Analyzing the Roster

Posted: August 24th, 2021 | Author: | Filed under: Philadelphia Eagles | 4 Comments »

Training Camp is winding down so let’s take a look at the Eagles roster and discuss some of the players and position groups. There is some high end talent, some ascending players and also more than a few question marks.

QB

Jalen Hurts and Joe Flacco are locks to make the roster. Nick Mullens can’t seriously be considered after his performance this summer. We can talk about looking for an upgrade on Flacco, but the organization seems to like him so I think the team will stick with him and Hurts for now.

RB

Miles Sanders will be the starter. Boston Scott will be the key backup. Rookie Kenny Gainwell will be a role player, as both a runner and pass catcher.

The Eagles are going to keep a fourth RB. Most likely that will be Jordan Howard. He’s a veteran and has some size, which the other runners don’t. From that sense, Howard would be a good move. I do hope the team looks around to see who has been cut and if there is a better option available.

There was some thought that Jason Huntley might make it because of his speed, but he hasn’t shown enough as a RB to stay. Keeping him as a KOR would be a luxury move at this point. Elijah Holyfield just hasn’t done enough to warrant serious consideration.

WR

We know DeVonta Smith, Jalen Reagor and Quez Watkins will all make the team. Things are wide open after that.

Travis Fulgham had a great month in the 2020 season, but hasn’t been the same player since. I hope they keep him around to see if the light can go back on. He showed that he’s got the talent. He’s just struggled to perform this summer.

Greg Ward has continued to do everything possible to make the team, but he has no upside and he’s purely a slot receiver. You want to keep him because he’s the kind of person you want to keep around to build good culture. He also can be an emergency QB and STer. That might be enough for him to stay.

J.J. Arcega-Whiteside has had a solid camp, but hasn’t done anything in the preseason games. I’m sure the Eagles want to keep him to see if he can finally do something, even if only as a role player.

John Hightower needs time on the practice squad. He has legit NFL speed, but needs work on his overall game.

The Eagles need to be scanning the waiver wire to see if there is a young player they want to add to this mix. That guy could make Fulgham, Ward or JJAW expendable.

TE

Dallas Goedert and Richard Rodgers will make the team. Rodgers might get cut for a day or two if the organization is shuffling the roster to protect a player…like Tyree Jackson. The Eagles don’t want to put him on IR now and lose him for the season. Jackson would need to make the roster and then go on short-term IR. That could lead to Rodgers being cut for a day or two.

I still think Zach Ertz gets dealt, but I feel more open to him returning. Ertz has had a good summer and looks like he put the misery of 2020 behind him. Will a contender finally make a decent offer?

OL

The starters are set with Mailata-Seumalo-Kelce-Brooks-Johnson. After that, things get interesting.

Jack Driscoll is a lock because he can take over at RT if needed. He’s worked at OG this summer and could play there, but OT seems more natural right now.

Nate Herbig looked good at OG last year. He’s played mostly C this summer and has struggled a bit. He probably makes it because of his versatility, price and youth.

No one knows what is up with Andre Dillard. He is getting closer to getting back on the field. The Eagles could keep him as a backup LT or trade him. This is a bit of a mystery.

Sua Opeta and Brett Toth both have a legit chance to make the team. I like Toth better, especially since he has potential as a LT. Opeta is purely an OG.

Landon Dickerson seems headed for the PUP list. That would keep him out until about midseason.

Le’Raven Clark is a mystery man. He just returned to practice. He would make sense if the team trades Dillard.

I cannot see a realistic way that Matt Pryor makes this roster. My sanity won’t allow it.

DE

The top group of Graham, Barnett, Sweat and Kerrigan are all set. Rookie Milton Williams will play DE and DT. Those are your five guys.

Tarron Jackson is worth the practice squad, but I can’t see him making the roster.

DT

Cox and Hargrave are a terrific 1-2 punch. T.Y. McGill has played well this summer and should have secured a spot. Hassan Ridgeway has been okay. He hasn’t stood out in any way. I’m guessing he makes it, but the Eagles will keep their eyes open to see if anyone better gets cut.

I cannot see Raequan Williams having a legit shot at the roster. Love the effort, but he’s not stout enough to be good vs the run and he’s too limited to be a good rusher. Williams is better than rookie Marlon Tuipulotu, but that is setting the bar amazingly low (like calling someone the sexiest Lawlor).

DT is a spot where the Eagles need to keep their eyes wide open. The starters are good, but depth could be an issue.

LB

How shocking is it to look at LB and not hate what you see? These are crazy days.

We know Wilson, Singleton, Edwards and Taylor will all make it. I think the team should keep a pair of SAMs in Avery and Patrick Johnson.

I think Shaun Bradley and JaCoby Stevens could make it. That would give the Eagles eight LBs. How nuts is that? Probably not likely.

