The NFL Draft is in the books, an exciting weekend for the hundreds of former college athletes that can now wake up calling themselves professional football players.
For the players already in the NFL, however, the weekend was one where hundreds of jobs were taken away, the reality of teams drafting younger, cheaper players to take over for veterans.
That is certainly the case on the Eagles, who added five players through the draft and players as undrafted free agents as well.
So who is still one the team and who might have lost a spot?
Here is a 53-man roster prediction as we enter the next phase of the NFL offseason:
Quarterback: Carson Wentz, Nate Sudfeld (2)
Analysis: The Eagles said they were going to draft a quarterback, and they did indeed do just that, adding Clayton Thorson in the fifth round. The question isn't if he is going to play this year — things would have to go terribly wrong for him to get in. The question is whether he will be on the roster. Ideally, the Eagles would like to put him on the practice squad. Chances are they will be able to, although it could be a little trickier because he plays quarterback, and teams are always on the look out for talent at that position. The guess here is they are able to push him through.
Running back: Jordan Howard, Corey Clement, Miles Sanders, Wendell Smallwood, Josh Adams (5)
Analysis: So much for Eagles' fans worrying about the running back position. With Howard and Sanders in the fold the Eagles now have the makings of an actual one-two punch at running back. Howard and Sanders are two players that seem interchangeable and might actually make opposing defensive coordinators worry the week before games. The drafting of Sanders likely ends the chances that Sproles comes back. There will be a training camp battle between Smallwood and Adams, but for now, both make the team.
Wide Receiver: Alshon Jeffery, Nelson Agholor, DeSean Jackson, Mack Hollins, J.J. Arcega-Whiteside (5)
Analysis: The top three spots at this position are locked up, barring a surprising trade of Agholor, which no seems less likely with the drat over. The question is what happens behind Jeffery, Agholor and Jackson. Arcega-Whiteside is a lock after being taken in the second round. That is bad news for Hollins, who will still have a decent shot at making the roster, but will have to battle for playing time. It wouldn't be surprising to see the Eagles add another veteran to the team.
Tight Ends: Zach Ertz, Dallas Goedert, Richard Rodgers, Joshua Perkins (4)
Analysis: It is very possible they only go with three tight ends, but for now, we'll give them four since that is what they carried the majority of last season. Ertz and Goedert will get the majority of the playing time. With how much the team plans to have two tight ends out on the field at the same time, however, having two players back who spent all of last season with the team — Rodgers and Perkins — makes sense.
Offensive line: Jason Peters, Brandon Brooks, Jason Kelce, Isaac Seumalo, Lane Johnson, Jordan Mailata, Halapoulivaati Vaitai, Matt Pryor, Andre Dillard (9)
Analysis: Chances are the Eagles end up keeping more than nine offensive linemen. Like receiver, there will either be a veteran added or an undrafted rookie will make the team. There is an argument to be made that the addition of Dillard makes Vaitai slightly more expendable, but considering neither Dillard or Mailata have ever taken a snap in an NFL game, the team would be wise to hold onto him at least until the end of training camp. The drafting of Dillard was bad news for Mailata's chances of getting on the field anytime soon at left tackle.
Defensive line: Brandon Graham, Fletcher Cox, Malik Jackson, Derek Barnett, Vinny Curry, Josh Sweat, Bruce Hector, Timmy Jernigan, Shareef Miller, Hassan Ridgeway (10)
Analysis: The Eagles made two new additions to the defensive tackle spot over the weekend, bringing back Jernigan and trading for Ridgeway. Jernigan is close to a lock to make the team and Ridgeway has a great shot as well. At this point it is going to be hard for any undrafted rookie to come in and make the team, especially since the front office seems to be so high on Joe Ostman, who spent all of last year on the practice squad.
Linebackers: Nigel Bradham, Zach Brown, Kamu Grugier-Hill, Nate Gerry, L.J. Fort (5)
Analysis: The addition of Brown means one linebacker who was previously on the 53-man roster is now likely off. Key contributors on special teams like Gerry and Fort are still safe after the Brown signing. Grugier-Hill likely is as well as a top backup or the third "starting" linebacker. Wisconsin's T.J. Edwards, who has reportedly signed on as an undrafted free agent, is in great position to make the roster. The Brown signing likely impacts Paul Worrilow the most, who now faces an uphill battle to make the team.
Cornerbacks: Jalen Mills, Ronald Darby, Avonte Maddox, Sidney Jones, Cre'Von LeBlanc, Rasul Douglas (6)
Analysis: The question at this position isn't who will be on the roster, but who will be playing and at what position. Will the Eagles gives Douglas a legit shot at starting? Will Maddox be at cornerback or safety? Will LeBlanc be the starting nickel — and when will Darby be ready? The Eagles' decision to not add a cornerback in the draft means they are likely going to be heading into Week 1 with these six cornerbacks.
Safeties: Malcolm Jenkins, Rodney McLeod, Andrew Sendejo, Tre Sullivan (4)
Analysis: The Eagles not adding a safety in the draft was very surprising, considering how many chances they had to take one and the need for a top backup. The decision not to was great news for Sendejo, who now seems to be first in line to make the roster and fill the same role as Corey Graham did last season. Sullivan is currently Sendejo's top competition.
Special teams: Cam Johnston, Jake Elliott, Rick Lovato (3)
Analysis: As always, the special teams are the easiest part of the roster to project — which isn't something the Eagles shouldn't take for granted.
You can follow Eliot Shorr-Parks on Twitter at @EliotShorrParks or email him at esp@94wip.com!
