Eagles

Eagles Training Camp: Initial 53-man roster projections

We’ve made it. After a long, exciting offseason for the Philadelphia Eagles, training camp is officially underway.

The Eagles enter camp with 90 players and they’ll have until Tuesday, August 30 to dwindle that number down to 53. Most of the starting positions are locked up heading into camp, but there will be several roster bubble players who will enter camp looking to earn themselves a roster spot.

Let’s take a look at each position and predict how the final 53-man roster will shape up.

Quarterback (3): Jalen Hurts, Gardner Minshew, Carson Strong

The quarterback position is pretty straightforward. Jalen Hurts will be the man under center Week 1 and Gardner Minshew will be his primary backup. If the team opts to keep three quarterbacks (which is the likely scenario), undrafted rookie Carson Strong makes the most sense for the QB3 slot on the depth chart.

The only question mark with Strong is his health; he’s had numerous knee surgeries and the longevity of his career is certainly a question mark. Nevertheless, his college resume is outstanding and he has all the physical tools to make it in this league.

Running Back (4): Miles Sanders, Boston Scott, Kenneth Gainwell, Kennedy Brooks

Miles Sanders, Boston Scott, and Kenneth Gainwell are all locks for the opening day roster. Keeping four backs for Week 1 isn’t as likely as keeping three quarterbacks, but given how much this team will rely on the running game once again in 2022, having four bodies to work with in the backfield will be ideal.

Perennial training camp all-star Jason Huntley and undrafted rookie Kennedy Brooks will be the primary candidates to snag that final spot on the running back depth chart. The nod goes to Brooks here due in large part to his north-south, bruising running style. Without Jordan Howard in the fold, Nick Sirianni’s offense will need to fill those shoes. Brooks fits the bill.

Wide Receiver (6): A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, Quez Watkins, Zach Pascal, Jalen Reagor, Greg Ward

The top-four spots on the Eagles’ wide receiver depth chart are locks. A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, Quez Watkins, and Zach Pascal will get the most playing time at wideout this season. Behind them, the Eagles will have several names to choose from. Guys like Devon Allen and Britain Covey will be fun to watch during camp, but ultimately, the team will opt to go with the receivers who are familiar with the system.

If the team can find a trade partner for Jalen Reagor, that obviously changes things. Perhaps Howie Roseman can scrounge up a late-round pick for him, but at this point, it seems a bit unlikely. Without a suitable trade on the table, Reagor will end up on the roster. Along with Greg Ward as veteran insurance.

Tight End (3): Dallas Goedert, Jack Stoll, Grant Calcaterra

Tight end is another pretty self-explanatory position group. Dallas Goedert will be the unquestioned TE1 for the first time in his career, Jack Stoll will remain in his role as the blocking tight end, and rookie Grant Calcaterra will provide the Eagles’ offense with some receiving ability in two tight end sets.

Tyree Jackson would make a case for a roster spot here if he wasn’t entering camp on the PUP list. As for the newly converted tight end J.J. Arcega-Whiteside, it would be shocking if he ended up snagging a roster spot.

Offensive Line (9): Jordan Mailata, Landon Dickerson, Jason Kelce, Isaac Seumalo, Lane Johnson, Andre Dillard, Jack Driscoll, Cam Jurgens, Sua Opeta

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From top to bottom, the Eagles’ offensive line is loaded heading into the 2022 season. Each of the five starters are above average at worst and downright elite at best. The depth behind them is great as well.

Both Cam Jurgens and Jack Driscoll will be future starters in Philly and Andre Dillard is still a very solid backup left tackle despite losing his starting spot last training camp. Sua Opeta will serve as the primary backup to Landon Dickerson at left guard and can swing over to the right side if need be.

Defensive End (4): Brandon Graham, Josh Sweat, Derek Barnett, Tarron Jackson

With Jonathan Gannon’s transition to more odd fronts in 2022, the Eagles’ defensive end group isn’t as deep as it has been in recent years, but each of the four who make the roster should get ample playing time. Brandon Graham and Josh Sweat will be the starters, with Derek Barnett and Tarron Jackson rotating in when the situation presents itself.

Defensive Tackle (4): Fletcher Cox, Javon Hargrave, Milton Williams, Jordan Davis

Each of the four defensive tackles on the opening day roster should have defined roles heading into the season. Fletcher Cox and Jordan Davis can eat up blocks on early downs, while Javon Hargrave and Milton Williams wreak havoc on opposing quarterbacks in passing situations. Seeing how Gannon utilizes his big guys up front will be interesting to watch throughout the season.

If one of them goes down with injury, guys like Marlon Tuipulotu and Marvin Wilson will be brought up from the practice squad.

SAM Linebacker (2): Haason Reddick, Patrick Johnson

The SAM linebackers and defensive ends will probably be interchangeable in Gannon’s new-look defense this year, which is why the team can go light at each position.

Haason Reddick was the big free agent get for the Eagles this season and should see the majority of playing time at the SAM spot. Second-year player Patrick Johnson did some nice things as a rookie and should serve as his primary backup.

Rookie sixth-round pick Kyron Johnson is an athletic freak, posting a 4.36 40-yard dash time at his pro day, but he’s still very raw as a pass rusher. Placing him on the practice squad and allowing him to develop his game might be the way to go.

Linebacker (5): T.J. Edwards, Kyzir White, Nakobe Dean, Davion Taylor, Shaun Bradley

Legitimate depth at the Eagles’ linebacker position? It certainly doesn’t fit with Howie’s team-building philosophy through the years; he must have had a change of heart this year.

T.J. Edwards and Kyzir White are in line to be the primary starters on base downs, with rookie Nakobe Dean nipping at their heels for more playing time. Davion Taylor started six games in 2021 but will likely be a rotational piece this season. Shaun Bradley has always been a solid special teams player and should remain there in 2022.

Cornerback (6): Darius Slay, James Bradberry, Avonte Maddox, Zech McPhearson, Jimmy Moreland, Mario Goodrich

The starting trio of Darius Slay, James Bradberry, and Avonte Maddox could make a claim as the best starting cornerback group in the NFL this season. Behind them, second-year corner Zech McPhearson will likely be the first corner off the bench barring any injuries.

Jimmy Moreland has been in the league for three years and can play on the outside as well as the nickel. The final spot here goes to undrafted rookie Mario Goodrich, who received a massive $217,000 in guaranteed money upon signing with the Eagles. That’s more than some late-round picks get. Teams don’t usually shovel over that kind of cash to undrafted players unless they envision them on the 53-man roster in year one.

Safety (4): Anthony Harris, Jaquiski Tartt, Marcus Epps, K’Von Wallace

Anthony Harris and Jaquiski Tartt will serve as the primary deep safeties this year, with Marcus Epps joining the fray in three-safety looks. The fourth and final spot on the depth chart is up for grabs between K’Von Wallace and Andre Chachere.

Given the fact that the team actually drafted Wallace and has tried to give him as much playing time as possible during his first two seasons, he’ll eventually get the nod over Chachere.

Specialists: Jake Elliot (K), Arryn Siposs (P), Rick Lovato (LS)

The only question mark facing the Eagles’ group of specialists is punter Arryn Siposs, who finished the 2021 season as one of the worst punters in the NFL.

Per Puntalytics (yes, that’s an actual website), Siposs finished dead last in open field punting last season (minimum 27 punts). He had some brutal shanks towards the latter half of the season, but it appears the team is comfortable with him holding onto the job since they didn’t bring in any competition for camp.

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Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher | USA Today Sports

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