I could see Stevens getting cut and put on the practice squad. He’s been hurt much of the summer and lasted until the 6th round in April’s draft so it wasn’t like teams were hot on his trail.

Please send Rashad Smith to Mars. Joe Ostman might be worth keeping on the practice squad. Other players have talked about how good he can be in practice. There is value in that.

S

It feels like Rodney McLeod will stay off PUP and will make the roster. Anthony Harris will certainly make it. K’Von Wallace will make the roster. We just have to hope he stays healthy.

That could leave the Eagles will two more safety spots. I would go with Marcus Epps and Elijah Riley at this point. Epps has more experience and probably more upside, but Riley could develop into a good role player (especially on STs).

Andrew Adams has been disappointing.

Blake Countess is like the caretaker on The Shining. He will always be here. Or maybe it just feels that way.

CB

There are four players worth keeping…Slay, Nelson, Maddox and McPhearson.

Josiah Scott has had his moments, but he’s purely a slot guy and that has to hurt his value. He could make it, but that wouldn’t be ideal.

I don’t think we’ve seen enough of Craig James, Michael Jacquet or Kevon Seymour to be comfortable with any of them. This is another spot where I would be closely watching the waiver wire.

ST

Arryn Siposs will be the punter, Rick Lovato will be your snapper and Jake Elliott will be the kicker.

No one is good enough to earn a role purely as a returner.

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4 Comments on “Analyzing the Roster”

  1. 1 Eagles News: Andre Dillard ranked as Philadelphia’s worst summer performer | Sports News Index said at 8:10 AM on August 24th, 2021:

    […] Analyzing the Roster – Iggles BlitzWe know DeVonta Smith, Jalen Reagor and Quez Watkins will all make the team. Things are wide open after that. Travis Fulgham had a great month in the 2020 season, but hasn’t been the same player since. I hope they keep him around to see if the light can go back on. He showed that he’s got the talent. He’s just struggled to perform this summer. Greg Ward has continued to do everything possible to make the team, but he has no upside and he’s purely a slot receiver. You want… […]

  2. 2 The Linc – Andre Dillard ranked as the Eagles’ worst summer performer – Therapy Box said at 8:18 AM on August 24th, 2021:

    […] Analyzing the Roster – Iggles BlitzWe know DeVonta Smith, Jalen Reagor and Quez Watkins will all make the team. Things are wide open after that. Travis Fulgham had a great month in the 2020 season, but hasn’t been the same player since. I hope they keep him around to see if the light can go back on. He showed that he’s got the talent. He’s just struggled to perform this summer. Greg Ward has continued to do everything possible to make the team, but he has no upside and he’s purely a slot receiver. You want to keep him because he’s the kind of person you want to keep around to build good culture. He also can be an emergency QB and STer. That might be enough for him to stay. J.J. Arcega-Whiteside has had a solid camp, but hasn’t done anything in the preseason games. I’m sure the Eagles want to keep him to see if he can finally do something, even if only as a role player. […]

  3. 3 Eagles News: Andre Dillard ranked as Philadelphia’s worst summer performer - Bleeding Green Nation - News Online said at 9:23 AM on August 24th, 2021:

    […] Analyzing the Roster – Iggles BlitzWe know DeVonta Smith, Jalen Reagor and Quez Watkins will all make the team. Things are wide open after that. Travis Fulgham had a great month in the 2020 season, but hasn’t been the same player since. I hope they keep him around to see if the light can go back on. He showed that he’s got the talent. He’s just struggled to perform this summer. Greg Ward has continued to do everything possible to make the team, but he has no upside and he’s purely a slot receiver. You want to keep him because he’s the kind of person you want to keep around to build good culture. He also can be an emergency QB and STer. That might be enough for him to stay. J.J. Arcega-Whiteside has had a solid camp, but hasn’t done anything in the preseason games. I’m sure the Eagles want to keep him to see if he can finally do something, even if only as a role player. […]

  4. 4 Eagles News: Andre Dillard ranked as Philadelphia’s worst summer performer – Bleeding Green Nation – Eye News said at 9:33 AM on August 24th, 2021:

    […] Analyzing the Roster – Iggles BlitzWe know DeVonta Smith, Jalen Reagor and Quez Watkins will all make the team. Things are wide open after that. Travis Fulgham had a great month in the 2020 season, but hasn’t been the same player since. I hope they keep him around to see if the light can go back on. He showed that he’s got the talent. He’s just struggled to perform this summer. Greg Ward has continued to do everything possible to make the team, but he has no upside and he’s purely a slot receiver. You want to keep him because he’s the kind of person you want to keep around to build good culture. He also can be an emergency QB and STer. That might be enough for him to stay. J.J. Arcega-Whiteside has had a solid camp, but hasn’t done anything in the preseason games. I’m sure the Eagles want to keep him to see if he can finally do something, even if only as a role player. […]