With the Eagles’ preseason schedule now thankfully over, Philadelphia is focused on trimming its roster down to the regular season limit of 53 players before the 4 p.m. Eastern Time deadline on Tuesday, August 27. Here’s our attempt to predict what the ORIGINAL 53 will look like. Note that the Birds will likely make some adjustments (placements on injured reserve, transfers, waivers) before actually playing against the Green Bay Packers in Week 1. Also note that this activity is about predicting how the Eagles will do, contrary to what we think they should Do.
ATTACK
QB: Jalen Hurts, Kenny Pickett, Tanner McKee (3) (3)
Hurts is coming off the strongest training camp of his career. Pickett hasn’t done much to inspire confidence…but he has real game experience, so that’s something. McKee should have been given a bigger chance to get the QB2 job, but he hasn’t played to his limited opportunities. Will Grier could return to the practice squad or maybe even join the coaching staff.
From: Will Grier
Running Back: Saquon Barkley, Kenny Gainwell, Will Shipley (3) (6)
Barkley had a relatively quiet summer, but he will see a lot of touches this year. Gainwell finished training camp strong and cemented his status as the RB2. Shipley will likely see occasional action. Tyrion Davis-Price ran hard in the preseason, but ball security issues (both drops and fumbles) have plagued him since spring training, making him unreliable. The Eagles should be able to get away with keeping RB4 on the practice squad.
From: Tyrion Davis-Price, Lew Nichols, Kendall Milton
WR: AJ Brown, DeVonta Smith, Jahan Dotson, Britain Covey, Johnny Wilson, Ainias Smith (6) (12)
AJ and DeVonta look as good as ever. Dotson is clearly here as a WR3. Covey is a solid WR4 who can contribute as a possession player in addition to returning punts. Wilson’s ability to make big plays is intriguing, but his reputation has taken a hit after adversity and a concussion that caused him to miss. Smith has done enough to rebound from a really rocky start to training camp; Howie Roseman won’t want to give up on a draft pick anytime soon. Keeping a veteran like Parris Campbell or John Ross on the practice squad for depth makes sense for the team. Joseph Ngata looked good in the second preseason game, but really struggled in 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 few workouts where he really stood out, and then a bunch where he didn’t stand out at all. Calcaterra stepped up to earn the TE2 job. The Eagles will look to add a third tight end (and maybe even a fourth?) after originally being cut to 53. That could mean bringing back EJ Jenkins if he passes the waivers list. Jenkins had a good summer, but he was unsigned for most of last season, which could indicate he’s not exactly in high demand. Keep an eye on a potential Jack Stoll reunion, as he doesn’t seem to be in a good position to make the Giants’ roster. Albert O has basically done nothing since the Eagles signed him this time last year, and he doesn’t play on special teams.
OUT: EJ 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 starting offensive line is set as Becton won the competition for right guard. Steen’s recovery timeline is unclear; perhaps the Eagles will new mechanics for the injured reserve put him on the injured list to prevent a roster spot from being used for him and still keep him eligible to return this season? Keegan could also be a candidate in that regard, as he was injured in practice last week and is behind other veterans in the rankings. Steen could be the Eagles’ swing tackle if he’s healthy… until then, it’s Fred Johnson. Jeff Stoutland seems to really like him, Brett Toth. McMahon has done enough to make the team. Darian Kinnard was a tough decision, as the Eagles seem to like him a little, but he should be able to return to the practice squad. Matt Hennessy and/or Nick Gates could also provide experienced depth on the practice 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 will be interesting to see how Huff handles his transition to being a full-time player. Sweat is entering a contract year; this is a great opportunity to prove himself again. BG seems to have gas left in the tank; he will finish his career strong. Smith playing so much in the final game of the season was not a very encouraging sign of how the coaching staff views him. If he’s considered an integral part of their pass rush rotation this year, why would he play in a meaningless game when so many others aren’t? Hunt seems ready to contribute sooner than expected. Johnson isn’t a sure thing, but he had a good summer and can help out on special teams. Bringing Julian Okwara back to the practice squad would be ideal, but he could end up with a new team.
From: 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 make a big move this year. If the Eagles don’t extend Williams’ contract soon, he’ll cash in even more after a strong season (whether in Philly or elsewhere). The Eagles like Tuipulotu as a rotation player. Ojomo had a good summer and seems ready to make a jump in year two. Leaving Thomas Booker IV out here was tough, but it’s not like teams were itching to sign him off the Eagles’ practice squad last year, so maybe he could make it back. Booker IV and/or PJ Mustipher could be good to be on the practice squad for even more DT depth.
