The Eagles spring workout program is in the books and as we hold our breath for Training Camp, here's a look at some of the players currently standing on the edge of the 53-man roster fence.
QB: Clayton Thorson
It's safe to say that at this stage in the offseason, Northwestern's Clayton Thorson is at the bottom of the QB pecking order. The Eagles drafted Thorson in the fifth-round in an effort to resume their almost cyclical drafting of signal callers, but Spring hasn't exactly been kind.
Cody Kessler and Nate Sudfeld are performing at a very similar level behind $128M man Carson Wentz, leaving Thorson with a lot of ground to make up. Would the Eagles risk exposing him to waivers in order to assign him to the practice squad? It's probably too soon to say...but it's a possibility barring a strong improvement that forces the team to keep him on the 53, instead parting ways with Kessler.
RB: Wendell Smallwood
The Eagles backfield is littered with questions again. Miles Sanders is still out with injury and behind Jordan Howard, we can expect a whirlwind battle. But Corey Clement and Boston Scott excel in specific niches, while Wendell Smallwood is more of a jack-of-all-trades who struggles to stand out from the pack. Now in his contract year, this could be the beginning of the end if he is unable to show significant improvement in what is becoming a very diverse backfield.
OG: Sua Opeta
Penn State's Ryan Bates is someone that the team are high on and Big V's move inside is only going to complicate matters at interior guard. There are too many chefs in the Kitchen at this point, and Opeta may just be the odd man out, although his 6'4, 301 lbs, frame that was dominant as a tackle at Weber State, may be a developmental name to watch if he reaches the practice squad.
OT: Casey Tucker
Tucker was an undrafted free agent who worked out for the Eagles during rookie minicamp and was offered a contract after impressing. As things currently stand, there seems to be a very natural structure at the position, one that Tucker will be fighting to be a part of this Summer.
TE: Josh Perkins
Perkins failed to really show anything when given opportunities last year. It's easy to forget that somehow, he was taking receiving snaps over Dallas Goedert in the first few games of the season. That promptly changed. With Will Tye and Richard Rodgers in the wings, Perkins will have a lot to do this offseason.
WR: Shelton Gibson
Gibson enjoyed a preseason breakout last year but aside from a rogue blocking snap against the Bucs and a 48-yard catch against the Vikings, Gibson failed to really make any kind of offensive impact. However, he does provide deep speed and could easily be a shoo-in for a gunner role on special teams. But, considering this is now his fourth NFL offseason and there are sizeable UDFA's breathing down his neck, the pressure is piling up.
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DT: Anthony Rush
My offseason draft crush is at the bottom of the depth chart. Rush may be a physical behemoth, but the UAB product is not only behind the likes of Hassan Ridgeway, and 2018 contributors Bruce Hector and Treyvon Hestor, but he's also behind Rutgers star, Kevin Wilkins. There will be a heavy focus on DT depth, but Anthony will have to 'Rush' if he is to enter the picture.
DE: Daeshon Hall
Hall is in a similar spot to Rush, only the DE depth is that much more dangerous. The man directly above him in a presumed depth chart would be Joe Ostman, the man who emulated Khalil Mack and J.J Watt, impressing the Eagles coaching staff with his scout team efforts last year. Hall may have the makeup of an NFL DE, but is it enough in such a strong group?
LB: Joey Alfieri
There are a few undrafted free agents vying to make the roster, so realistically, any of these not named Alex Singleton, who has looked good during OTA's, could fit the bill. LB Coach Ken Flajoe has spoke glowlingly of T.J Edwards, leaving Alfieri out in the cold...for now. That's not to say he can't change his stars, and as a fan of his college tape, I hope that's the case.
CB: Josh Hawkins
If it comes down to cutting a CB, the Eagles just have too much upside at the position. Even UDFA Jay Liggins and his rangy frame present a very unique type of player for Schwartz to mold as a developmental talent. Hawkins is an NFL journeyman who received praise during the Spring, but it's hard to envision him sticking onto the 53-man roster. He's appeared in 32 regular season games since going undrafted in 2016 and spent time on the Eagles practice squad last year, which may prevent him from doing so again.
S: Trae Elston
Elston was only signed by the team recently and is back for his second stint in Philadelphia. The Eagles extended Blake Countess and they're high on Tre Sullivan. This is without factoring in Deiondre Hall and the mysterious Sendejo, who may or may not be waived to snag an extra compensatory pick. As things stand, Elston is looking up the depth chart with a lot of work to do.
