Eagles' roster: Upheaval at safety with trade for Saints' starter; why Jalen Reagor stayed
The Eagles made two moves Tuesday on the NFL's cutdown day. They released starting safety Anthony Harris and replaced him by trading for Saints defensive back Chauncey Gardner-Johnson.
Gardner-Johnson played a hybrid linebacker/slot corner role with the Saints, and he is expected to start next to safety Marcus Epps in the secondary. The Eagles are sending the Saints a 2023 fifth-round pick and a 2024 sixth-rounder while getting Gardner-Johnson and a 2025 seventh-round pick.
It was a major upgrade at safety, which was considered the Eagles' weakest position. Gardner-Johnson, the Saints' fourth-round pick in 2019, was a full-time starter the last two seasons. He had three interceptions and two sacks in 2021.
But it was more than just Harris who was jettisoned. The Eagles also waived veteran safeties Jaquiski Tartt and Andre Chachere.
"Not that we were unhappy with our defensive backfield, or safety position, but we were looking for opportunities to get better," Eagles general manager Howie Roseman said. "When we look at New Orleans and the depth that they have on their roster, we thought maybe it would be a fit."
The Eagles will have to get Gardner-Johnson up to speed quickly. The regular season begins Sept. 11, when the Eagles face the Lions in Detroit.
"That’s our job as coaches, to have a plan, and we do," Eagles coach Nick Sirianni said. "I think at this point, right now, it doesn’t benefit us to talk about how we’re playing him or where we’re playing him. ... The fact that he didn’t have any snaps here with us is an unknown to Detroit, and we’ll keep it that way."
The Eagles did keep wide receiver Jalen Reagor, the 2020 first-round pick who was reportedly in trade rumors, along with backup left tackle Andre Dillard, a 2019 first-round pick also the subject of trade rumors.
As for Reagor, Roseman said he was consistent in practice this summer. But Reagor is considered down the depth chart behind A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, Quez Watkins and maybe Zach Pascal.
"The guy brought it every day," Roseman said. "He worked on his craft. He had great attitude, great energy. Obviously, he’s a talented guy. He’s 23 years old."
The Eagles kept three undrafted free agents in cornerback Josh Jobe, safety Reed Blankenship and offensive lineman Josh Sills.
Roseman said that in part was a result of having only five draft picks last spring.
At safety, Harris had spent his first six seasons with the Vikings before coming to the Eagles' last season. He became a free agent, only to sign a one-year deal in March to return to the Eagles.
Both starters at safety from last season − Harris and Rodney McLeod − are gone. McLeod signed with the Colts last spring. McLeod is 32, and Harris will be 31 in October. They are replaced by younger players in Gardner-Johnson, 24, and Epps, 25.
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Here is the Eagles' initial 53-man roster:
Quarterbacks (2)
Jalen Hurts, Gardner Minshew
Running backs (3)
Kenneth Gainwell, Miles Sanders, Boston Scott
Wide Receiver (5)
A.J. Brown, Zach Pascal, Jalen Reagor, DeVonta Smith, Quez Watkins
Tight End (3)
Grant Calcaterra, Dallas Goedert, Jack Stoll
Offensive Line (10)
Landon Dickerson, Andre Dillard, Jack Driscoll, Lane Johnson, Cam Jurgens, Jason Kelce, Jordan Mailata, Sua Opeta, Isaac Seumalo, Josh Sills
Defensive Line (9)
Derek Barnett, Fletcher Cox, Jordan Davis, Brandon Graham, Javon Hargrave, Tarron Jackson, Josh Sweat, Marlon Tuipulotu, Milton Williams
Linebackers (8)
Shaun Bradley, Nakobe Dean, T.J. Edwards, Kyron Johnson, Patrick Johnson, Haason Reddick, Davion Taylor, Kyzir White
Cornerback (6)
James Bradberry, Josh Jobe, Avonte Maddox, Zech McPhearson, Josiah Scott, Darius Slay
Safety (4)
Reed Blankenship, Marcus Epps, Chauncey Gardner-Johnson, K'Von Wallace
Specialists (3)
Jake Elliott, Rick Lovato, Arryn Siposs
In addition to Harris, here are the players either waived, released or placed on injured reserve:
Reid Sinnett, QB: Sinnett completed 52.1% of his passes for 254 yards in three preseason games. His best was the 55-yard TD to Devon Allen against the Browns. It wasn't enough to warrant a spot. The Eagles signed Sinnett off the Dolphins' practice squad last October and installed him as the third QB. It's possible the Eagles will pick up a QB waived by another team.
Devon Allen, WR: The Olympic hurdler showed his speed by catching that 55-yard TD pass from Sinnett. But he also showed how much catching up he has to do after not playing football since 2016 to focus on his Olympic career. The Eagles would like to have him on the practice squad.
Jaquiski Tartt, S: Tartt had been a starter for his first six seasons with the 49ers, but could never find his footing here after the Eagles signed him as a free agent in June.
Greg Ward, WR: Ward was placed on season-ending injured reserve. He had worked his way onto the roster after 2 1/2 years on the practice squad, faced a tough battle to make the team after the Eagles signed Zach Pascal.
Carson Strong, QB: Strong was signed to a bonus of $320,000 as an undrafted free agent, one of the highest amounts given to an undrafted player. But it was telling that the Eagles didn't use Strong last Saturday until midway through the fourth quarter, trailing 41-3.
Jason Huntley, RB: Huntley was third in the NFL in carries with 35 and tied for the league lead in rushing with 163 yards. This is an indication that Miles Sanders could return for the opener after missing the last three weeks with a hamstring injury.
Britain Covey, WR: He was one of the early stars in camp, but couldn't keep it going. He'll likely end up on the practice squad.
Deon Cain, WR: Cain, the Eagles' top wide receiver in preseason games, was on the practice squad last season.
Andre Cachere, S: He, too, was part of the safety purge. But Cachere is a special teams ace and it's possible that he could end up on another team's 53-man roster.
Richard Rodgers, TE: The veteran had an undistinguished camp. But as in last season, there’s a chance he’ll be back after Week 1. As a vested veteran, his salary would be guaranteed if he was on a roster Week 1.
Renell Wrenn, DT
Cameron Tom, C
Josh Blackwell, CB
Mario Goodrich, CB
Marvin Wilson, DT
Le'Raven Clark, T
Tay Gowan, CB
Kobe Smith, DT
Noah Togiai, TE
JaCoby Stevens, LB
Jack Anderson, C/G
G/T Kayode Awosika
Kennedy Brooks, RB
Christian Elliss, LB
John Hightower, WR
Matt Leo, DE
Mac McCain, CB
Kary Vincent, CB
Contact Martin Frank at mfrank@delawareonline.com. Follow on Twitter @Mfranknfl.
This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Eagles' roster tracker: A trade for Saints' Chauncey Gardner-Johnson
