Defensive tackle: 5 (31)
Fletcher Cox, Malik Jackson, Timmy Jernigan, Hassan Ridgeway, Treyvon Hester
The player I’m really rooting for here is Anthony Rush, but I don’t think he’ll show enough to unseat Treyvon Hester, who flashed some really impressive play for the Eagles last year. This is a solid five-man rotation, something Cox didn’t have last year.
Defensive end: 5 (36)
Brandon Graham, Derek Barnett, Vinny Curry, Connor Barwin, Shareef Miller
It seems like Connor Barwin is likely to return to the Eagles. All signs are pointing toward the former fan-favorite bulking up, preparing to play as a 4-3 DE, and talking with Roseman about a return a few weeks into camp. If this is the case, I think the most likely player to hit IR with an ‘injury’ is Josh Sweat, given his history and a real lack of playing time as a rookie despite a need for edge production. Miller will be competing head-to-head with Sweat, but as a rookie, he may be given more leverage.
Linebacker: 5 (41)
Nigel Bradham, Zach Brown, Kamu Grugier-Hill, L.J Fort, Nate Gerry
L.J Fort brings special teams value to the table and given the Eagles’ recent intent to run more nickel defense, I think that going lighter here makes sense. Bradham and Brown hold it down on the majority of snaps, but ‘KGH’ has a real chance to carve out some more defensive playing time, having improved year-on-year.
Cornerback: 5 (46)
Ronald Darby, Sidney Jones, Jalen Mills, Rasul Douglas, Cre’Von LeBlanc
Don’t panic, Avonte Maddox IS on the team, just not where you might think. The Eagles keep all the usual suspects at cornerback, although there is a red ring around Jalen Mills, who will feel heavy pressure for his starting role in 2019 from Rasul Douglas. LeBlanc will back up Jones in the slot and see plenty of special teams action.
Safety: 4 (50)
Rodney McLeod, Malcolm Jenkins, Avonte Maddox, Blake Countess
We reported earlier today that there is a chance Safeties coach Tim Hauck experiments with Maddox at Safety. He shined there as a rookie, especially in week 8 against the Jags and as of right now, getting him on the field could be tricky due to a congested cornerback room.
This would allow the Eagles to cut Sendejo in order to acquire a fourth-round compensatory pick and more importantly, get one of their defensive backs with the highest ceilings, on the field.
Specialists: 3 (53)
Jake Elliott, Cameron Johnston, Rick Lovato
Nothing to see here folks, just a comment about Cameron Johnston’s iron leg.
Practice squad:
DT: Anthony Rush
QB: Clayton Thorson
RB: Josh Adams
TE: Josh Perkins
WR: De’Andre Thompkins
LB: Joey Alfieri
G: Sua Opeta
G: Ryan Bates
C: Anthony Fabiano
CB: Jay Liggins
