The Philadelphia Eagles were among the msot acgtive teams in the NFL during the opening few weeks of free agency, but how have their moves impacted the depth chart ahead of the NFL Draft? Here’s an up-to-date look at each position.
Quarterback
Jalen Hurts
Kenny Pickett
Will Grier
Tanner McKee
The Eagles have added two quarterbacks this offseason who are likely set to battle for the QB2 role, with Tanner McKee entrenched as the developmental long-term option behind Jalen Hurts. Pickett and Grier are fringe-level talents who will be able to push each other during the preseason, but don’t be surprised if one gets traded between now and this time next year when injuries across the league set in and teams crave someone who can step in and manage a game at a moments notice.
Running back
Saquon Barkley
Kenneth Gainwell
Lew Nichols
Tyrion Davis-Price
Saquon Barkley now heads up the Eagles backfield and looks destined to be take on the first real three-down role in Philadelphia since DeMarco Murray in 2015. With that said, I wouldn’t be shocked if the Birds targeted a running back in the lower rounds of the NFL Draft to bolster the rear-end of the group.
Wide receiver (X)
A.J Brown
Parris Campbell
Joseph Ngata
Parris Campbell’s signing was heavily linked to the slot and he does have familiarity with Nick Sirianni. However, his 6’1, 205 lbs, frame might well see him serve as the primary X backup to A.J Brown.
Wide receiver (Z)
DeVonta Smith
Britain Covey
Austin Watkins Jr.
The Eagles are set at Z receiver. Britain Covey’s special teams breakout brings with it some promise that he can continue develop into a larger role offensively, which should at least give the team some optionality behind DeVonta Smith, who has been surprisingly durable throughout the opening chapter of his NFL career.
Wide receiver (Z)
DeVante Parker
Jacob Harris
Shaquan Davis
The Eagles still really need help at slot receiver, so expect Howie Roseman to target this area during the NFL Draft. None of the three names above can take the top off of an NFL defense reliably and adding a name like Ainias Smith or Malachi Corley might well be the play, with Parker serving as an insurance policy.
Tight End
Dallas Goedert
Grant Calcaterra
Albert Okwuegbunam
Noah Togiai
Depending on the health and internal view of Albert O, the Eagles should be targeting a viable TE2 behind Dallas Goedert. Losing Jack Stoll isn’t a huge blow, but it does remove some blocking prowess from the team. Whether it’s a veteran free agent or a rookie drafted in the early rounds, the Eagles do need to find someone who can produce out of the gate and eventually become the heir to the TE1 throne.
Interior offensive line
Center
Cam Jurgens
Matt Hennessy
Right Guard
Tyler Steen
Lecitus Smith
Darian Kinnard
Left Guard
Landon Dickerson
Brett Toth
Jason Poe
The iOL in Philadelphia is very much up in the air. Matt Hennessy will likely be viewed as a center but I wouldn’t be shocked to see another versatile name or two added between now and the end of the offseason.
The Eagles have their starters locked in across the interior, but depth is now a glaring issue without much in the way of names who have been around long enough to show significant growth since their arrival. Adding a few extra names to bolster the depth chart, ideally veterans who can play in help younger and inexperienced guards, or handle a starting NFL workload in a pinch.
Exterior offensive line
Left Tackle
Jordan Mailata
Fred Johnson
Right Tackle
Lane Johnson
Le’Raven Clark
It’s a similar story on the outside. The Eagles have two franchise tackles at their disposal, and while Le’Raven Clark is a great plug-and-play option, Philly will need at least one more tackle to backup Jordan Mailata, or a swing option who can be developed over the next few years.
Defensive end/OLB
Haason Reddick
Bryce Huff
Josh Sweat
Brandon Graham
Nolan Smith
Zack Baun
Patrick Johnson
Julian Okwara
It’s really hard to form a depth chart at EDGE/OLB because we don’t really know how the players are viewed by Vic Fangio, who typically runs a 3-4 base. With that said, the Eagles do have plenty of pass-rushing options but still lack a proven commodity in coverage on the outside.
I do like the upside that Zack Baun brings to the position, but is he ready for a starting role after playing a rotational role for the Saints? Probably not. They’ll need to find some coverage linebackers between now and September, especially with how important they are in this scheme.
Defensive tackle
Jalen Carter
Jordan Davis
Milton Williams
Marlon Tuipolotu
Moro Ojomo
PJ Mustipher
I doubt we see much movement at DT this offseason, especially if the team does line up in a 3-4. It should suit Jordan Davis much better, while Jalen Carter should be able to build on an exceptional rookie year. Having Milton Williams and Marlon Tuipolotu in the rotation makes for a strong depth chart.
Inside Linebacker
Devin White
Nakobe Dean
Oren Books
Ben VanSumeren
Noah Elliss
Terrell Lewis
Brandon Smith
Is Devin White really an upgrade over Nakobe Dean? It’s debatable. The Eagles need to find a reliable MIKE linebacker this offseason unless they’re far higher on Dean’s development than most and are confident he can take a step forward and remain healthy in 2024.
Cornerback
Darius Slay
James Bradberry
Kelee Ringo
Tyler Hall
Zech McPhearson
Josh Jobe
Eli Ricks
Tiawan Mullen
Isaiah Rodgers
The cornerback picture is interesting. The Eagles can’t really move on from the starting tandem of Slay/Bradberry due to the huge cap hits they’d have to swallow, and losing Avonte Maddox means that there could be a windoe for a name like Kelee Ringo or Zech McPhearson to etch out a starting role. Tyler Hall provides experience and depth at the nickel should they need that.
The wildcard here is Isaiah Rodgers, who was suspended in 2023 for betting on NFL games in 2022. The former Colt was a corner who had plenty of upside prior to that suspension and could well be in the mix this Summer.
Safety
Reed Blankenship
Chauncey Gardner-Johnson
Sydney Brown (IR)
Tristan McCollum
The return of CJGJ is an important one and provides some much-needed star power at Safety. However, Sydney Brown’s ACL rehab is going to keep him sidelined through the opening portion of 2024, so the Eagles would be wise to add at least one more name here as the NFL Draft approaches.
Special teams
Jake Elliott
Braden Mann
Rick Lovato
Ah, sweet serenity. Nothing needs to be said here other than what a pleasant sight this unit really is.
AP Photo/Chris Szagola