From: 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 expected to be in the starting lineup in Week 1, but “in the starting lineup” might not be the best way to describe the importance of the position. It’s quite possible that Nakobe Dean will play more snaps than at least one of them even if he’s not in the starting lineup; there could be a rotation of linebackers. JTJ will push for playing time as the year progresses. BVS looked good on both defense and special teams; there’s no reason to put him on the waivers list. Oren Burks looked strong in the final preseason game, but 1) should he look good as a veteran against young backups and 2) do teams really want to guarantee his 2024 salary by keeping him on the roster for Week 1? Brandon Smith would have made the roster in years past when the Eagles were worse at the linebacker position. Smith should be back on the practice squad.
From: Oren Burks, Brandon Smith
Center backs: Darius Slay, Isaiah Rodgers, Quinyon Mitchell, Kelee Ringo, Cooper DeJean (5) (45)
Slay is the starter. He doesn’t look like he fell off a cliff despite being one of the oldest cornerbacks in the NFL. Rodgers seems ready to start on the outside opposite Slay, but it could actually be Mitchell who fills that role in base defense. Rodgers could play outside if Mitchell moves inside to the slot. Ringo could eventually overtake Rodgers, but for now he’s a backup. DeJean may not be ready to play right away after missing so much time over the summer; he looked rusty in the last preseason game, which is to be expected. Eli Ricks could very well make the roster, but he didn’t have a great summer and isn’t the most helpful special teams player. I could see Ricks staying on the original roster and then getting traded, so I might be kicked for not expecting the Eagles to keep him at least temporarily. Josh Jobe is good on special teams, but struggles as a defender, as Vic Fangio himself admits (he said Jobe was too greedy, which led to penalties). Parry Nickerson could be an experienced backup for the practice squad.
From: Eli Ricks, Josh Jobe, Parry Nickerson, Zech McPhearson, Shon Stephens
S: Reed Blankenship, CJ Gardner-Johnson, James Bradberry, Avonte Maddox, Tristin McCollum (5) (50)
Aside from Blankenship and CJGJ as obvious starters, I’m not comfortable with that prediction. I wasn’t sure the Eagles would keep Bradberry, as he’s not even a surefire depth option and offers no value on special teams. But I believe they would have released him by now to help him get a place with another team if they were willing to give him up? I wouldn’t keep Bradberry if it were up to me. Maddox provides depth as both a safety and nickel corner. McCollum realistically couldn’t have done much more to make the team; he deserves to be on the roster, and the Eagles may not want to risk losing him. Caden Sterns seems like a prime candidate for the new injured reserve, where the Eagles can put him on the injured list to get him to 53 and still designate him for a return at some point this season.
From: Caden Sterns, Andre’ Sam
SPECIAL TEAMS
K: Jake Elliott (1) (51)
Elliott is the Eagles’ kicker. It’s nice to see him making all of his kicks since missing two in the first preseason game.
P: Braden Mann (1) (52)
Mann is the Eagles’ punter.
LS: Rick Lovato (1) (53)
Lovato is the Eagles’ long snapper.
INJURY DESCRIPTION
RESERVE/PUPPY – PHYSICALLY UNABLE: Sydney Brown
At this point, keeping Brown on the PUP list to start the season makes the most sense. Why bring him back in so quickly after he missed all of training camp and every preseason game? If Brown is placed on the reserve/PUP list, he will be ineligible to play in the Eagles’ first four games. And then the team will have a bye in Week 5, so Brown won’t make his 2024 debut until Week 6 (October 13) at the earliest. Fittingly, Brown could play against the Browns.
INJURED RESERVE
As mentioned above, the Eagles can use a new IR mechanic to put up to two players on the IR before reduced to 53 and they are still eligible to play in 2024. Caden Sterns seems to be suitable for that. Maybe Steen or Keegan for the other spot? We’ll see.
TRAINING TEAM
QB Will Grier, RB Tyrion Davis-Price, 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 PJ Mustipher, LB Oren Burks , LB Brandon Smith, CB Josh Jobe, S Caden Sterns, S Andre’ Sam
International exception: OT Laekin Vakalahi
