The Philadelphia Eagles have a week to determine their initial 53-man roster and with Thursday’s matchup against the Jets being a one-game tryout for many currently on the team, it’ll take some heroic performances to a few Eagles on the 53 man roster.
With the prospects of an opening week trade hovering over the front office, the need for certain players to establish their place on the roster is even more urgent.
The Eagles will need to cut the roster from 90 to 53 players by next Friday, August 31 at 4 p.m. EST. With cuts just one week away, here are 10 players who need a big game against the New York Jets.
1. Josh Adams
The rotation as it stands will be Miles Sanders, Jordan Howard, Darren Sproles, and Corey Clement. Where that leaves Adams or anything running back on the roster remains to be seen. With Eagles only likely to carry four running backs, Adams will need a huge game to keep things interesting. He could also be a prime candidate for the practice squad.
2. DeAndre Thompkins
The former Penn State wide receiver has shown flashes of speed in the return game and is likely playing to secure a spot on the Eagles practice squad. Another year in the Eagles system could produce dividends for Thompkins next spring.
3. Sua Opeta
Last seasons sixth-round Matt Pryor has been inconsistent and that could prove to be good news for Opeta. With Brett Toth in the fold now as well, the odds are difficult to make a deep offensive line unit. Opeta’s shot at making the roster or landing on the practice squad could come down to the Eagles choosing him or Nate Herbig.
4. Alex Singleton
Singleton has played well during the preseason and the former CFL star has the talent to be on an NFL roster.
With the Eagles favoring defensive backs and down linemen over the linebacker position, Edwards is likely to end up on the waiver wire, even if he has a huge game against the Jets.
5. Greg Ward
If it was based on wide receiver play, Ward would land on the roster. Ward and Marken Michel have both outperformed Mack Hollins this summer, but Hollins is a special teams ace and that carries supreme value. Another big performance against the Jets could finally land Ward a roster spot.
6. Rudy Ford
Ford was acquired by the Eagles from the Arizona Cardinals on Thursday and has one week and one preseason game to shake up the team’s depth chart at the safety position. Ford is a talented special teams player and could challenge Johnathan Cyprien for the fourth safety spot behind Malcolm Jenkins, Rodney McLeod, and Andrew Sendejo as their top three safeties. If the Eagles carry five at the position, the spot could go to Ford.
7. Wendell Smallwood
Every time Wendell Smallwood is counted out, he finds a way to land on the Eagles roster. It’ll be between Smallwood and Adams for the fifth running back spot, and if Adams lands on the practice squad, Smallwood could be looking for work elsewhere.
8. Will Tye
It looks like a battle between Josh Perkins and Richard Rodger for the fourth tight end spot. Rodgers foot injury could allow Tye one last opportunity vs. the Jets.
9. Nate Herbig
Herbig is a favorite of Eagles brass and with Stefen Wisniewski imploding at both center and guard, Herbig may be able to secure a spot on the 53 man roster. He’ll definitely be on the practice squad.
10. T.J. Edwards
Edwards, like Alex Singleton, has been a magnet for the football this preseason. Edwards and L.J. Fort looked dominant on defense together against the Ravens and another stud performance could put the Wisconsin rookie clearly on the roster bubble. With Zach Brown, Nigel Bradham and Kamu Grugier-Hill entrenched as starters, Edwards and Fort will fight for the final linebacker spots along with Nate Gerry. The Eagles would have to risk losing Edwards if they place him on the practice squad.
