The NFL preseason is over. The Eagles’ spectacular offseason is coming to a close. The 2022-23 regular season is under two weeks away, but there are still major decisions each front office needs to make before the real games begin.
On Tuesday, every NFL team needs to make the final cutdowns to trim their roster to the initial 53-man group that will see the field in week one of the NFL season.
While the Philadelphia Eagles have all their starters pretty much penciled in, there are a few question marks that are still to be decided. With just two more days, and no preseason games left, it’s time to take a final stab at what the final 53-man roster will look like.
Quarterbacks
On Roster: Jalen Hurts, Gardner Minshew, Reid Sinnett, Carson Strong
53-Man Prediction: Jalen Hurts, Gardner Minshew
It’s very unlike the Eagles to roster only two quarterbacks, but 2022 isn’t like past seasons. Had Sinnett or Strong stood out through practices or the preseason, maybe one of them gets in as the third guy, but neither did. Having only two quarterbacks allow the Eagles to keep an extra player at a position of need.
Runningbacks
On Roster: Miles Sanders, Boston Scott, Kenneth Gainwell, Jason Huntley, Kennedy Brooks
53-Man Prediction: Miles Sanders, Boston Scott, Kenneth Gainwell, Jason Huntley
The top three runningbacks aren’t changing for the Eagles. Sanders, Scott, and Gainwell are an underrated combination that will cause headaches to any defensive unit. Huntley’s strong performance in the final preseason game all but guaranteed his spot on the 53-man roster.
Wide Receivers
On Roster: AJ Brown, DeVonta Smith, Quez Watkins, Zach Pascal, Greg Ward, Jalen Reagor, Britain Covey, John Hightower, Devon Allen, Deon Cain
53-Man Prediction: AJ Brown, DeVonta Smith, Quez Watkins, Zach Pascal, Greg Ward, Deon Cain
The top four spots of the Eagles receivers are easy to determine. Brown, Smith, Watkins, and Pascal are givens to make the roster. I don’t think that Jalen Reagor will be on the final roster and will probably be traded in a few days. Deon Cain has been the best receiver for the Eagles this preseason.
Tight Ends
On Roster: Dallas Goedert, Jack Stoll, Noah Togiai, Grant Calcaterra, Richard Rodgers
53-Man Prediction: Dallas Goedert, Jack Stoll, Grant Calcaterra
Dallas Goedert is the only given on the tight end side, but Stoll was very good as a blocker last season. Between Rodgers, Calcaterra, and Togiai, the 2022 draft pick is the best bet to make the roster after multiple solid practices and preseason performances. After a few injuries that plagued him early, I think Calcaterra is a safe pick for the Eagles.
Offensive Line
On Roster: Jordan Mailata, Andre Dillard, Lane Johnson, Jack Driscoll, Le’Raven Clark, Landon Dickerson, Isaac Seumalo, Jason Kelce, Kayode Awosika, Josh Sills, Sua Opeta, Cam Jurgens, Cameron Tom, Jack Anderson
53-Man Prediction: Jordan Mailata, Andre Dillard, Landon Dickerson, Sua Opeta, Jason Kelce, Cam Jurgens, Isaac Seumalo, Jack Anderson, Lane Johnson, Jack Driscoll
The entire group is pretty solidified. Mailata, Dickerson, Kelce, Seumalo, and Lane are set as the starters. While Dillard, Opeta, Jurgens, Anderson, and Driscoll could be starters on any other roster but will be backups to the group. None of these names should surprise anyone.
Defensive Line
On Roster: Josh Sweat, Brandon Graham, Derek Barnett, Tarron Jackson, Matt Leo, Fletcher Cox, Javon Hargrave, Jordan Davis, Kobe Smith, Marlon Tuipulotu, Milton Williams, Marvin Wilson, Renell Wilson
53-Man Prediction: Josh Sweat, Brandon Graham, Derek Barnett, Tarron Jacon, Fletcher Cox, Javon Hargrave, Jordan Davis, Milton Williams, Marlon Tuipulotu
It’s very uncommon to see a team keep nine defensive linemen while the SAM linebacker position will be full of top talent, but the Eagles certainly need as many pass rushers as possible. The starters are secure, and the backups are as well but Tuipulotu has had an excellent preseason and is more than deserving to make the final roster.
Linebackers
On Roster: Haason Reddick, TJ Edwards, Kyzir White, Nakobe Dean, Davion Taylor, Christian Elliss, Kyron Johnson, Patrick Johnson, JaCoby Stevens, Shaun Bradley
53-Man Prediction: Haason Reddick, TJ Edwards, Kyzir White, Nakobe Dean, Shaun Bradley, Patrick Johnson
Haason Reddick, TJ Edwards, and Kyzir White are the obvious starters heading into the opening game. Nakobe Dean has shown flashes as the steal of the 2022 NFL Draft and Patrick Johnson has played very well in the preseason. The final decision will come down to Shaun Bradley or Davion Taylor for the special team’s role. To be frank, Taylor’s preseason was a disaster. What was once a roster lock, is no longer the case, and Taylor could very well be cut after Saturday’s game.
Cornerback
On Roster: Darius Slay, James Bradberry, Avonte Maddox, Josh Blackwell, Mario Goodrich, Tay Gowan, Josh Jobe, Mac McClain III, Zech McPhearson, Josiah Scott, Kary Vincent Jr.
53-Man Prediction: James Bradberry, Darius Slay, Avonte Maddox, Josh Jobe, Zech McPhearson, Tay Gowan
Depth will be a major concern in the secondary for the Eagles. Bradberry/Slay/Maddox draw up a superb core of starters, but if one of them goes down, it could cause disaster for the overall health of the defense. I wouldn’t be surprised to see a trade for a veteran corner come in later on in the year, but Jobe and McPhearson have been more than deserving as the second group.
Safety
On Roster: Marcus Epps, Anthony Harris, Jaquiski Tartt, Reed Blankenship, Andre Chachere, K’Von Wallace
53-Man Prediction: Marcus Epps, Anthony Harris, Reed Blankenship, Chuck Clark.
I hope you were paying attention! The Eagles are going to trade Jalen Reagor and Chuck Clark is the perfect trade piece in Baltimore. Reed Blankenship and Josh Jobe have shown some excellent work as undrafted free agents and have deserved to get a spot on the 53-man roster. With the addition of Clark, Tartt is able to be released after a poor showing as well.
AP Photo/David Richard
