I’ve always thought final roster predictions were silly. Experts would get themselves in a tizzy over guys who would likely not factor into the season in the least and the whole exercise seemed trite. The season though, things are pretty interesting namely because the Eagles have to balance the talent that they need now with the talent they will need later. I’m looking squarely at the last two years of draft picks and our two International Pathway guys, Uar Bernard and Josh Weru. Let’s dive in.
By my count, there are 36 locks on the roster leaving 17 spots up for grabs. If you need to see that uninteresting part with all the big names, expand the section below.
Eagles Roster Locks
- Offense (18)
- QB (1) – Jalen Hurts
- RB (3) – Saquon Barkley, Tank Bigsby, and probably Will Shipley over Dameon Pierce
- WR (3) – DeVonta Smith, Dontayvion Wicks, and Makai Lemon
- TE (3) – Dallas Goedert, Eli Stowers, and Johnny Mundt
- OL (8) – Jordan Mailata, Landon Dickerson, Cam Jurgens, Tyler Steen, Lane Johnson, Willie Lampkin, Drew Kendall, and Markel Bell
- Defense (16)
- DT (4) – Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis, Moro Ojomo, Byron Young
- EDGE (3) – Nolan Smith, Johnathan Greenard, and Jalyx Hunt
- LB (3) – Zack Baun, Jihaad Campbell, and Jeremiah Trotter Jr.
- CB (3) – Quinyon Mitchell, Cooper DeJean, and Riq Woolen
- S (3) – Marcus Epps, Andrew Mukuba, and Michael Carter II
- Special Teams (2)
- K (1) – Jake Elliott
- P (1) – Braden Mann
OFFENSE (8)
QB (2): The Eagles backup QB situation is an odd one. Tanner McKee and Andy Dalton are both in the running for QB2 with Cole Payton either not making the team or being QB3. When Dalton was acquired, it seemed like McKee might be traded, otherwise the transaction didn’t make much sense. It’s possible both could stay, but that would make Cole Payton a waste of a pick despite him having some tools to work with. Since Payton would likely not make it to the Practice Squad, one of Dalton or McKee is likely not going to make it.
WR (4): The Eagles brought in a lot of quality bodies to keep things at a high competition level without A.J. Brown. Hollywood Brown is the fastest WR on the roster, so let’s pencil him in on the roster. Darius Cooper looks very promising and the team would likely not want to give up on him. That leaves Elijah Moore, Johnny Wilson, and punt returned Britain Covey. Assuming Covery hits the practice squad again like last year, the Eagles can see what they have with the other two.
OL (2): The top 8 already gives the team quality backups at tackle, guard, and center so there is no need at any 1 position. That said, while Fred Johnson was a stabilizing force last year when Lane Johnson went out, is that enough to beat out someone young like Myles Hinton and Cameron Williams who were picked in the 6th round last year or Micah Morris who was selected in the 6th round this year?
DEFENSE (9)
DT (2): This is where things get fun. Ty Robinson is older for being a 2nd year player and had a bad rookie season, but he looks like he will be able to give the line some juice for about ten snaps per game. As a former 4th round pick, he will probably make the team. The real bit of news is Uar Bernard being DT6. There is a lot of confusion out there concerning Bernard and Josh Weru. People think there is a roster exception for them, THERE IS NOT. There is for the Practice Squad, but the trick would be getting them there. Considering the hype surrounding Bernard and his physical/athletic ability, the Eagles would have to fit him on the 53-man roster first. After that, they could “phantom IR” him, but then he would not get to practice.
EDGE (3): Arnold Ebiketie, A.J. Epenesa, and Josh Weru. Ebiketie and Epenesa were buy low professionals who can be proficient depth in the pass rush rotation. Weru is completely different. Like Bernard, the Eagles risk losing him if he does not make the 53 man. There’s almost no way he would play in any games this season, but losing him would be a premature end to a good investment. It is important to know that only 46 of 53 rostered players are allowed to dress on gameday. Weru and Bernard would never be of those 46. If injuries start to take their toll on the team, it is likely that one or both of them would eventually find their way to IR to make room, but only in an emergency or toward the end of the season. Keyshawn James-Newby was a 7th round pick this past season but is probably Practice Squad bound.
LB (1): Smael Mondon or Deontae Lawson? That will likely be the question in another Georgia vs Alabama showdown. Mondon is incredibly fast for his size and a good special teams player but likely not much more. Lawson is a former top talent who got hurt and lost a lot of his athleticism. While Lawson is very smart and probably has every down upside in him somewhere, the Eagles will likely have to make a determination as to whether they think it could come back. This is interesting.
CB (2): There are probably four player vying for two spots between Jonathan Jones, Mac McWilliams, Kelee Ringo, and Jakorian Bennett. Jones is the vet, Bennett came over last year in a trade and then basically never played, McWilliams is in year 2, and we all know Ringo (even if the only nice thing we can say is special teams). All 4 offer something interesting and we’ll have to see how the next two weeks play out.
S (1): Because of Cooper DeJean, the need for safety depth is probably not as important as other positions. He’s going to be there a lot. That allows for the team to keep All Pro special teamer J.T. Gray around (and probably dooms Ringo) despite not being much as a safety. Kapena Gushiken and Max Pulley are UDFAs who have some juice, but keeping them on the Practice Squad will likely not be an issue.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Yes, there are even a few special teams topics to talk about. The Eagles will need a long snapper each and every game day. They even have an undrafted free agent by the name of Rocco Underwood who will have the job. So why is he not a lock for the 53 man? Because the Eagles take every advantage possible. Underwood will likely NOT make the final roster but instead be a practice squad elevation for the first 4 weeks of the season instead. At that point, the Eagles will likely sign him for the rest of the season or find someone else if it’s on the menu.
As for a kick and punt returner, this would be the job for Britain Covey. He will likely be in a similar situation to Underwood though in that he can be a practice squad guy for at least the first 4 weeks of the season before a decision needs to be made.
By fudging special teams with practice squad callups, it allows the Eagles to basically keep two players that they otherwise would not. Right now, that means keeping both two extra receivers AND our two International Pathway guys. If they decide to do something else, these four spots will likely be the first to be sacrificed.
Photo: SportsLogos.Net
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