After wrapping up the offseason workouts and OTAs without significant injuries or distractions, the Eagles will play a football game on Saturday night.
A team with Super Bowl aspirations, the Birds’ rookies and select veterans will look to break Baltimore’s 23-game preseason winning streak, which began in 2016.
Philadelphia returns a revamped defense and the league’s most explosive offensive unit.
We recently revealed an updated version of our 53-man roster prediction, with added surprises and an upset at critical positions.
With kickoff just a few hours away, and several made roster moves, here’s an updated 53-man roster prediction.
Quarterbacks (3)
Jalen Hurts
Marcus Mariota
Tanner McKee —
Position notes: Marcus Mariota will likely start and get about a quarter of action before Ian Book and Tanner McKee battle with actual game reps.
The rookie from Stanford has looked solid during the first week, and after initially leaving a third quarterback off the 53-man roster, McKee gets the nod.
Running Back (4)
Kenneth Gainwell
Rashaad Penny
Boston Scott
D’Andre Swift
Position notes: Saturday night is all about Trey Sermon giving Nick Sirianni and the Eagles coaches something to consider in regards to the running back depth chart.
Wide Receiver (5)
A.J. Brown
DeVonta Smith
Olamide Zaccheaus
Quez Watkins
Britain Covey
Position note: Covey is the final wide receiver on the 53-man roster in early projections, as Philadelphia will have the option to elevate a wide receiver from the practice squad on game week.
Former Clemson star Joseph Ngata gives Brian Johnson a big, physical pass catcher to feature on Saturday night.
TE (3)
Dallas Goedert
Jack Stoll
Tyree Jackson
Position notes: Tyree Jackson has had a strong training camp and he’ll look to have a breakout performance against Baltimore.
Offensive Line (9)
Jordan Mailata
Landon Dickerson
Jason Kelce
Cam Jurgens
Lane Johnson
Dennis Kelly
Jack Driscoll
Sua Opeta
Tyler Steen
Position note: The versatile offensive guard/tackle Jack Driscoll is the primary backup for Lane Johnson but could see his role change drastically with Tyler Steen able to play both positions as well.
Dennis Kelly’s arrival gives Jeff Stoutland another veteran tackle with game experience, and could make Fred Johnson the odd man out.
Saturday night will be about seven guys competing for one final roster spot with Steen, Dricksoll and Kelly being roster locks.
Defensive Line (9)
Josh Sweat
Fletcher Cox
Jalen Carter
Brandon Graham
Jordan Davis
Kentavius Street
Milton Williams
Derek Barnett
Moro Ojomo
Position notes: Davis returns for a more prominent role in year two, and he’s been dominant early-on.
Jalen Carter has already put his game-wrecking abilities on display and Saturday night provides a glimpse of his potential.
Moro Ojomo can play multiple positions, giving him the edge over Marlon Tuipulot and Noah Elliss.
Linebackers (7)
Nakobe Dean
Haason Reddick
Nolan Smith
Patrick Johnson
Shaun Bradley
Myles Jack
Christian Elliss
Position notes: Dean will be one of two starters at middle linebacker, while Christian Elliss continues to elevate his play.
Morrow played every defensive down for the Bears in 2022, but the arrival of Myles Jack signals the end of his stint in Philadelphia.
Cornerback (6)
Darius Slay
James Bradberry
Avonte Maddox
Zech McPhearson
Kelee Ringo
Josh Jobe
Position notes: Slay and Bradberry have looked dominant early-on.
Entering his third year, McPhearson will be the backup in the slot and could push Avonte Maddox for snaps.
A fourth-round pick, Kelee Ringo lands the fifth cornerback role as he continues to develop.
Former Alabama cornerback Josh Jobe saw first team reps when Darius Slay and James Bradberry were out during OTAs.
Safety (4)
Reed Blankenship
Terrell Edmunds
Sydney Brown
K’Von Wallace
Position notes: The 2022 undrafted rookie Blankenship is a clear starter out of four combatants.
A star at Illinois, Brown is a rookie who brings versatility and playmaking prowess.
Safeties in Sean Desai’s defense are positionless, and K’Von Wallace could see time at multiple spots.
Special Teams (3)
Jake Elliott
Rick Lovato
Arryn Siposs
Zentner will battle Arryn Siposs for the punter position, and the veteran and former Auburn Tiger was victorious in Round 1 of OTAs and the first two weeks of training camp.
