The Eagles get their first off day of training camp on Sunday after completing four physical practices this week.
It is still early, but their first four practices have certainly been informative, giving us our first look at which players the new coaching staff seems to value and what the depth chart on both sides of the ball looks like.
With that in mind, here is how I think the 53-man roster looks:
QB (2): Jalen Hurts, Joe Flacco
Third-string quarterback Nick Mullens has been awesome so far in training camp, but the reality is he simply isn't as important on the roster as making sure one of the younger rookies doesn't have to be exposed to waivers. The Eagles will hope they can get him through waivers and add him to the practice squad.
RB (5): Miles Sanders, Boston Scott, Kenneth Gainwell, Jason Huntley, Kerryon Johnson
The running backs are going to be an important part of Nick Sirianni's offense. That much has been obvious watching the first four practices, but also by the fact they have eight on the roster currently. Sanders, Scott and Gainwell are all locks to make the roster. The question is who the team will keep between Huntley, Johnson and Jordan Howard. Howard has had a great camp, but he doesn't have the speed that Huntley does, and he isn't the pass blocker that Johnson is.
WR (6): DeVonta Smith, Jalen Reagor, Greg Ward, J.J. Arcega-Whiteside, Quez Watkins, Travis Fulgham
The Eagles badly need to add a veteran receiver to the roster. Assuming they don't, however, they will be building the bottom of their depth chart out of young, unproven receivers who — as of now — haven't really been taking part in practice. Smith and Reagor are clear locks, with Ward pretty close to a lock as well despite being limited in practice so far. There hasn't been a standout moment in camp so far for Arcega-Whiteside, Watkins or Fulgham, but they likely have the edge right now over John Hightower, Michael Walker and Andre Patton. Again — the Eagles need to add a veteran to this group.
TE (3): Dallas Goedert, Richard Rodgers, Tyree Jackson
The Eagles continue to insist Zach Ertz will be on the roster. They are a better team with him on the roster, but I'll believe it when I see it. Jackson has been one of the standout players of camp so far and the team shouldn't risk placing him on waivers.
OL (10): Lane Johnson, Brandon Brooks, Jason Kelce, Isaac Seumalo, Jordan Mailata, Andre Dillard, Jack Driscoll, Luke Juriga, Matt Pryor, Nate Herbig
So far in camp it seems like Herbig and Pryor are the top two backup offensive linemen, as they have been getting the first-team reps with Issac Seumalo and Brandon Brooks sidelined due to injury. Who will win the left-tackle battle remains to be seen, but whoever ends up being the backup will be on the roster barring a trade. The Eagles will keep Driscoll as their backup right tackle, and because of the injury to Seumalo, they could decide to keep Juriga as their backup center.
DT (4): Fletcher Cox, Javon Hargrave, Marlon Tuipulotu, Milton Williams
The Eagles depth at defensive tackle is not good. They have a collection of veterans who have never really shown they deserve quality snaps and rookies who they don't want to cut. What they don't have is a player who they can trust to go in and play like a starter if they need to. This could cause them to go thin at defensive tackle, and consider Williams one of their top backups at the position, with the plan to move some of their defensive ends inside on passing downs.
DE (4): Brandon Graham, Derek Barnett, Ryan Kerrigan, Josh Sweat
The first four players at defensive end are locks. Williams — listed as a defensive tackle — is a lock as well to play some snaps at end. The question is whether Jackson shows enough during the preseason games to earn a roster spot. He hasn't flashed yet at practice, and the Eagles won't want to cut a defensive end they drafted, especially with none of the top four ends a lock to be on the team in 2022.
LB (6): Eric Wilson, Alex Singleton, TJ Edwards, Davion Taylor, Shaun Bradley, Genard Avery
The Eagles keeping six linebackers seems like a lot — but they might for two reasons. First, they aren't going to cut Wilson, Singleton, Taylor or Bradley. Edwards, who has had a strong camp, is also close to a lock. The Eagles have been using Avery a lot with the first-team defense in a stand-up pass rusher role, and it seems either him or Joe Ostman will be making the team. Avery gets the spot for now but it wouldn't be surprising at all if Ostman found his way onto the roster.
CB (6): Darius Slay, Steven Nelson, Avonte Maddox, Zech McPhearson, Josiah Scott, Michael Jacquett
The Eagles plan at cornerback seems to be coming into focus now after an offseason of wondering what they were going to do. Slay and Nelson will start on the outside. Jacquett and McPhearson will be the top backups. Maddox will start in the slot and Scott will be the top backup. It is possible Craig James makes his way onto the roster as a top outside backup and special-teams ace, but for now, he is the last cut at the position.
S (4): Anthony Harris, Andrew Adams, K'Von Wallace, Rodney McLeod
McLeod hasn't practiced yet but he seems to be on track to play in Week 1, and at the very least, won't be starting the season on the PUP. The Eagles could keep five safeties if they have concern about McLeod's ability to play meaningful snaps in Week 1. If they do, look for Marcus Epps — who has been getting first-team snaps with Adams and McLeod sidelined — to make the roster.
ST (3): Jake Elliott, Arryn Siposs, Rick Lovato
The last few years this has been one of the easiest positions on the roster to project. With Cameron Johnston gone, however, that is no longer the case. These jobs will be decided during the preseason games. If either Elliott or Siposs looks shaky the Eagles will be quick to bring in competition for either one.
PUP: Landon Dickerson, Le'Raven Clark
You can reach Eliot Shorr-Parks on Twitter at @EliotShorrParks or email him at esp@94wip.com!
