The Eagles had 16 training camp practices and three preseason games so it’s time to make some tough decisions.
The 90-man roster must be trimmed to 53 players by Tuesday’s 4 p.m. deadline.
Here’s my final 53-man roster projection for 2024:
Stay in the game with the latest updates on your beloved Philadelphia sports teams! Sign up here for our All Access Daily newsletter.
Quarterback (3): Jalen Hurts, Kenny Pickett, Tanner McKee
These three have never really been in question. You can certainly argue if McKee has outplayed Pickett and deserves to be the No. 2. If Hurts stays healthy, we might never really get to see this tested. But all three should be on the roster.
Out: Will Grier
Running back (3): Saquon Barkley, Kenny Gainwell, Will Shipley
News
Could the Eagles elect to keep one of their bigger-body running backs? Maybe. But none of them have really separated from the group and the Eagles will definitely keep these top three. Barkley is going to be the bell cow but Gainwell and Shipley will have roles.
Out: Tyrion Davis-Price, Kendall Milton, Lew Nichols
Receiver (6): A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, Jahan Dotson, Britain Covey, Johnny Wilson, Ainias Smith
The Eagles finally found their third receiver when they traded for Dotson on Thursday. That was bad news for the other veterans trying to make the team. Smith was a tricky one because he struggled for most of the summer but he finished strong and you know Howie Roseman really doesn’t want to cut a fifth-round pick.
Out: Austin Watkins, Jacob Harris, Griffin Hebert, Parris Campbell, John Ross, Joseph Ngata
Tight end (3): Dallas Goedert, Grant Calcaterra, E.J. Jenkins
The Eagles could opt to keep just the top two tight ends and then scour the waiver wire for their third. It seems like Jack Stoll might shake free from the Giants, so that’s certainly a possibility. But Jenkins has been the third-best tight end on the team all summer and he deserves a roster spot so even if the Eagles don’t give it to him, I will.
Out: Kevin Foelsch, Armani Rogers, Albert Okwuegbunam
Offensive line (9): Jordan Mailata, Landon Dickerson, Cam Jurgens, Mekhi Becton, Lane Johnson, Tyler Steen, Fred Johnson, Trevor Keegan, Dylan McMahon
It wasn’t easy to figure out the back end of the roster on the offensive line this year. A guy like Brett Toth or Darian Kinnard or even Nick Gates could possibly make the team. But I don’t think they need to be on the 53. The Eagles can probably get a couple of them to the practice squad.
Out: Max Scharping, Jason Poe, Nick Gates, Brett Toth, Gottlieb Ayedze, Laekin Vakalahi, Darian Kinnard, Matt Hennessy, Anim Dankwah
Defensive tackle (5): Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis, Milton Williams, Marlon Tuipulotu, Moro Ojomo
These five feel pretty safe and the top three are locks. It was tough to cut Thomas Booker IV. He had a really good training camp and preseason and maybe he deserves to make it on merit but he was one of my final cuts. If the Eagles want a prototypical nose tackle backup, P.J. Mustipher has a shot but I don’t think they really need that.
Out: Thomas Booker, P.J. Mustipher, Gabe Hall
Edge (6): Josh Sweat, Bryce Huff, Brandon Graham, Nolan Smith, Jalyx Hunt, Patrick Johnson
The top five are locks. Even if Hunt isn’t ready to contribute in a major way on defense as a rookie, he was a third-round pick and looked good this summer. The sixth spot goes to Johnson, who earned his place this summer to make the roster for his fourth straight year. Johnson flashes on defense and is a great special teamer.
Out: Tarron Jackson, Terrell Lewis, Julian Okwara
Linebacker (5): Devin White, Nakobe Dean, Zack Baun, Jeremiah Trotter Jr., Ben VanSumeren
Even with a really good final preseason game, I still have Oren Burks as the odd man out. The top four feel very safe and Ben VanSumeren had a good summer, played well in the preseason and is younger than Burks. He makes the team as a major special teams contributor.
Out: Oren Burks, Brandon Smith
Cornerback (6): Darius Slay, Quinyon Mitchell, Isaiah Rodgers, Kelee Ringo, Cooper DeJean, Eli Ricks
The Eagles could cut Ricks but it just doesn’t make sense to me to get rid of a young and promising cornerback even if the numbers make it tough. The difficult part here is keeping Ricks over Josh Jobe, who has been a dynamic gunner. But if Rodgers ends up being the other outside corner, then that frees up Ringo to be the top gunner on the punt team.
Out: Zech McPhearson, Josh Jobe, Parry Nickerson, Shon Stephens
Safety (4): C.J. Gardner-Johnson, Reed Blankenship, Avonte Maddox, Tristin McCollum
This is a position where the Eagles have been light all summer. The top two are starters and Maddox was basically a full-time safety by the end of camp. He’s worth keeping for his versatility. McCollum was one of the last guys on the roster. He had a better summer than the other backup safeties and can help on special teams. Caden Sterns was never healthy, so he’s a good candidate for IR. Sydney Brown will likely start the season on PUP. James Bradberry didn’t play in the final preseason game; some took that as a sign that he made the roster but I don’t see it that way. I don’t think he’ll be on the team.
PUP: Sydney Brown
Out: James Bradberry, Andre’ Sam, Caden Sterns
Specialists (3): Jake Elliott, Braden Mann, Rick Lovato
The Eagles made sure to lock up all their specialists this offseason. These three work really well together. I don’t see the Eagles playing that game this year with Lovato where they cut him to save a space and bring him back.
Subscribe to Eagle Eye anywhere you get your podcasts:
Apple Podcasts | YouTube Music | Spotify | Stitcher | Art19 | RSS | Watch on YouTube