Eagles 53-man roster projection ahead of final cuts
The Philadelphia Eagles are done with their traveling joint practice sessions, and they’re on to Detroit with the focus on the team’s season opener against the improved Lions.
The Birds sat 33 players on Saturday night in the 48-10 loss to the Dolphins, and the final preseason matchup was centered around veterans and undrafted rookies looking to play their way off the roster bubble.
There are about 42 locks on the roster and 23 players vying for 10 or 11 spots, depending on potential trades or surprise releases.
With Philadelphia set to trim their roster down before the Tuesday deadline, here’s the Eagles Wire final 53-man roster prediction for the summer.
QB Jalen Hurts
(AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
The games count now, and Hurts will be playing to be the face of the franchise going forward and for a massive contract extension.
QB Gardner Minshew
Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-USA TODAY Sports
Minshew is firmly entrenched as the No. 2 quarterback, and the Eagles will risk placing Reid Sinnett on waivers, going with two signal-callers entering the regular season.
RB Miles Sanders
Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
Sanders is working to return from a hamstring injury, and he’ll be motivated as he looks for a contract extension.
RB Boston Scott
Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-USA TODAY Sports
RB Kenneth Gainwell
(Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
The second-year running back will look to break out as a dual-threat dynamo.
WR A.J. Brown
(Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images)
Brown went without a target during the preseason, but he’ll be the player to watch against the Lions.
WR DeVonta Smith
Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
WR Quez Watkins
Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-USA TODAY Sports
WR Zach Pascal
(Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
Pascal missed the bulk of the first week with food poisoning, initially opening up opportunities for Jalen Reagor and Deon Cain.
He returned for the preseason opener and joint practices with the Browns, showing why Nick Sirianni is so high on the former Colts receiver.
Pascal is the fourth guy and a player to watch in the red zone.
WR Jalen Reagor
(Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
Unless he’s traded, Reagor makes his way on the 53-man roster due to Greg Ward having a quiet camp, along with Britain Covey’s thumb injury slowing his progression.
Reagor saw limited action during the preseason finale, and the next 48 hours will tell a lot.
WR Deon Cain
Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-USA TODAY Sports
Most expert predictions have Philadelphia carrying only five receivers on the initial 53-man depth chart.
Depth is essential in the NFL, and with a 17-game schedule, keeping Cain as the No. 6 wide receiver offers value and versatility for an offense looking to push the ball downfield.
TE Dallas Goedert
Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
TE Grant Calcaterra
Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
The rookie from SMU had a good shot at playing snaps on day one before suffering a hamstring injury.
Slowly returning from injury, Calcaterra logged two catches for 20-yards in the preseason finale and is too smooth a pass catcher not to make the 53-man roster.
TE Jack Stoll
(AP Photo/Rich Schultz)
A talented run-blocker, keeping Stoll helps round out a versatile tight-end group.
LT Jordan Mailata
(AP Photo/Steve Luciano)
LG Landon Dickerson
(AP Photo/Rich Schultz)
C Jason Kelce
(AP Photo/Derik Hamilton)
RG Isaac Seumalo
(AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
Returning from an injury, Seumalo has assumed the starting role at right guard as a replacement for the retired Brandon Brooks.
RT Lane Johnson
(AP Photo/Daniel Kucin Jr.)
LT Andre Dillard
(Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
The primary backup at left tackle to Jordan Mailata, Dillard is an insurance policy the playoff-bound Eagles have to hang onto.
OL Sua Opeta
(AP Photo/Rich Schultz)
G/T Jack Driscoll
(AP Photo/Steve Luciano)
Driscoll is a viable option at right guard, and he is currently the backup right tackle behind Lane Johnson.
C Cam Jurgens
(Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
Jurgens is going to be a star in the NFL.
OL Kayode Awosika
Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
The only way you keep the deepest offensive line in the league is not to allow anyone to claim your top young talent.
Awosika can play guard and both tackle spots.
DE Brandon Graham
(Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
Graham will begin the season as a reserve defensive end behind Haason Reddick after tearing his Achilles last season, and he’ll add to an already talented group of pass rushers.
DT Fletcher Cox
(AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
DT Javon Hargrave
(AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
DE Derek Barnett
Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
DE Josh Sweat
Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
DT Jordan Davis
Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
Davis had some growing pains in Cleveland but will make an impact from day one after improvement against the Dolphins.
DT Milton Williams
(AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
A second-year player out of Louisiana Tech, Williams will play three positions along the defensive line.
DE Tarron Jackson
(AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
A talented pass rusher, Jackson is ever-improving and a player to watch.
DT Marlon Tuipulotu
(AP Photo/Brandon Wade)
The former USC star can play a role when Gannon goes to a 3-4 defense, and he’s much improved after an offseason in the weight room.
SAM LB Haason Reddick
(AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
Reddick is listed as a linebacker, but he’ll rush from multiple positions as a primary pass rusher, meaning Philadelphia could carry more players at the position than usual.
LB Kyzir White
Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Linebacker T.J. Edwards
Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports
LB Shaun Bradley
(AP Photo/Bart Young)
Bradley makes the list thanks to his special team’s prowess and improved playmaking ability at linebacker.
LB Nakobe Dean
(Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
SAM LB Kyron Johnson
(AP Photo/Christopher Szagola)
The former Kansas star brings speed and athleticism to the SAM linebacker position as a pass rusher and special teams unit.
LB Patrick Johnson
Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports
The former Tulane linebacker has been a player to watch, and he has a fan in Jonathan Gannon.
CB Darius Slay
(Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
CB James Bradberry
(AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
CB Avonte Maddox
Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
CB Zech McPhearson
Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
CB Josh Jobe
(AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
The undrafted cornerback is rising up the depth chart and has made himself a roster lock if an elbow injury doesn’t put him on IR or the PUP list.
CB Josiah Scott
(AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Scott is listed as a cornerback and gives the Eagles another safety that can make plays in the slot or utilize range within the open field.
S Marcus Epps
(AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
The one consistent player at the position, Epps, has all the potential to make a Pro Bowl.
S Anthony Harris
Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
S Andre Chachere
Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-USA TODAY Sports
A special teams standout, Chachere makes the roster at safety with the ability to play cornerback.
S Jaquiski Tartt
(AP Photo/Kirk Irwin)
Reed Blankenship isn’t quite ready, and Tartt has been active over the past two preseason games.
LS Rick Lovato
Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-USA TODAY Sports
Lovato could be among the 53-man cuts and re-signed to the roster before the season opener.
K Jake Elliott
Jake Elliott
P Arryn Siposs
(AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
