The Eagles have 16 on-field 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 the 4 p.m. deadline on Tuesday.
Here are my final predictions for the 53-man roster for 2024:
Defensive back (3): Galen Hurts, Kenny Pickett, Tanner McKee
Those three were never in doubt. You could certainly argue that Mackey has overtaken Pickett and deserves to be No. 2. If Hurts stays healthy, we may never see that put to the test. But all three should be on the list.
Out: Will Greer
Running back (3): Saquon Barkley, Kenny Gainwell, Will Shipley
Could the Eagles choose to keep one of their big guys? Maybe. But none of them really broke away from the group and the Eagles will certainly keep those top three. Barkley will be the bell cow but Ginwell and Shipley will be the ones responsible for that.
Out: Tyrion Davis-Price, Kendall Melton, Lou Nichols
The Future (6): AJ Brown, Devonta Smith, Jahan Dotson, Brittan Coffey, Johnny Wilson, Aeneas Smith
The Eagles finally found their third receiver when they traded for Dotson on Thursday. That was bad news for the other veterans who were trying to get on the team. Smith was a tough player to get as he struggled most of the summer but finished the season strong and you know Howie Roseman doesn’t really want to part with a fifth-round pick.
Out: Austin Watkins, Jacob Harris, Griffin Hebert, Paris Campbell, John Ross, Joseph Ngata
Narrow end (3): Dallas Goedert, Grant Calcaterra, EJ Jenkins
The Eagles may choose to keep just their top two tight ends and then look for a third. Jack Stoll looks like he could be released from the Giants, so that’s certainly a possibility. But Jenkins has been the team’s third-best tight end all summer and deserves a roster spot, so even if the Eagles don’t give him a spot, I’ll give him a roster spot.
Directed by: Kevin Voelch, Armani Rogers, Albert Okwuegbunam
Offensive line (9): Jordan Mailata, Landon Dickerson, Cam Jurgens, Mickey Becton, Lane Johnson, Tyler Steen, Fred Johnson, Trevor Keegan, Dylan McMahon
It hasn’t been easy to determine the starting lineup on the offensive line this year. Maybe someone like Brett Toth, Darian Kennard or even Nick Gates could make the team. But I don’t think they need to be in the starting lineup. Maybe the Eagles can add a couple of them to the practice squad.
Out: Max Scharping, Jason Poe, Nick Gates, Brett Toth, Gottlieb Ayedze, Laken Fakalahei, Darian Kennard, Matt Hennessey, Anim Danquah
Defensive back (5): Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis, Milton Williams, Marlon Tubiolo, Moro Ojomo
Those five seem pretty safe, and the first three are pretty much done. It was hard to leave out Thomas Booker IV. He had a very good training camp and preseason and probably deserved to be drafted, but he was one of my final picks. If the Eagles want a typical backup quarterback, P.J. Mustipher has a shot, but I don’t think they really need him.
Directed by: Thomas Booker, PJ Mustipher, Gabe Hall
Edge (6): Josh Sweat, Bryce Huff, Brandon Graham, Nolan Smith, Jalex Hunt, Patrick Johnson
The top five is a foregone conclusion. Even if Hunt isn’t ready to contribute much 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 spot this summer to make the list for the fourth straight year. Johnson shines on defense and is a great special teams player.
Out: Taron Jackson, Terrell Lewis, Julian Okwara
Defensive back (5): Devin White, Nakobei Dean, Zach Bowen, Jeremiah Trotter Jr., Ben Van Someren
Even with a really good final preseason game, Oren Burks is still the only player not in the game. The top four feels safe and Ben Van Someren had a good summer and played well in the preseason and he’s younger than Burks. He makes the team a key contributor on special teams.
Out: Oren Burks, Brandon Smith
Defensive back (6): Darius Slay, Quinyon Mitchell, Isaiah Rodgers, Kelly Ringo, Cooper Degen, Eli Ricks
The Eagles may be willing to part ways with Rex, but it doesn’t make sense to me to part with a promising young defensive player even if the numbers make it difficult. The hard part here is keeping Rex instead of Josh Jobe, who has been a dynamic gunner. But if Rodgers ends up being the other outside defender, that would free up Ringo to be the starting kicker on the team.
Out: Zeke McPherson, Josh Jobe, Barry Nickerson, Sean Stevens
Safety (4): CJ Gardner-Johnson, Reid Blankenship, Avonte Maddox, Tristen McCollum
This is a position the Eagles have been light on all summer. The first two are starters and Maddox was essentially a full-time safety by the end of camp. He’s worth keeping around for his versatility. McCollum was one of the last players on the roster. He had a better summer than the other backup safeties and can help on special teams. Caden Stearns has never been healthy, so he’s a good candidate for the injured list. Sidney Brown will likely start the season on PUP. James Bradberry didn’t play in the final game of the preseason; some took that as a sign he’d made the roster but I don’t see it that way. I don’t think he’ll be on the team.
Puppy: Sydney Brown
Directed by: James Bradberry, Andre Sam, Caden Stearns
Specialists (3): Jake Elliott, Braden Mann, Rick Lovato
The Eagles have been keen to secure all their specialist players this summer. These three work together very well. I don’t see the Eagles playing that game this year with Lovato as they have dropped him to create space and brought him back.
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