Philadelphia Eagles training camp is almost here!
Players will report to the NovaCare Complex on Tuesday, July 23 prior to the first team practice on Wednesday, July 24.
While we have some time to kill, let’s take a look at everyone’s favorite summer event: the 53-man roster preview. of how deep the Eagles can play. We will certainly update these predictions throughout the summer to reflect the positive progress from practices and preseason games.
PEACE
QB: Jalen Hurts, Kenny Pickett, Tanner McKee (3) [3]
Hurts didn’t look very comfortable during spring practices in the offense he described as “95%” new. His progress in adapting to Kellen Moore’s vision is eye-opening. In theory, Pickett and McKee will be battling to be QB2. But until McKee actually takes second-team reps, it’s hard to believe Pickett hasn’t locked up the job yet. Will Grier appears to be the camp arm that will eat up some preseason snaps. Maybe his relationship with Moore will earn him a spot in the gym? Or maybe the coaching staff?
RB: Saquon Barkley, Kenny Gainswell, Will Shipley (3) [6]
Behind the still fountain, it would be nice to see Barkley have goosebumps in camp. It will be interesting to see how many targets you get; Will you really participate in the passing attack? Gainwell it is not appropriate he’s just a lock to be a second baseman but the coaching staff seems to like him a lot, he might be. Shipley was active as a pass-catcher in spring practices; will that continue in camp? The Eagles probably don’t need to keep a fourth quarterback on the team. If anyone can make a case for that RB4 spot, though, it might be Kendall Milton. Keep in mind that the Eagles typically keep at least one undrafted free agent on their roster. To that end, they’ve had one UDFA on the roster in Week 1 every season since at least 2013 … with the rare exception of 2020, when the pandemic was a major factor working against players uncorrected.
WR: AJ Brown, DeVonta Smith, Parris Campbell, Britain Covey, Johnny Wilson, Anias Smith (6) [12]
We know AJ and DeVonta are very good players. We don’t know if there are quality options behind them. Subject to picking up first-team reps this offseason, Campbell will get the first crack at the WR3 job. Hurts seemed to have some confidence in him. Covey is clearly the best punt returner in the NFL and it’s no small part of why the Eagles had a top-notch special teams unit last year. It remains to be seen whether he can actually contribute to the offense. As a long receiver, Wilson is considered a training camp favorite. Smith didn’t have a great year but he wasn’t 100% healthy. If John Ross can stay healthy, which is a big if, he can push for a roster spot. If no one takes the WR3 job, Howie Roseman could look to make a trade. Perhaps Ronald Darby’s back position from 2017 has the Eagles dealing with a cornerback and a draft pick for a wide receiver this offseason.
TEs: Dallas Goedert, Grant Calcaterra, CJ Uzomah (3) [15]
I feel like Goedert is a better player than last year’s numbers would indicate. I think he will return to being a more productive target after logging a career low of 10.0 yards per reception in 2023. The TE2 and TE3 roles appear to be important. Calcaterra earned praise from the coaching staff and saw first-team action during the spring. He offers more pass catching ability than Uzomah as a blocker in the Jack Stoll format. EJ Jenkins caught a spring shiner; it will be interesting to see if he can continue to shine.
OL: Jordan Maiata, Landon Dickerson, Cam Jurgens, Tyler Steen, Lane Johnson, Mekhi Becton, Matt Hennessy, Fred Johnson, Trevor Keegan, Dylan McMahon (10) [25]
The thinking here is that the Eagles will give Steen every opportunity to prove he deserves the starting job. However, if he falters, it may not be long before they plug Becton between Jurgens and Johnson. If he doesn’t start, Becton could be a top backup at every other center position. Hennessy could be the preferred spot in the game for Jurgens as well as providing additional depth at guard. The Eagles signed Johnson to an extension last summer; they may consider him as a fourth choice to work. Keegan and McMahon could be bigger points in the future than they will be as rookies. Max Scharping could have a chance to make the team as an experienced backup at both guard spots. Anim Dankwah’s skills are impressive but he’s probably nowhere near ready to play as a rookie.
PROTECTION
EDGE: Bryce Huff, Josh Sweat, Nolan Smith, Brandon Graham, Jalyx Hunt (5) [30]
There is reason to be excited about Huff’s potential as a full-time player but he is not yet a proven product in that regard. Sweat reduced the salary to stay on the team before the contract year; one would think he’d be motivated to prove he’s better than his relatively invisible second half in 2023. Whether or not the Eagles’ pass rush works out well may depend on whether Smith jumps into the Spring 2. Graham’s numbers as a percentage of value. player in his final NFL season. It’s hard to believe Hunt will see the backfield but he could contribute on special teams.
