Projecting the Eagles depth chart after the NFL Draft

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Quarterback:

QB1: Carson Wentz
QB2: Jalen Hurts
QB3: Nate Sudfeld

There isn’t a position on the roster as easy to read as quarterback when it comes to the current depth chart. Wentz is still the face of the franchise with Hurts a very clear QB2 with Sudfeld trailing in the distance doing all he can to cling onto the roster. There may well be a fourth QB added to the mix after rookie minicamp (if it happens), but the position appears to be crystal clear as of right now.

Running back

RB1: Miles Sanders
RB2: Boston Scott
RB3: Corey Clement
RB4: Michael Warren/Elijah Holyfield
RB5: Adrian Killins

There’s definitely an interesting picture from RB3 downwards. The Eagles realistically need that ‘thumper’ between the tackles for short-yardage situations and the pairing of Warren and Holyfield should be juking that out, while Adrian Killins tries to become the next ‘Boston Scott’. Clement’s role as a change-of-pace back should resume in 2020 barring an offseason breakout.

Offensive line

RT: Lane Johnson, Julian Good Jones, Casey Tucker
RG: Brandon Brooks, Nate Herbig,
C: Jason Kelce, Jack Driscoll, Keegan Render, Luke Juriga
LG: Isaac Seumalo, Matt Pryor, Sua Opeta
LT: Andre Dillard, Prince Tega Wanagho, Jordan Mailata

I’ve tried to sort the offensive line into positional depth, which is tricky in itself due to how much versatility runs through the veins of the group. Jordan Mailata has spent most of his time at LT but with Prince Tega Wanagho in the frame, he may be on the outside looking in.

Jack Driscoll should leapfrog Keegan Render as a backup center, while Pryor’s versatility make him the primary backup for both LG/RG.

Tight End

TE1: Zach Ertz
TE2: Dallas Goedert
TE3: Joshua Perkins
TE4: Alex Ellis
TE5: Noah Togiai

As of right now, Perkins should still be the TE3 after another year of sporadic use with flashes of receiving ability, including his first ever NFL touchdown. Alex Ellis and Noah Togiai may challenge him for that spot moving forward however.

Wide receiver

WR1 (x) J.J Arcega-Whiteside
WR2 (z) Jalen Reagor
WR3 (y) Marquise Goodwin
WR4 (x) John Hightower
WR5 (y) Greg Ward Jr.
WR6 (z) DeSean Jackson
WR7 (z) Quez Watkins
WR8 (x) Alshon Jeffery****
WR9 (y) Robert Davis
WR10 (x) Deontay Burnett
WR11 (z) Shelton Gibson
WR12 (x) Marcus Green
WR13 (y) Khalil Tate
WR14 (x) Bailey Manasseh

This gets interesting. WR1/2/3 shouldn’t be perceived as who has the most targets/receptions, especially on this team. I’ve sorted each spot into the X/Y/Z positions to try and make the picture a little clearer.

Jeffery appears so far down due to the likelihood of missing such a substantial portion of the 2020 season.

Jalen Reagor should become the starting Z receiver in his rookie yearm which is why DeSean Jackson is technically WR6, even though he’s the second Z receiver on the list.

John Hightower has the frame to move outside and if Marquise Goodwin is used in the slot to begin with, he’ll likely be a versatile piece who can move around and provide the offense with different sparks of life.

Anything beneath Alshon Jeffery should be regarded as a practice squad battle royale, with every receiver bringing marginalized skill sets or a significant ‘project’ label.

Defensive tackle

DT1: Fletcher Cox
DT2: Javon Hargrave
DT3: Malik Jackson
DT4: Hassan Ridgeway
DT5: Anthony Rush
DT6: Bruce Hector
DT7: Albert Huggins
DT8: Raequan Williams

Aside from quarterback, this is by far the clearest position to read on the entire roster. There’s set to be another free-for-all here from Anthony Rush down to Raequan Williams. The Eagles may keep a fifth DT on the roster after such a significant lack of depth in recent years, so it’s all to play for.

Defensive end

RDE1: Derek Barnett
LDE1: Brandon Graham
RDE2: Casey Toohill/Genard Avery
LDE2: Josh Sweat
LDE3: Shareef Miller
RDE3: Daeshon Hall
LDE4: Joe Ostman
RDE4: Matt Leo

Toohill and Avery may not be EDGE2 on the final depth chart, but they both have an identical skillset and a niche role as stand-up rushers, which tells me they may be part of a more significant plan.

Outside of that, Joe Ostman will be a name to watch as his return from an ACL is going to be filled with challenges and a windy road to gain the momentum lost to players like Daeshon Hall.

Linebacker

MIKE: T.J Edwards, Shaun Bradley, Dante Olson
SAM: Nate Gerry, Alex Singleton, Jatavis Brown
WILL: Davion Taylor, Duke Riley

T.J Edwards should easily be regarded as the starting middle linebacker, while Davion Taylor will essentially take on KGH’s vacated role. Jatavis Brown worries me as an open-field tackler and I feel like Alex Singleton’s special teams prowess lends itself to some slight advantages early on in this race.

Cornerback

CB1: Darius Slay, Rasul Douglas, Grayland Arnold, Tremon Smith
CB2 Avonte Maddox, Sidney Jones, Trevor Williams, Michael Jacquet
CB3: Nickell Robey-Coleman, Cre’Von LeBlanc, Prince Smith

This is probably the most unpredictable position on the entire team. Trevor Williams should easily be in contention to win the CB2 role, but I feel Rasul Douglas is going to be better off working behind Slay as a backup and mentoring a similarly rangy prospect in Grayland Arnold, who can work at Safety too,

NRC may have some slight leverage over LeBlanc in term of experience, but expect a training camp battle filled with fireworks.

Safety

FS: Rodney McLeod, Marcus Epps, Rudy Ford
SS: Will Parks, Jalen Mills, K’Von Wallace, Elijah Riley

Again, this should be fairly simple to read. Parks, Mills, and Wallace will fill the role left by Malcolm Jenkins, while Epps and Ford will compete behind McLeod for a backup FS role, which will likely form of prominent special teams snaps.

Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports