By Tuesday, Eagles general manager Howie Roseman must reduce Philadelphia’s roster to 53 players.
Cutting from some positions will be more difficult than others.The Eagles are not as deep as the Super Bowl squad from the previous year.
The first 53 players may alter from the Week 1 roster if Roseman adds a few through trades or waivers.
However, here is our best estimate for the first 53-man Eagles roster:
Three quarterbacks: Kyle McCord, Tanner McKee, and Jalen Hurts
Analysis: The Eagles’ backup quarterback situation should be a concern. Due to an injury to his right finger, McKee might not be able to play in their season opener against the Dallas Cowboys.
The Eagles cannot rely on McCord to be the No. 2 if McKee is off for an extended amount of time. He is not pro-ready and has struggled all summer. The following day, McCord might be removed for another quarterback after making the first 53. A year on the practice squad would help him.
Following Dorian Thompson-Robinson, the Eagles will move on.His chances of making the PS are slim.
AJ Dillon, Ben Van Sumeren (fullback), Will Shipley, and Saquon Barkley are the four running backs.
Analysis: Shipley may be utilized this season in the passing game. He runs solid routes and has great hands.
Dillon doesn’t have as much upside and is a big-bodied bruiser. He might be useful when there is limited yardage.
After Week 1, Dillon could be released by the Eagles and signed to a non-guaranteed deal. Montrell Johnson Jr., an undrafted rookie, might be promoted from the PS to play against the Cowboys.
A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, Jahan Dotson, Darius Cooper, John Metchie, and Ainias Smith are the six wide receivers.
Analysis: Cooper might grow into WR3 the next season, taking Dotson’s place if he decides to go in free agency.
Metchie is a superior pass-catcher and takes over for John Wilson as a blocker. At the top of his paths, he separates people.
Ainias Smith, who has been erratic during training camp, might be replaced by a punt returner next week by the Eagles.
Tight ends (3): Kylen Granson, Grant Calcaterra, and Dallas Goedert
Analysis: The Eagles may carry two tight ends this season, as they did last season. Granson is superior than the other players on Philadelphia’s roster bubble, though, and he had some strong training camp performances.
Jordan Mailata, Landon Dickerson, Cam Jurgens, Tyler Steen, Lane Johnson, Drew Kendall, Matt Pryor, Dari Kinnard, and Myles Hinton are the offensive line (9)
Breakdown: It’s difficult to predict the backup offensive line, but Pryor, Kendall, and Kinnard appear to be safe picks. Every player has a variety of skills. Kendall can play center/guard, and Pryor and Kinnard are also versatile tackle-guards.
For the next four years, Kendall, a Boston College rookie selected in the fifth round, could play a key role on the Eagles offensive line.
Notable O-linemen Trevor Keegan, Kendall Lamm, Kenyon Green, and Cameron Williams could be left off the roster.
Williams might end up on the PS as a developmental rookie. After ten solid years, Lamm is no longer dependable. Keegan, a fifth-round selection in the 2024 NFL Draft, hasn’t worked out. Green hasn’t remained healthy since joining the Eagles in the C.J. Gardner-Johnson trade.
Nolan Smith, Jalyx Hunt, Josh Uche, Azeez Ojulari, and Patrick Johnson are the five edge rushers.
Breakdown: In only one week, the Eagles’ pass-rush team may look completely different. The only locks are Smith, Hunt, and Uche. Ojulari is likely to make the 53, but this is not a given.
The Eagles might be able to replace Johnson and Ojulari. Despite having a poor summer, Ojulari was effective during his four seasons with the New York Giants.
Six defensive tackles: Ty Robinson, Gabe Hall, Byron Young, Jordan Davis, Moro Ojomo, and Alen Carter
Breakdown: The Eagles may decide to retain six DTs because Young and Hall both performed well during training camp. Young or Hall may eventually be cut by the Eagles to free up space at another position.
Four linebackers: Smael Mondon Jr., Jeremiah Trotter Jr., Jihaad Campbell, and Zack Baun.
Analysis: Nakobe Dean may lose his defensive position during the season since he is expected to begin on the PUP (physically unable to perform list). As promised, Campbell has performed well.
Quinyon Mitchell, Cooper DeJean, Adoree Jackson, Mac McWilliams, Jakorian Bennett, and Kelee Ringo are the six cornerbacks.
Breakdown: Two weeks ago, I did not include Jackson in my 53-man roster forecast. Oh no, I made a mistake. He is scheduled to start opposite Mitchell. You shouldn’t expect on Bennett to replace Jackson once he feels at ease with the plan. McWilliams appears to have a lot of potential and may start games in his rookie campaign.
Out of all the players in training camp, Ringo had the weakest performance. Prior to suffering a quad injury this past week, he was the clear favorite to start at CB2, but he was dropped to the bottom of the depth chart. He did not participate in the preseason game against the New York Jets on Friday night.
Ringo is the sixth-best CB in Philadelphia. Because he excels on special teams, he will probably make the roster.
However, Roseman may also give Ringo a new beginning by trading him. In return, the Eagles might be able to acquire a young edge rusher. There have been worse incidents.
Safeties (4): Tristin McCollum, Sydney Brown, Drew Mukuba, and Reed Blankenship
Analysis: The competition for Philadelphia’s fourth safety spot has been fierce between Andre Sam and McCollum. McCollum is given the nod since he has more experience than Sam and has gained the confidence of defensive coordinator Vic Fangio.
Braden Mann, Jake Elliott, and Charley Hughlett are the three members of the special teams.
Breakdown: Elliott is ready to recover after a fantastic summer.
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