What Can We Learn?

The Eagles final preseason game is Thursday night. The starters definitely won’t play. Key backups won’t play.

Usually there are a few key roster battles that are still active. It doesn’t feel like there are as many battles this year.

QB

The Eagles will keep three. If they don’t deal Nate Sudfeld, then Clayton Thorson is headed to the practice squad. I think he would have to play out of his mind for the Eagles to keep four QBs. Doesn’t seem likely. Hopefully he plays a lot and Cody Kessler guards the bench.

RB

The top four will be Howard-Sanders-Clement-Sproles (in some order). The Eagles could keep a fifth. Wendell Smallwood can return kicks, play on STs and has been productive. Josh Adams is bigger, younger and has more upside. He’s not a RS and isn’t a proven part of the passing game. Those guys need to impress the coaches to help their cause.

WR

Greg Ward could be the #6 receiver. He’s played well in recent weeks. Has he done enough? Carlton Agudosi and Marken Michel have both had impressive moments, but I haven’t seen enough to make the coaches want them for the roster. Maybe they’ve been better in practice. Feels like Ward is the only one here who has a realistic chance.

TE

I think Josh Perkins will be the #3 TE. I think Alex Ellis could play his way onto the practice squad. Will Tye just hasn’t stood out this summer.

OL

The coaches have shown a lot of interest in Nate Herbig and I’m guessing he plays a lot vs the Jets. I just haven’t seen enough to think he makes the roster. It will be interesting to see Brett Toth in action. Does he show enough to warrant a PS spot?

I’m interested to see if Jordan Mailata plays. He’s had a bad lower back. Mailata needs every snap possible in the summer, but you don’t want him to hurt his back worse. He also wouldn’t be very effective with a bad back.

DL

I think the top 10 guys are set. Shareef Miller is the man on the outside. If he were to play well enough, the Eagles could consider keeping 11 DL. I am curious to see if Daeshon Hall plays. I would sit him out, unless needed due to injury.

LB

T.J. Edwards has a chance to make the team. With Nigel Bradham on the mend and Kamu Grugier-Hill still a few weeks away, the Eagles might decide going heavy at LB is the way to go.

S

The release of Tre Sullivan opens up a spot for Rudy Ford, who will make his Eagles debut. Watch him on defense and STs. Deiondre’ Hall is still in the mix for a roster spot, but I think he’s got an uphill battle.

CB

I don’t see any of the backups making a roster push. The coaches already know what they think of Orlando Scandrick. I’ve been disappointed by him in games, but the coaches see him every day in practice and have years of game tape.

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