This Eagles 53-man roster projection isn’t about wishful thinking or fan favorites. It’s about roster philosophy, positional value, and the tough calls that will shape September and beyond. Some jobs were earned in camp. Others were secured months ago by contract and pedigree. But the bottom line is the same: the Eagles are chasing a Lombardi, and this 53-man roster is the foundation of that pursuit.
Quarterback (3)
Jalen Hurts
Sam Howell
Tanner McKee*
Hurts is the face and the undisputed QB1 of the franchise. McKee continues to show that he is one of the best backup QBs in the league, but a recent finger injury that was deemed serious enough for the Eagles to trade for the services of Sam Howell, likely mean he'll miss some time and potentially start the season on IR. If that does happen, we don't know if the Eagles will look to keep Kyle McCord on the roster to ensure he doesn't slip through their fingers on waivers.
Running Back (3)
Saquon Barkley
Will Shipley
A.J. Dillon
Barkley’s explosiveness will headline this backfield, but don’t overlook the other two backs. Shipley could be the do-it-all chess piece, and Dillon offers north-south thunder to close games out behind this line. Three’s enough when your RB1 is a workhorse.
ShunDerrick Powell has played well enough to lock up a spot on the PS.
Fullback (1)
Ben VanSumeren
H-back duties, and third-and-short trench work.
Wide Receiver (5)
A.J. Brown
DeVonta Smith
Jahan Dotson
John Metchie III
Darius Cooper
Ainias Smith is the wild card, and releasing him could challenge the Eagles as to who will return punts. But has he done enough to earn a spot as a 6th wideout? That's debatable. The injury to Johnny Wilson does open up another spot, but John Metchie III appears to be pencilled in, leaving a likely decision between underdog Darius Cooper, and a second-year wideout who's yet to really find his footing despite the occasional flash.
Tight End (3)
Dallas Goedert
Grant Calcaterra
Kylen Granson
Losing Johnny Wilson and his blocking at WR likely changes things up for the Eagles and forces their hand to go with 3 Tight Ends on the initial 53.
Offensive Line (10)
Jordan Mailata
Landon Dickerson
Cam Jurgens
Tyler Steen
Lane Johnson
Matt Pryor
Drew Kendall
Myles Hinton
Darian Kennard
Cameron Williams
Jeff Stoutland gets his usual war chest. The starting five is elite. Pryor’s return brings experience and competition. Ten deep and no weak link. Toth, who has had a lot of first-team reps since Dickerson’s injury, versus Cameron Williams was the hardest decision for me. Their estimation of Landon Dickerson’s return likely dictates that decision. Losing Williams would be tough, and I would be surprised to see them risk it.
Defensive Tackle (6)
Jalen Carter
Jordan Davis
Moro Ojomo
Ty Robinson
Gabe Hall
Byron Young
Carter is a star and a potential all-pro. Davis is in great shape and ready to wreck the pocket. Ojomo flashed last year and is ready for more snaps. Robinson’s power pairs well in the inside, and Gabe Hall moves into the spot left behind by Thomas Booker IV. Byron Young has also earned his spot this summer.
Edge Rusher (5)
Nolan Smith
Jalyx Hunt
Josh Uche
Azeez Ojulari
Antwaun Powell-Ryland
APR was a sixth-round pick and was unlikely to make it to the PS. The Eagles can get creative here and release Patrick Johnson, who is deserving of a roster spot, and use his vested veteran status to sign him to the practice squad without losing him. They can shuffle the roster around at that point to bring him to the 53.
This room has become younger and more explosive. Smith takes the next step, and Hunt should push for the second-most snaps from this group. Uche fits perfectly in pressure packages. Azeez turned it on late in camp, and the Eagles hope he continues that rise once the season starts.
Ogbo Okoronkwo has shown enough to be on the PS, and was a harder cut for me to make than many others, but special teams decided how I envision the final 53-man roster.
Linebacker (4)
Zack Baun
Jihaad Campbell
Jeremiah Trotter Jr.
Smael Mondon Jr.
Speed and youth over volume here, but the room is trending in the right direction even without Dean to start the season.
PUP Nakobe Dean
Cornerback (6)
Quinyon Mitchell
Cooper DeJean
Jakorian Bennett
Kelee Ringo
Adoree’ Jackson
Mac McWilliams
Mitchell and DeJean headline a new era of the Eagles’ ‘no fly zone’. Ringo versus Jackson did not have a clear winner taking the lead, and possibly neither may have shown what Fangio was looking for, which may lead to Jakorian Bennett as a starter. Mac McWilliams has turned heads at camp, and his inside-outside flexibility makes him an intriguing prospect. Eli Ricks fought hard to make the 53, and should get interest around the league.
Safety (4)
Reed Blankenship
Andrew Mukuba
Sydney Brown
Tristin McCollum
Tristin and Andre Sam are core special teamers, but I am giving the edge to McCollum, and he is younger. I am rolling the dice that Sam finds his way to the Eagles PS. The new look room is built on range and athleticism. Mukuba was born to play in this Fangio defense, while Sydney Brown is the heat-seeking missile to bring the pain. Blankenship offers excellent play and stability, while also having a nose for diving interceptions a couple of times a season to close out games.
Specialists (3)
K Jake Elliott
P Braden Mann
LS Charley Hughlett
Elliott is the steady leg for his ninth season in Philly, and Mann is the directional punting savant. Hughlett replaces Lovato, bringing over 150 games of experience.
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Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
