Before the start of training camp, we published an initial 53-man roster projection. There are a few changes, so let's go ahead an update our projections after the first week of training camp.
Quarterback (3): Jalen Hurts, Kenny Pickett, Tanner McKee
Others (1): Will Grier
There isn't much of a competition for the No. 2 job right now, since McKee just isn't getting very many reps. The only way McKee wins that job is if he crushes it in the preseason games, and Pickett looks like crap. As for who will make the team, lock in these three guys.
Running back (3): Saquon Barkley, Kenny Gainwell, Will Shipley
Others (3): Kendall Milton, Tyrion Davis-Price, Lew Nichols
None of the backs beyond the top three have been impressive. Davis-Price has speed and size, but he couldn't catch a cold.
Wide receiver (6): A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, Britain Covey, Parris Campbell, Ainias Smith, Johnny Wilson
Others (5): John Ross, Joseph Ngata, Austin Watkins Jr., Jacob Harris, Shaquan Davis
Ainias Smith had a bad spring and has had a quiet summer so far, so I considered bumping him in favor of Ross. However, Shelton Gibson had the second worst drafted rookie camp I've ever seen (Clayton Thorson was No. 1), and he still made the team, so if history is any indication Smith should be safe.
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Continue to look for the Eagles to add to their receiver group.
Tight end (4): Dallas Goedert, Grant Calcaterra, C.J. Uzomah, McCallan Castles
Others (2): Albert Okwuegbunam, E.J. Jenkins
Kellen Moore said that Calcaterra is the No. 2 tight end. At a minimum, he should be a near-lock at this point. Castles has flashed on occasion. He can catch and run. He is definitely worth developing. The question is whether the Eagles think they can sneak him through waivers if they cut him. I'll predict that he shows something in the preseason games and the Eagles keep him on the initial 53.
Okwuegbunam hasn't done squat so far.
Offensive line (9): Jordan Mailata, Landon Dickerson, Cam Jurgens, Tyler Steen, Lane Johnson, Mekhi Becton, Trevor Keegan, Dylan McMahon, Fred Johnson
Others (9): Matt Hennessy, Nick Gates, Anim Dankwah, Gottlieb Ayedze, Brett Toth, Darian Kinnard, Jason Poe, Laekin Vakalahi (exempt)
I left Fred Johnson off the last version. That was dumb. They like him, and he's likely going to make the team. Also, if Becton is able to win the starting RG job away from Steen, then Johnson would be the primary swing tackle.
Edge defenders (5): Bryce Huff, Josh Sweat, Brandon Graham, Nolan Smith, Jalyx Hunt
Others (4): Patrick Johnson, Tarron Jackson, Julian Okwara, Terrell Lewis
Johnson, Okwara, and Lewis have all had good moments so far, but not enough to crack the 53, in my opinion. It'll be hard keeping more than five edge rushers.
Interior defensive line (5): Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis, Milton Williams, Marlon Tuipulotu, Moro Ojomo
Others (2): P.J. Mustipher, Gabe Hall, Thomas Booker
Keeping just five interior defensive linemen is a little dicey, but the Eagles could in theory keep a fringe guy on the practice squad for gameday callups when needed, and Graham can play inside on occasion, too.
Linebacker (5): Devin White, Zack Baun, Nakobe Dean, Ben VanSumeren, Jeremiah Trotter
Others (2): Oren Burks, Brandon Smith
VanSumeren has consistently stood out in special teams drills, and has played alongside Dean on the second team defense. Burks has not yet practiced, as he is dealing with a knee injury. "Can't make the club in the tub" doesn't apply to all players, but it does for a guy like Burks.
Cornerback (6): Darius Slay, Isaiah Rodgers, Quinyon Mitchell, Cooper DeJean, Kelee Ringo, Josh Jobe
Others (5): Eli Ricks, Zech McPhearson, Tyler Hall, Shon Stephens, Parry Nickerson
Something I learned from doing roster projections and other related posts? There are some fans who really love Eli Ricks! I do think Ricks is an NFL roster-worthy player, but the Eagles are too deep in the secondary for both him and Jobe to stick, in my opinion. Since Jobe is the better special teams player, Michael Clay gets his way on the final decision between the two.
Safety (4): Chauncey Gardner-Johnson, Reed Blankenship, Sydney Brown, Avonte Maddox
Others (3): James Bradberry, Tristin McCollum, Mekhi Garner, Andre' Sam
I believe Brown will be elevated from the PUP list before final 53-man cutdowns.
We'll also list Maddox here, since the team has so many corners.
Specialists (3): Jake Elliott, Braden Mann, Rick Lovato
Easiest positional groups to predict this year:
- Specialists
- Quarterbacks
- Edge rushers
- Running backs
The rest are tricky.
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