The NFL Draft is over, free agency is long gone, and for the most part, your 2019 Eagles are all already in Philadelphia.
Sure, a trade could be made, especially with Howie Roseman running the show. But after drafting five players in the 2019 NFL Draft, the Eagles' roster is now essentially set as the team prepares for the next six weeks of OTAs.
OTAs matter to the Eagles, and how a player performs during them could dictate how much he plays in training camp or during the regular season. It could also be the difference between them entering training camp competing for a roster spot or having one locked up.
With that in mind, here is how I see each player on the roster heading into this crucial part of the offseason.
Long shots (17): B.J. Bello, Josh Hawkins, Carlton Agudosi, Tyreek Burwell, Anthony Fabiano, Johnny Holton, Mercy Maston, Jeremiah McKinnon, Marken Michel, Braxton Miller, Dorren Miller, Donnel Pumphrey, Alex Singleton, Will Tye, Charles Johnson, Luiz Perez, Greg Ward
Analysis: Of all the players on this list, the four with the best shot of making the roster are likely Fabiano, Sullivan, Pumphrey and Ward. All have had experience with the team over the last year, and the Eagles continue to bring them back, a sign they still see something in them. Still, if any of the players on this list make the team, it will be because of injuries to some of the players above them on the depth chart. The practice squad should be the goal for these players — at least the ones that still have eligibility.
On the bubble (20): Josh Adams, Nate Gerry, Shelton Gibson, Daeshon Hall, Deiondre' Hall, Bruce Hector, Treyvon Hester, Boston Scott, Mack Hollins, Joshua Perkins, Josh Sweat, Paul Worrilow, Joe Ostman, Andrew Sendejo, Wendell Smallwood, Corey Clement, Godwin Igwebuike, Hassan Ridgeway, Tre Sullivan, Clayton Thorson
Analysis: These players were likely monitoring the draft closely, and for some of them, they didn't like what they saw. Hollins was directly impacted by the decision to draft Arcega-Whiteside. There is now one less roster spot available at receiver, and the Eagles have a new tall receiver to develop on the outside. Special teams are going to be crucial for Hollins in is attempt to secure a roster spot. The same can be said for the running backs in the group. Clement is the closest one to a roster spot locked up, but coming off of a season-ending knee injury, he will need to show he is completely healthy and back to the player he was in 2017. Once he shows that, his spot will be locked up, and Adams and Smallwood will fight for the final spot. Scott shouldn't be counted out either, as the Eagles clearly saw something in him last season. The battle at running back will be a good one in training camp.
Waiting To Find Out (1): Chris Long
Analysis: Long has told the Eagles to plan as if he isn't coming back, but until Week 1 is here and Long isn't on the roster, it should be considered a possibility he will return. The Eagles need Long back at defensive end, and it is hard to understand why they won't give him the larger role he is looking for, considering he has been arguably their most consistent defensive end over the last two seasons.
Locks (42): Nelson Agholor, J.J. Arcega-Whiteside, Nigel Bradham, Brandon Brooks, Zach Brown, Fletcher Cox, Vinny Curry, Ronald Darby, Andre Dillard, Rasul Douglas, Jake Elliott, Zach Ertz, L.J. Fort, Dallas Goedert, Brandon Graham, Kamu Grugier-Hill, Jordan Howard, DeSean Jackson, Malik Jackson, Alshon Jeffery, Timmy Jernigan, Malcolm Jenkins, Lane Johnson, Cameron Johnston, Sidney Jones, Jason Kelce, Cre'Von LeBlanc, Rick Lovato , Avonte Maddox, Shareef Miller, Jason Peters, Matt Pryor, Miles Sanders, Isaac Seumalo, Nate Sudfeld, Richard Rodgers, Halapoulivaati Vaitai, Derek Barnett, Jordan Mailata, Rodney McLeod, Jalen Mills, Carson Wentz
Analysis: It would be shocking if any of these players aren't on the roster next season, and although new players will be added, these players will have the biggest impact on how the 2019 season plays out. Having 41 locks this early on in the offseason is unusually high compared to last year, a sign of just how veteran-heavy this team is.
You can reach Eliot Shorr-Parks on Twitter at @EliotShorrParks or email him at esp@94wip.com!
