It’s been over a month since we final revealed a Philadelphia Eagles 53-man roster prediction. Since then, we’ve realized extra concerning the group by means of watching their OTAs and minicamp practices. And so now it’s time for an up to date projection that accounts for the winners and losers of the spring offseason exercise program. We’ll be taught much more concerning the Eagles by way of coaching camp practices and preseason video games however, for now, right here’s a have a look at how the roster is shaping up.
OFFENSE
QB: Jalen Hurts, Kenny Pickett, Tanner McKee (3) [3]
The Eagles might need to chop Hurts since he wasn’t a “winner” from spring practices. Probably not. Pickett seemed good relative to QB2 expectations; he’s the favourite to be Hurts’ backup. McKee deserves to get some probabilities with the second-team offense however I’ll consider he’ll get them once I see it. He’s put himself ready to climb the depth chart if Pickett stumbles. Will Grier is a camp arm.
RB: Saquon Barkley, Kenny Gainwell, Will Shipley (3) [6]
Barkley didn’t flash in spring practices however he’s clearly paid to be RB1. Gainwell is a participant the teaching employees appears to like far more than exterior observers do. Shipley had a sluggish begin to OTAs however then he turned it up in minicamp and confirmed some pass-catching chops. Kendall Milton is a reputation to observe for RB4 however I believe the Eagles hold the fourth operating again on the observe squad, not the roster.
WR: A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, Parris Campbell, Britain Covey, Johnny Wilson, Ainias Smith (6) [12]
DeVante Parker’s sudden retirement clears the best way for Campbell to make the group as WR3. Hurts demonstrated a consolation degree with focusing on Campbell, which is important. That being stated, Campbell’s profession physique of labor isn’t very inspiring and the Eagles might nonetheless look to improve on him. Covey’s too good of a punt returner to not carry on the roster and he offers depth within the slot. Wilson may very well be a task participant however he’ll must be trusted to play on particular groups with a purpose to be energetic. Smith won’t make the group if he struggles in coaching camp like he did in OTAs. He is likely to be somebody the Eagles wish to stash away on IR. For now, we’ll say he’s on.
TE: Dallas Goedert, Grant Calcaterra, C.J. Uzomah (3) [15]
The Eagles want to determine a greater option to get Goedert going this season. Calcaterra had some good spring moments and noticed first-team motion in 12 personnel. Uzomah didn’t actually stick out as a receiver however he’s primarily going to be a blocker for this offense anyway. It’ll be fascinating to see if E.J. Jenkins can proceed to face out after making some spectacular catches in OTAs/minicamp.
OL: Jordan Mailata, Landon Dickerson, Cam Jurgens, Tyler Steen, Lane Johnson, Mekhi Becton, Matt Hennessy, Fred Johnson, Trevor Keegan, Dylan McMahon (10) [25]
The beginning offensive line is locked in … for now. It appears notable that the Eagles have been transferring Becton round, trying to make him the highest backup at each non-center place. Maybe he’ll overtake Steen at proper guard? We’ll see. Hennessy may very well be the highest backup heart. Johnson offers further deal with depth whereas Keegan offers extra guard depth. McMahon might make Hennessy expendable if he actually shines from the leap however it is likely to be greatest to basically redshirt the previous.
DEFENSE
EDGE: Bryce Huff, Josh Sweat, Nolan Smith, Brandon Graham, Jalyx Hunt (5) [30]
Huff has rather a lot to show when it comes to being a full-time participant. The Eagles actually must be proper about him after transferring on from Haason Reddick. There’s additionally numerous stress on Sweat, who pale down the stretch final yr and can be a free agent after this season. Smith is one more participant who higher step up; his success (or lack thereof) may very well be the distinction between the Eagles having a extremely good go rush or not. Throughout my weekly visitor look on Birds 365, John McMullen made an fascinating level concerning the Eagles probably counting on Graham a bit greater than final yr because it’s his final season. Clearly you must take into account how a lot work he can deal with at his age however now’s the time for Graham to empty the tank. Hunt will seemingly be restricted to particular groups responsibility at most.
