The Philadelphia Eagles 2019 training camp is now officially a week old and just days away from the first preseason tilt against the Tennessee Titans. Howie Roseman has built and shaped a talented roster that will chase Lombardi Trophies for years to come. There have been some notable additions since minicamp ended and now the pressure is really on Doug Pederson and his staff to take this dynamic core and get the most out of it as one succinct unit.
Pederson will now have the task of blending some talented rookies and free agents with a talented roster that many around the league view as a top-five offense and one of the best teams in all of football.
With the Eagles’ open practice completed and the depth chart starting to take shape, here’s our updated 53-man roster projection.
Quarterback (2)
Depth chart: Carson Wentz, Nate Sudfeld
Analysis: A healthy Wentz is an MVP candidate and the second-best quarterback in the NFC. Sudfeld is without question the backup quarterback behind Wentz. The Eagles drafted Northwestern’s Clayton Thorson in the fifth round, and cutting him would likely leave a blemish on the record of Howie Roseman, regardless of how well Cody Kessler plays during training camp. Thorson is likely to become a practice squad player or a guy who’s released during training camp, based on how he continues to grasps the NFL game and the nuances of the position. If Sudfeld was to miss any significant time between now and deep into the season, Kessler would probably be the guy signed or retained.
Running Back (4)
Depth chart: Jordan Howard, Miles Sanders (rookie), Darren Sproles, Corey Clement,
Analysis: Darren Sproles return made things extremely tough for Boston Scott after initial observations had him replacing the veteran in the return game. Before the NFL draft, Howard was the top running back on the roster, as he has developed into a productive starter. Sanders is entrenched as the second back and will push for time as a starter. With Howie Roseman using a second-round pick on Sanders, and him having some fantasy football value, Clement will be the third running back who plays in spurts. The Eagles will likely choose between Josh Adams and Wendell Smallwood for a final roster spot if they carry five backs.
Wide Receiver (5)
Depth chart: Alshon Jeffery, DeSean Jackson, Nelson Agholor, J.J. Arcega-Whiteside, Marken Michel
Analysis: The starters are set, but behind Jeffery, Agholor, and Jackson, Arcega-Whiteside is the next man up and could prove to be just as valuable as Agholor, if not more important because of his skills in the red zone. The Eagles could look to add another veteran after training camp, but this group looks locked and loaded and will be even more dangerous if Arcega-Whiteside can start his ascension early. Marken Michel is a name to watch for that final spot, although it’ll likely go to Mack Hollins.
Tight End (3)
Depth chart: Zach Ertz, Dallas Goedert, Richard Rodgers
Analysis: The Eagles go with three talented tight ends instead of four here, understanding that Arcega-Whiteside offers versatility in certain packages. Ertz and Goedert are the top duos in all of the NFL and also work as interchangeable parts. Rodgers and Perkins will battle for the final roster spot.
Offensive Line (10)
Depth chart: Jason Peters, Brandon Brooks, Jason Kelce, Isaac Seumalo, Lane Johnson, Andre Dillard, Jordan Mailata, Halapoulivaati Vaitai, Stefen Wisniewski, Matt Pryor
Analysis: Dillard is the first-round pick and former backup Halapoulivaati Vaitai is now flourishing at the guard position and could fetch quality trade value once Brandon Brooks returns. The drafting of Dillard could mean bad news for Mailata’s chances of getting on the field at left tackle in the future, but the Eagles should still retain his value and potential. The re-signing of Wisniewski could leave undrafted rookie Ryan Bates as the odd man out.
Defensive Line (10)
Depth chart: Brandon Graham, Fletcher Cox, Malik Jackson, Derek Barnett, Vinny Curry, Josh Sweat, Joe Ostman, Timmy Jernigan, Shareef Miller, Hassan Ridgeway
Analysis: Chris Long has moved on and retired since our last projection, but the group is still strong and the Eagles acquired two more defensive tackles during the draft. They also signed Jernigan back and then traded a late-round pick to the Colts for Ridgeway. Jernigan, if healthy, should make the team, while Ridgeway is a talented run-stuffer and a guy who can allow Cox to rest. Joe Ostman was certain to make the team and we’ll have to monitor his injury suffered during the open practice. Sweat has impressed the coaching staff and has cemented a place in the rotation. The Eagles will likely carry five tackles and five edge rushers.
Linebacker (5)
Depth chart: Zach Brown, Nigel Bradham, Kamu Grugier-Hill, Nate Gerry, L.J. Fort
Analysis: With the Eagles’ addition of Brown and the signing of the undrafted free agents, a thin group had improved leaps and bounds. Undrafted rookie T.J. Edwards had a really good chance to make the team before Brown’s addition and still could be the most talented natural linebacker on the roster at the end of training camp. Can Edward’s talents transition into a roster spot is a question for a different day. With Grugier-Hill going down, Gerry has the chance to become a star and With Fort being a special teams standout, he’ll likely grab the final roster spot.
Cornerback (6) PUP (1)
Depth chart: Ronald Darby, Avonte Maddox, Sidney Jones, Cre’Von LeBlanc, Rasul Douglas, Orlando Scandrick
Analysis: Things change on NFL rosters and Jalen Mills is losing ground to an improving cornerback group. The Eagles currently have seven cornerbacks on the roster and you can expect each of them except for Josh Hawkins to be on the roster and get significant playing time. With Maddox asserting himself, the Eagles could look to trade Mills since Sidney Jones has finally found his groove. With Mills nowhere near returning from his foot injury, he’ll stay on the unable to perform list. If you go off merit, potential and his play from 2018, Douglas should get a shot to have significant playing time, as should LeBlanc. Maddox’s ability to play three positions could save a roster spot for Douglas. Scandrick gets the nod on the roster because of his experience and LeBlanc’s injury.
Safety (4)
Depth chart: Malcolm Jenkins, Rodney McLeod, Blake Countess, Andrew Sendejo,
Analysis: We told you that Jenkins missing offseason workouts were no big deal, and the heart and soul returned to participate in mandatory minicamp. It’s still unknown if Jenkins will get a new deal, but he made it clear that he would not hold out and his presence has been felt in camp. With Maddox being so versatile, Sullivan could probably be the odd man out, but Sendejo could also be cut with the addition of Countess. McLeod is looking to return in three weeks against the Ravens. The Eagles didn’t add a safety in the draft, and with Douglas and Maddox able to transition, it was a good call.
Special Teams (3)
Cam Johnston, Jake Elliott, Rick Lovato
