Eagles general manager Howie Roseman has to trim Philadelphia’s roster down to 53 by Tuesday.
Certain positions will be harder to cut from than others. The Eagles are less deep compared to last year’s Super Bowl team.
Roseman could add a few players in trades or via waivers, which means the initial 53 could look different than the Week 1 roster.
But here is our best guess for the Eagles’ initial 53-man roster:
Quarterbacks (3):Jalen Hurts,Tanner McKee,Kyle McCord
Breakdown: The Eagles should be worried about their backup QB situation. McKee has a right finger injury and may not be healthy for their season opener against the Dallas Cowboys.
If McKee is out for a long period, the Eagles cannot trust McCord to be the No. 2. He has struggled the entire summer and is not pro-ready. McCord could make the initial 53 and get waived the next day for another QB. He would benefit from a year on the practice squad.
The Eagles will move on from Dorian Thompson-Robinson. He’s got an outside shot at making the PS.
Running backs (4):Saquon Barkley,Will Shipley, AJ Dillon,Ben VanSumeren (fullback)
Breakdown: Shipley could be used in the passing game this season. He has strong hands and runs good routes.
Dillon is a big-bodied bruiser and doesn’t offer as much upside. He could be valuable on short-yardage situations.
The Eagles could release Dillon and bring him back after Week 1 on a non-guaranteed contract. Undrafted rookie Montrell Johnson Jr. could be elevated from the PS to play against the Cowboys.
Wide receivers (6):A.J. Brown,DeVonta Smith,Jahan Dotson,Darius Cooper,John Metchie,Ainias Smith
Breakdown: Cooper could develop into WR3 next season and replace Dotson who could leave in free agency.
Metchie replaces Johnny Wilson’s role as a blocker and is a better pass catcher. He creates separation at the top of his routes.
The Eagles could possibly add a punt returner next week to replace Ainias Smith, who has been inconsistent during training camp.
Tight ends (3):Dallas Goedert,Grant Calcaterra,Kylen Granson
Breakdown: The Eagles carried two tight ends going into last season and could do the same this year. However, Granson had some good moments during training camp and is better than other players on Philadelphia’s roster bubble.
Offensive line (9):Jordan Mailata,Landon Dickerson,Cam Jurgens,Tyler Steen,Lane Johnson,Drew Kendall,Matt Pryor,Darian Kinnard,Myles Hinton
Breakdown: Predicting the backup offensive line is tricky, but these three players seem safe: Pryor, Kendall and Kinnard. Each player offers versatility. Pryor and Kinnard both have tackle-guard flexibility, and Kendall can play center/guard.
Kendall, a fifth-round rookie from Boston College, could be an instrumental part of the Eagles’ offensive line for the next four years.
Cameron Williams, Kendall Lamm, Kenyon Green and Trevor Keegan are the notable O-linemen who could be omitted from the roster.
Williams is a developmental rookie and could land on the PS. Lamm is no longer reliable after being solid for 10 years. Keegan hasn’t panned out as a fifth-round pick from the 2024 NFL Draft. Green, who was acquired by the Eagles in the C.J. Gardner-Johnson trade, hasn’t stayed healthy.
Edge rushers (5):Nolan Smith,Jalyx Hunt,Josh Uche,Azeez Ojulari,Patrick Johnson
Breakdown: The Eagles’ pass-rush unit could look very different in a week. Smith, Hunt and Uche are the only locks. Ojulari will probably make the 53, but it’s not guaranteed.
The Eagles could upgrade over Ojulari and Johnson. Ojulari was productive in his four seasons with the New York Giants, but he had a disappointing summer.
Defensive tackles (6):Jalen Carter,Jordan Davis,Moro Ojomo,Ty Robinson, Gabe Hall, Byron Young
Breakdown: Young and Hall both played well during training camp, which could convince the Eagles to keep six DTs. The Eagles could eventually release Young or Hall to make room at another position.
Linebackers (4):Zack Baun,Jihaad Campbell,Jeremiah Trotter Jr.,Smael Mondon Jr.
Breakdown:Nakobe Dean will likely start the season on PUP (physically unable to perform list) and could lose his role on defense during that time. Campbell has been good as advertised.
Cornerbacks (6):Quinyon Mitchell,Cooper DeJean,Adoree’ Jackson,Mac McWilliams,Jakorian Bennett,Kelee Ringo
Breakdown: I left Jackson off my 53-man roster projection two weeks ago. Whoops, that was a mistake. He’s in line to start across from Mitchell. Bennett could take over for Jackson once he’s comfortable in the scheme, but you shouldn’t count on it. McWilliams looks promising and could start games during his rookie season.
Ringo had the worst outcome of any player in training camp. He was once the favorite to start at CB2, but he was demoted to the bottom of the depth chart this past week and suffered a quad injury. He didn’t play in Friday’s night preseason game against the New York Jets.
Ringo is Philadelphia’s sixth-best CB. He will likely make the roster because he’s good on special teams.
But Roseman could also trade Ringo to give him a fresh start. Maybe the Eagles could get a young edge rusher in exchange. Crazier things have happened.
Safeties (4):Reed Blankenship,Drew Mukuba,Sydney Brown, Tristin McCollum
Breakdown: The battle between Andre’ Sam and McCollum for Philadelphia’s fourth safety spot has been close. McCollum is more experienced than Sam and has earned the trust of defensive coordinator Vic Fangio, giving him the nod.
Special teams (3): Charley Hughlett,Jake Elliott and Braden Mann
Breakdown: Elliott had a great summer and is poised to bounce back.
Thank you for relying on us to provide the journalism you can trust. Please consider supporting us with a subscription. Cayden Steele may be reached atCSteele@njadvancemedia.com
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