As the Eagles prepare to begin training camp next week, it’s time to do another 53-man roster projection.
This year, the NFL’s deadline to cut the roster to 53 players is Aug. 27 at 4 p.m. Before that, the Eagles will have several training camp practices, a joint workout with the Patriots and three preseason games.
So things are going to change.
But here’s a good place to start: the latest 53-man roster projection.
Quarterbacks (3): Jalen Hurts, Kenny Pickett, Tanner McKee
Those three seem well-established. Some might wonder if McKee can compete for the No. 2 job, but that seems unlikely. They still view him as a developing quarterback, and Pickett has experience as a starter. The Eagles could take a risk by trying to get rid of McKee and then continue to bring him up from the practice squad as an emergency QB thanks to a rule that allows unlimited elevations for emergency QBs. But the Eagles have invested time in McKee, and it makes more sense to protect him from being poached.
Released: Will Grier
Running backs (3): Saquon Barkley, Kenny Gainwell, Will Shipley
Barkley, Gainwell and Shipley are assured. The question is whether or not the Eagles will choose to keep a fourth as they have in recent years. But if any of the other running backs are able to make this team, they’re in for a breakout summer. For now, the Birds are sticking with three and one or two others on the practice squad.
Out: Tyrion Davis-Price, Lew Nichols II, Kendall Milton
Receivers (6): AJ Brown, DeVonta Smith, Parris Campbell, Britain Covey, Ainias Smith, Johnny Wilson
The last time we had a 53-man projection, DeVante Parker was on the roster. He has since retired. The only two players who have a chance to make the roster are Brown and Smith, but Campbell is the favorite to be the No. 3 pick. For now, the Eagles are holding onto both Day 3 draft picks (Smith and Wilson) and Covey. Some have questioned whether it’s worth keeping Covey if he’s just a punt returner, but he was good enough last season to warrant a full-time roster spot. John Ross is a great story, but he hasn’t played in an NFL game since 2021, so we have to curb all the excitement surrounding him.
Out: John Ross, Joseph Ngata, Austin Watkins Jr., Shaquan Davis, Jacob Harris,
Tight end (3): Dallas Goedert, CJ Uzomah, Grant Calcaterra
Goedert returns for Year 7 as TE1, but his TE2 from the last two years, Jack Stoll, is now in New York with the Giants. Uzomah is a 31-year-old veteran, but he’s the best blocker in the group and makes sense in the 12-man squad. That final spot — if they only keep three — could be between Calcaterra and Albert O. Calcaterra had a good spring, so he’s there for now.
Releases: Albert Okwuegbunam, EJ Jenkins, McCallan Castles
Offensive Line (10): Jordan Mailata, Landon Dickerson, Cam Jurgens, Tyler Steen, Lane Johnson, Mekhi Becton, Matt Hennessy, Trevor Keegan, Dylan McMahon, Fred Johnson
There’s a chance the Eagles won’t keep all 10 of those offensive linemen, but unless the Day 3 picks are really tough on Keegan or McMahon, it makes sense to protect them. Becton is on the team as the sixth offensive lineman and a potential backup at multiple positions. Fred Johnson is the 10th player, but he’s not a complete sure thing, and neither is Hennessy. Also keep an eye on Darian Kinnard this spring.
Out: Max Scharping, Brett Toth, Darian Kinnard, Anim Dankwah, Gottlieb Ayedze, Jason Poe, Lakin Vakalahi
Defensive tackles (5): Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis, Milton Williams, Moro Ojomo, Marlon Tuipulotu
Hall, Baylor’s UDFA, has a chance. But for now, those five seem like the right fit, though the Eagles may continue to monitor that position after the cuts. The top three are secure, but Ojomo and Tuipulotu have good chances to make the roster after them.
Out: PJ Mustipher, Gabe Hall, Thomas Booker
Edge (5): Bryce Huff, Josh Sweat, Brandon Graham, Nolan Smith, Jalyx Hunt
These five players are sure. Huff and Sweat are the starters, Graham and Smith are the top rotation players, and Hunt was a third-round pick. The question is whether or not the Eagles will keep a sixth player. Patrick Johnson was the 54th player on my roster because of his special-teams abilities. He’s hard to cut.
Out: Patrick Johnson, Tarron Jackson, Terrell Lewis, Julian Okwara
Linebackers (5): Devin White, Nakobe Dean, Zack Baun, Jeremiah Trotter Jr., Oren Burks
The last time we did a projection, Baun was listed with the edge rushers, but now, after watching spring practice, he’s listed with the off-ball linebackers. It appears he’s competing with Dean for a starting job. Trotter and Burks are the next backups and will need to contribute on special teams. Could Ben VanSumeren make the team in place of a guy like Burks? Maybe…but Burks’ experience at linebacker could give him an edge at a position the Eagles aren’t very strong at.
Released: Ben VanSumeren, Brandon Smith
Cornerback (7): Darius Slay, Quinyon Mitchell, Cooper DeJean, Kelee Ringo, Isiah Rodgers, Josh Jobe, Eli Ricks
This position is now pretty deep after the Eagles selected Mitchell and DeJean and got Rodgers back from suspension. Not to mention, Ringo and Ricks both had good rookie seasons. Keeping seven cornerbacks (actually eight if you look below) is a lot, so maybe a trade is in order. For now, though, we’re keeping Jobe and Ricks at the bottom of the roster. Jobe is on the team for his ability as a kicker on the punt team.
Out: Zech McPhearson, Parry Nickerson, Tyler Hall, Mario Goodrich, Shon Stephens
Safety (3): CJ Gardner-Johnson, Reed Blankenship, Avonte Maddox
Sydney Brown will be back at some point, but I think he’ll start training camp on the Active/PUP list, which would open the door for him to start the season on the Reserve/PUP list. That would mean he’d miss the first four games. We’ll see if he’s able to return before that this summer. We have Maddox on the roster with the safeties behind the two starters because he has that positional flexibility. Bradberry was working with the safeties this spring even though we didn’t get to see him. Maybe he’ll stay on the roster, but I still don’t think he’ll be there. A guy like Mekhi Garner or Tristin McCollum could make a push for a roster spot, but that’s a position where Howie Roseman may not be quite finished.
PUPPY: Sydney Brown
Out: James Bradberry, Mekhi Garner, Andre’ Sam, Tristin McCollum
Specialists (3): Jake Elliott, Braden Mann, Rick Lovato
These guys are solid this year. All three got contract extensions after good years in 2023 and will have the chance to continue working together.
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