DT: Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis, Milton Williams, Marlon Tuipulotu, Moro Ojomo (5) [35]
The Eagles have used a six-man DT rotation in current seasons however Vic Fangio’s observe report suggests we’d see much less of that and extra of the starters. Fangio pressured the significance of conditioning with each Carter and Davis. There’s each motive to really feel nice about Carter making a leap in Yr 2 however Davis actually must show he could make an influence. There are high quality rotational depth gamers behind the starters however the Eagles would possibly wish to add one other physique at this spot. And maybe particularly a bigger-bodied nostril deal with kind.
LB: Devin White, Zack Baun, Nakobe Dean, Oren Burks, Jeremiah Trotter Jr. (5) [40]
White and Baun had been largely the first-team linebackers in spring practices. Each of them made some good performs. Dean was principally with the second-team unit; he isn’t merely being handed a beginning job. Burks is an skilled backup who can contribute on particular groups. Trot Jr. might take a while to ultimately develop right into a contributor, similar to T.J. Edwards — who he’s recurrently in comparison with — did. Ben VanSumeren and Brandon Smith are bubble gamers who might make the roster however is likely to be higher bets for the observe squad.
CB: Darius Slay, Isaiah Rodgers, Avonte Maddox, Kelee Ringo, Quinyon Mitchell, Cooper DeJean, Josh Jobe (7) [47]
Slay is beginning, this we all know. In any other case, issues aren’t so settled. Rodgers had a extremely sturdy spring and was first up at first-team cornerback. For now, we’ll say the veteran is the favourite to start out throughout from Slay. Ringo additionally seemed fairly good, so he’s proper within the combine to start out … or at the least be a high quality backup on the skin. Maddox figures to start out within the slot. If Mitchell doesn’t safe the beginning job on the skin, the Eagles might nonetheless look to seek out enjoying time for him (ex: utilizing him as a dime linebacker). DeJean may very well be in an analogous boat when it comes to being a task participant. DeJean may additionally get some returning alternatives. The Eagles like Jobe’s particular groups capability. Tyler Corridor would possibly be capable of sneak on to supply extra nickel depth, which is one thing the Eagles didn’t have sufficient of final yr. Eli Ricks may very well be a commerce candidate. Barring a number of accidents, James Bradberry isn’t making this roster.
S: Reed Blankenship, C.J. Gardner-Johnson, Sydney Brown (3) [50]
I’m bullish on Blankenkship; he’s going to remind individuals why he’s a rightful starter. CJGJ can be locked in as a starter. Brown wasn’t in a position to take part in spring practices; he’s nonetheless making his approach again from his ACL damage. Three safeties is gentle however the Eagles recurrently had Maddox rep at this place throughout OTAs/minicamp. The Eagles might additionally conceivably look to signal a veteran security for extra depth since there are high quality gamers accessible. Eddie Jackson may very well be a slot in that regard.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Ok: Jake Elliott (1) [51]
Elliott is operating unopposed because the Eagles’ kicker.
P: Braden Mann (1) [52]
Mann is operating unopposed because the Eagles’ punter.
LS: Rick Lovato (1) [53]
Mann is operating unopposed because the Eagles’ lengthy snapper.
PRACTICE SQUAD
RB Kendall Milton, WR Jacob Harris, WR Joseph Ngata, TE E.J. Jenkins, OT Anim Dankwah, OG Gottlieb Ayedze, EDGE Julian Okwara, EDGE Patrick Johnson, DT Gabe Corridor, DT PJ Mustipher, LB Ben VanSumeren, LB Brandon Smith, CB Tyler Corridor, DB Mekhi Garner, S Tristin McCollum, S Andre’ Sam
Worldwide exemption: OT Laekin Vakalahi