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.

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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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Eagles Lose Thrilling Preseason Classic

I lied. The Eagles stunk and today’s preseason finale was the very opposite of thrilling. If you have insomnia, I highly suggest you make sure you give it a watch or two.

The good news is that there weren’t any major injuries. The Eagles didn’t have any starters out there, but some of the guys who did play could be key reserves this season. Coming out healthy means the day was an overall success.

The level of play was a far different story. The Eagles made key mistake after key mistake and that limited their effectiveness.

• Cooper DeJean had an illegal contact that wiped out an INT. That drive ended in a TD.
• EJ Jenkins had a poor block that led to a stop on 4th down that killed a drive.
• Joe Ngata dropped a 3rd down pass in the red zone.
• Ngata later had a pass bounce off his hands and get picked off…again in the red zone.
• There were multiple missed tackles.
• TE Armani Rogers didn’t block well on a pass play and that led to a strip sack.
• Pass coverage was an issue for a lot of the game. Too many receivers were wide open.

This was a 26-3 loss and a sloppy performance, but it wasn’t all doom ‘n gloom. There were some guys who helped themselves.

S Tristin McCollum led the team with 9 tackles and broke up a pass. He is making a push for the roster, but I don’t know if it will be enough.

LB Brandon Smith had 3 tackles. He was tough and physical. He made good reads. He’s really helped himself this summer.

RB Tyrion Davis-Price was 12-56 and looked good. Unfortunately that was somewhat offset by a fumble. He is RB4. Will that get him a roster spot?

RT Darrian Kinnard had some impressive blocks. He’s still a work-in-progress, but his size and potential may be enough for him to stick.

LB Ben VanSumeren had 6 tackles and a sack. He read plays quickly and attacked upfield. He broked up a pass on one play and just missed a TFL on another. He was held, but got no call. That was a terrible miss by the officials. VanSumeren was an athlete last year. He is playing like a LB this year.

Cooper DeJean was up and down. He was physical. He tackled well. DeJean had some issues in coverage and just missed giving up 2 TDs. The receiver couldn’t get the second foot down on both. We knew DeJean would be a bit rusty so I’m focused more on the positives.

Oren Burks played in his first preseason game. He had 6 tackles and a sack. The problem is that he’s a veteran going up against second and third stringers. He should look good. Burks had a chance for a TFL, but missed the tackle.

Julian Okwara had a sack and was disruptive. He could be of interest to other teams who want depth at Edge.

Nolan Smith played a lot. That’s not a great sign for a first round pick in Year 2. Smith needed the reps. The coaches wanted to see him in action. I also think this was their way of sending him a message. Smith is making this team, but he needs to play better.

Ainias Smith was 6-36 as a receiver. He was 1-14 as a PR. I think his late surge will prove to be enough to get him on the roster.

Kenny Pickett played his best game of the summer. He was 6-9-58. Pickett was more confident and more decisive. I don’t think Jalen Hurts needs to be nervous about losing his job, but it was good to see Pickett improve.

Tanner McKee did not have a good game. He was 13-21-115. Those numbers are okay, but McKee didn’t have the same vibe that he normally does. He didn’t looked poised and in command. He had a 35-yard pass play to Griffin Herbert. The ball was underthrown. Herbert made an impressive catch and then ran down the sideline. McKee scrambled on a 4th down play and came up just short of the sticks. You like to see him mix in the run, but he had room and has to make sure he secures the first down.

I’m sure there is a part of Nick Sirianni that is happy about the loss. He can use this to lecture the team about the need to play better and eliminate mistakes. Being undefeated in the preseason doesn’t mean a thing. The loss can be a tool for the coaches.

The starters sat this game out. Key backups as well. Sirianni said he is confident that the starters will be ready for the Packers in a couple of weeks. I don’t think it is a big deal either way. Different coaches have different methods. There isn’t one that works all the time. The coach needs to figure out what is right for his team.

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