It’s a new day at the running back position for the Philadelphia Eagles. After the additions of some dazzling depth and talent to the skill positions, several familiar names are now out of a job after the Eagles reduced their roster to 53 players.
With the Eagles set to start forming a practice squad and preparation for the season opener just days away, here are seven takeaways from the Eagles initial 53 man roster.
1. Howie bombed on Clayton Thorson
Yes, Thorson was only a fifth-round pick, but he was drafted at a position that receives intense scrutiny and the perception that Roseman missed on a draft pick won’t be going away anytime sooner. When asked about Thorson during his Saturday press conference, Roseman had this to say.
“We’ve got to do what’s best for our football team. We’re not going to keep someone just because he’s a draft pick. You look around the league and there’ll be guys released who were drafted higher.”
Roseman chose the security of Josh McCown and the potential of Nate Sudfeld over a fifth-round pick.
2. Eagles rolling with 2 TE’s to start the season
It was surprising not to see Josh Perkins on the roster as the third tight end but speaks to what Roseman felt about his tight ends behind Ertz and Goedert. Howie Roseman most likely will look outside the organization for a third or fourth.
3. Wendell Smallwood era is over
The Josh Adams cut was surprising, but Smallwood finally running out of time is a shock to some. The writing was on the wall from the minute Roseman traded for Howard and then drafted Sanders. With Corey Clement looking explosive this summer, it was simply time for the Eagles to move on with a more dynamic set of running backs.
4. Daeshon Hall and Shareef Miller made the cut
Hall is the Eagles fourth defensive end and likely made Josh Sweat feel the heat (pun intended). It was widely predicted that the Eagles might stash Shareef Miller with a mystery injury, but the former Penn State defensive end made the cut as well.
5. Andre Dillard is ahead of schedule
The offensive line was already one of the best in the NFL and likely gets top billing after the way rookie Andre Dillard and second-year man Jordan Mailata played this summer. The Eagles have value, trade pieces and versatility along the front of the offensive line. Keeping Carson Wentz healthy is pertinent to the Eagles success and Roseman ensured the Birds will have two starting-caliber lines available on the roster.
6. New additions at safety make the cut
Johnathan Cyprien and Rudy Ford were late additions to the Eagles training camp but both players have a special skill set that allowed them to be the fourth and fifth safeties on the roster. The fact that the Eagles went heavy on the back end of the secondary speaks to the value Roseman is placing on a great special teams unit.
7. Eagles go two-deep at every position
If you look up depth and a loaded roster in the dictionary, you’ll likely see a team photo from the Philadelphia Eagles. The Birds are loaded and only poor health or bad play at important positons can derail this team from a Super Bowl.
