Final Roster Prediction

Training Camp is over. The preseason is over. That means it is time for Howie Roseman and Nick Sirianni to whittle down the roster to 53 players. This initial roster will change a lot because football is such a sport of attrition, but it is always interesting to see who makes the first version of the roster.

Here we go.

QB – 3 – Jalen Hurts, Kenny Pickett, Tanner McKee

The only real question here is about who is #2. Pickett has that role for now.

RB – 3 – Saquon Barkley, Kenny Gainwell, Will Shipley

Barkley is going to be the workhorse. Gainwell will be the primary backup. Shipley is a rookie, but I think he’ll have a role this year. The Eagles have a trio of players behind this group that they like. I think they’ll stick with just three for the roster and then add a couple to the practice squad.

WR – 6 – AJ Brown, DeVonta Smith, Jahan Dotson, Britain Covey, Johnny Wilson, Ainias Smith

Brown and Smith are an elite duo. Dotson gives them the #3 receiver they’ve been looking for all summer (and the past couple of years really). Covey is primarily a returner, but might see more reps at WR this year. Wilson and Smith are players for the future. Wilson could be used in certain situations this season to take advantage of his size (6-6, 231). Smith started slow, but came on late. I think he would be claimed if he were cut.

TE – 3 – Dallas Goedert, Grant Calcaterra, EJ Jenkins

Goedert is the starter. Calcaterra is coming off his best camp and will be #3 this year. Jenkins is the best of the remaining TEs on the roster. The Eagles could cut him and look for another #3 in a trade or through the waiver wire. Jenkins is interesting enough that I think they would be willing to keep him around.

OL – 9 – Jordan Mailata, Landon Dickerson, Cam Jurgens, Mekhi Becton, Lane Johnson, Fred Johnson, Trevor Keegan, Dylan McMahon, Darian Kinnard

With Becton at RG, the starters are set. Things get interesting after that. Fred Johnson is the top backup OT. I have them going young with Keegan and McMahon as interior backups. Kinnard showed enough potential that I think he’s worth keeping around. Brett Toth is a versatile backup. I think they cut him and then put him on the practice squad. Tyler Steen has dealt with an ankle injury for a while so I have him going to IR for the start of the season.

DL – 6 – Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis, Milton Williams, Moro Ojomo, Marlon Tuipulotu, Thomas Booker

The youngest position on the team. All of them are 25 or younger. Ojomo and Tui were expected to be backups. Booker earned his way on with a strong summer, in games and practice.

Edge – 5 – Josh Sweat, Bryce Huff, Brandon Graham, Nolan Smith, Jalyx Hunt

I went with just five at this spot. Patrick Johnson played well enough to make the team, but I don’t think they’ll go heavy at this spot.

LB – 5 – Devin White, Zack Baun, Nakobe Dean, Jeremiah Trotter Jr, Ben VanSumeren

The surprise position. It was a huge question mark two months ago and now looks good. All five guys played well this summer. Oren Burks flashed on Saturday, but there is enough young talent in place that I think he’s better suited to the practice squad. Brandon Smith played well enough to make the team, but I think he’ll get caught in the numbers crunch.

SAF – 4 – CJ Gardner-Johnson, Reed Blankenship, Avonte Maddox, Tristin McCollum

With Sydney Brown going to PUP, there are only three sure things (CJGJ, Blankenship, Maddox). There is an argument for James Bradberry, but the Eagles might prefer the younger, more aggressive player.

CB – 6 – Darius Slay, Kelee Ringo, Quinyon Mitchell, Isaiah Rodgers, Cooper DeJean, Eli Ricks

The first five guys are no-brainers. Then you get to Ricks. Has he done enough to make the team? I think so. Michael Clay would love to keep Josh Jobe around for STs, but he’s a bad DB so I think he’ll get cut.

ST – 3 – Rick Lovato, Braden Mann, Jake Elliott

No questions here.

***

PUP – Sydney Brown

IR – Tyler Steen

*****

The key cuts would be:

RB Tyrion Davis-Price
RB Lew Nichols
RB Kendall Milton
WR Parris Campbell
WR Joe Ngata
OL Brett Toth
OL Nick Gates
DL PJ Mustipher
DL Gabe Hall
Edge Patrick Johnson
Edge Julian Okwara
LB Oren Burks
LB Brandon Smith
S James Bradberry
S Caden Sterns
CB Josh Jobe

I think the majority of  those guys would go unclaimed and could be added to the PS.

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