The banner is going up, and the competition is heating up as the Birds begin training camp. The Philadelphia Eagles, fresh off their second Super Bowl victory, are retooling without rebuilding, and, like last season, relying on a couple of first and second-round explosive rookies to emerge as leaders at a couple of positions on the depth chart. Here’s how the 53 shakes out heading into training camp!
Quarterback (3)
Kyle McCord
Hurts is the face and the undisputed QB1 of the franchise. McKee showed enough last summer and late in the season as a starter to keep the staff intrigued, and McCord, a Philadelphia native with pedigree and poise, earns a redshirt year to learn the system.
Running Back (3)
Saquon Barkley
A.J. Dillon
Barkley’s explosiveness will headline this backfield, but don’t overlook the other two backs. Shipley could be a do-it-all chess piece, and Dillon offers north-south thunder to close games out behind this line. Three’s enough when your RB1 is a workhorse.
Fullback (1)
A linebacker converted battering ram, VanSumeren earns his spot the hard way: special teams. H-back duties, and third-and-short trench work.
Wide Receiver (6)
Terrace Marshall Jr.
The trio of Brown, Smith, and Dotson might quietly be the NFL’s best top-three. Marshall gets one more shot to recapture his LSU promise, and he did seem to have a rapport with Hurts during the spring. Williams, the former RB/PR dynamo, offers gadget and return value. Johnny Wilson could be the matchup nightmare, a 6’6” red zone skyscraper who makes it tough to keep off the field. He also showed flashes of how important he can be in the running game.
Tight End (3)
It’s a thin group behind Goedert, but Calcaterra’s chemistry with Hurts and improved blocking give him the nod for TE2 still. They could lean less on 12 personnel this year, unless they add to the position via trade or other means. Harrison Bryant is the wild card here. I expect a few practice-squad call-ups as well.
Offensive Line (10)
Drew Kendall
Myles Hinton
Jeff Stoutland gets his usual war chest. The starting five is elite; Steen is swing-capable, Pryor’s return brings experience, and Keegan and Kendall are two interior talents with serious upside. Hinton’s size intrigues, and Lamm is the veteran in the room with 50+ games under his belt. Ten deep and no weak link.
Defensive Tackle (5)
Ty Robinson
Carter is a star. Davis is in great shape and ready to wreck the pocket. Ojomo flashed last year and is ready for more snaps. Robinson’s power pairs well in the inside, and Booker’s quickness offers rotational experience on a budget.
Edge Rusher (5)
Antwaun Powell-Ryland
This room has become younger and more explosive. Smith takes the next step, Ojulari brings bend and burst off the edge, and Uche fits perfectly in pressure packages. Hunt could push for the second-most snaps from this group, and Powell-Ryland provides Fangio a speed-to-power prospect to develop.
Linebacker (4)
Jihaad Campbell
Jeremiah Trotter Jr.
Smael Mondon Jr.
A Jeremiah Trotter returns to the middle of the defense! If first-round pick Jihaad Campbell and Nakobe Dean are not ready for the start of the season, and it does not look likely, JTJ starts in week one. Baun brings his All-Pro talent back to wreak havoc, and rookie Smael Mondon has the ability to fly to the ball and hit like a safety. His development will be fun to watch. Speed and youth over volume here, but the room is trending in the right direction even without Dean and Campbell to start the season.
PUP Nakobe Dean
Cornerback (5)
Adoree’ Jackson
Mac McWilliams
Mitchell and DeJean headline a new era of the Eagles’ ‘no fly zone’. Ringo’s made strides, Jackson offers veteran stability, and don’t overlook Mac McWilliams. His spring reps turned heads, and his inside-outside flexibility makes him an intriguing prospect.
Safety (5)
Andrew Mukuba
Andre’ Sam
A new look room built on range and athleticism. Mukuba was born to play in this Fangio defense, while Sydney Brown is the heat-seeking missile to bring the pain. Sam and McCollum are core special-teams players with ascending upside. Blankenship offers excellent play and stability, while also having a nose for diving interceptions a couple of times a season to close out games. I am excited to see if former Georgia S Lewis Cine and UDFA Maxen Hook can push for a roster spot.
Specialists (3)
Elliott, the steady leg for his ninth season in Philly, and Mann, the directional punting savant. Hughlett replaces Lovato, bringing over 150 games of experience.
Eagles roster prediction takeaways
This Eagles roster feels like a blend of championship pedigree and hungry, young players ready to make their mark. There are calculated risks at TE and LB, but the infusion of athleticism and versatility gives this team a lot of promise. Hurts has weapons. Fangio has toys. And Philly has a 53 that’s built to defend a title.
As always, thank you for reading!
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Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
