
QB Will Grier, RB Tyrion Davis-Value, WR John Ross, WR Joseph Ngata, TE Jack Stoll, OT Anim Dankwah, OL Darian Kinnard, OG Nick Gates, EDGE Julian Okwara, DT Thomas Booker IV, DT P.J. Mustipher, LB Oren Burks, LB Brandon Smith, CB Josh Jobe, S Caden Sterns, S Andre’ Sam
Worldwide exemption: OT Laekin Vakalahi