DT: Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis, Milton Williams, Marlon Tuipulotu, Moro Ojomo (5) [35]
I think Carter is basically useless. I don’t think anyone doubts that he will be fine. But realistic expectations should be even higher more than that. This is someone who was on an Aaron Donald-like trajectory for the better part of the last season before the entire defense collapsed. With his strength, Davis has shown he can make an impact…we just need to see more consistency. This season is a make or break opportunity with Fletcher Cox gone. Williams was more impactful last year than the stat sheet shows (he added half a sack) and I expect the numbers to pick up this year. Mr. T has acceptable DT4/DT5 activity. Ojomo has the potential to jump as a quality defensive tackle. The Eagles may want to keep six players here; they mostly used a six-man DT rotation last season. Of course, that was before Vic Fangio arrived. The Eagles defensive coordinator didn’t like to rotate his defensive linemen last season with the Miami Dolphins. PJ Mustipher (who serves as the nose receiver) and UDFA Gabe Hall are fighting to stick on the roster.
LB: Devin White, Zack Baun, Nakobe Dean, Oren Burks, Jeremiah Trotter Jr. (5) [40]
White appears to be a solid bet to start for the Eagles, which feels like a surprise since he ended the 2023 season with a playoff berth. But he looked good in spring practice and was free of the lingering injury problems that plagued him last year. Fangio seems to like Baun more than anyone expected him to. If Dean can have one standout practice in camp, it will be the first of his career. Burks feels like someone the Eagles could re-sign after Week 1, when his salary wouldn’t be guaranteed as a vet. But the Eagles may value his game experience and special teams ability too much to be good enough to risk losing him. A young guy like Ben VanSumeren or Brandon Smith could make Burks more useful if he steps up. Trot Jr. he’ll probably have to cut his teeth on special teams before he can get a shot at playing defense.
CB: Darius Slay, Isaiah Rodgers, Avonte Maddox, Kelee Ringo, Quinyon Mitchell, Cooper DeJean, Josh Jobe (7) [47]
Slay is locked in as a starter. After that? There is a lot of competition going on here. I’m buying what I’ve seen from Rodgers over the years; the way he went about defending and breaking the ball was just different, in a good way. I also don’t think Fangio would mind relying on a veteran instead of untried guys. That being said, Ringo looks like he’s ready to make a strong suit to begin with. Mitchell figures to have a role even if he doesn’t start outside; The Eagles used him in dime packages. For now, we’ll say Maddox starts in the slot in addition to providing depth at safety. But it wouldn’t be surprising if DeJean took him sooner rather than later. Jobe’s defensive ability is probably worse than Eli Ricks’ ability in that regard…but he’s a special team player, very important down the depth chart. Alternatively, Ricks could be a trade candidate when it comes to trying to add depth at another position (like receiver). James Bradberry is also a candidate to be traded if the Eagles can find someone who takes anything of value from a distance. call me ignorant but I think there is a compromise to be made as there has to be a team that doesn’t like their CB status and could use a lower risk aircraft for someone with 1) successful at the highest level. in the past and 2) who has had a history of returning after seasons. Of course, the NFL could decide to wait it out and hope the Eagles just cut Bradberry. Tyler Hall is a dark horse candidate to stick around, especially if there are nickel injuries. He would be a great option to stay on the practice squad as he has NFL experience.
S: Reed Blankenship, CJ Gardner-Johnson, Sydney Brown (3) [50]
The deal is too low for Blankenship, who will make big plays this year. Read it in it. It will be interesting to see CJGJ in his first training camp with the Eagles (he joined the team after the 2022 camp). Over/under battles: 1.5. Brown is reportedly starting camp on the active/PUP list but there seems to be an expectation that he will avoid going on/PUP and miss the first four games. The Eagles are pretty clear at safety but Maddox is also a factor here. And they could still want to sign a veteran, if they had to go that route. Maybe Mekhi Garner is sleeping here.
SPECIAL NEEDS
A: Jake Elliott (1) [51]
This will be Elliott’s eighth season as an Eagles player. There aren’t many players you’d like to have.
Q: Braden Mann (1) [52]
Mann is a quality expert. This will be his first full time working with Elliott and Lovato, so the additional agents should only help with their time together and collaboration.
LS: Rick Lovato (1) [53]
The Eagles’ long linebacker is in a contract year. Best to avoid any mistakes.
GROUP INFORMATION
RB Kendall Milton, WR Jacob Harris, WR John Ross, TE EJ Jenkins, OT Anim Dankwah, OG Gottlieb Ayedze, EDGE Julian Okwara, EDGE Patrick Johnson, DT Gabe Hall, DT PJ Mustipher, LB Ben VanSumeren, LB Brandon Smith, CB Tyler Hall, DB Mekhi Garner, S Tristin McCollum, S Andre’ Sam
International release: OT Laekin Vakalahi
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