The Eagles are roughly three weeks into training camp, and just about one week into the padded portion of practices.
In a normal training camp, they would have reached another milestone as well.
"We're now at the point," head coach Doug Pederson said on Thursday, "where we would have had two preseason games."
With no preseason games coming due to the COVID-19 pandemic, however, the Eagles are continuing to try to both prepare for Week 1 while also figure out how to construct both their 53-man roster and their 16-man practice squad.
And while cutdown day is still around two weeks away, it seems time might already be running out on for those hoping to make an impression.
"It's time to get some answers on some of our young players," Pederson said.
Here is my roster prediction after one week of camp
:QB (3): Carson Wentz, Nate Sudfeld, Jalen Hurts
Analysis: Obviously the only questions here is who is the backup to Wentz, and if the Eagles bring in another quarterback before Week 1. Pederson is insisting that Sudfeld is the No. 2, but so far in training camp Sudfeld has been essentially splitting reps with Hurts. That competition should be considered open despite what Pederson says. The team's decision to cut Kyle Lauletta likely had to do with the fact he wouldn't be getting any reps in camp. Lauletta coming back on the practice squad should not be ruled out.
RB (4): Miles Sanders, Boston Scott, Corey Clement, Elijah Holyfield
Analysis: The lower-body injuries to both Sanders and Scott will likely cause the Eagles to keep four running backs on the roster. It is clear at this point that Clement has the No. 3 job locked in. He will be making the roster. The battle for the fourth running back spot will come down to either Holyfield or undrafted rookie Michael Warren. Warren has looked impressive in training camp, and has actually gotten more touches (9) than Holyfield (6). Holyfield gets the edge here for now since he was on the roster at the end of last season, but Warren definitely has a chance of landing on the 53-man roster. At this point Adrian Killins seems a long shot, but could be a candidate for the practice squad.
WR (6): DeSean Jackson, Jalen Reagor, J.J. Arcega-Whiteside, Greg Ward, Quez Watkins, John Hightower
Analysis: The Eagles have to be pleased so far with what they have seen so far in camp their young receivers. Both Hightower and Watkins have done an excellent job with the reps they are getting. The duo have combined for eight catches and four touchdowns in three practices. Another standout has been Deontay Burnett, who had caught all six of the passes thrown his way, while also pulling in three touchdowns. Burnett is likely the next-man up at receiver for a roster spot, but should end up on the practice squad — while potentially being called up on game days — if he doesn't make the 53-man roster.
TE (3): Zach Ertz, Dallas Goedert, Joshua Perkins
Analysis: As always, the tight end position is pretty straight forward. The only potential wildcard here is Noah Togiai, who could push Perkins for that third spot. Perkins, however, seems to be far ahead of both Togiai and Caleb Wilson on the depth chart.
OT (3): Andre Dillard, Lane Johnson, Prince Tega Wanogho
Analysis: A new stipulation in the CBA is that teams that dress eight offensive linemen on game days get to keep 48 players active, as opposed to the normal 46. So keeping, and dressing, offensive linemen will be encouraged. Trying to find linemen for the Eagles to keep, however, is not easy. The top two tackles are locks, and Tega Wanogho is likely a lock as well, although he could probably be put on the practice squad if needed. Jordan Mailata has struggled so far in training camp. His roster spot seems to be very much in jeopardy. It is also important to remember that Jason Peters is likely the top backup at tackle.
OG/C (6): Jason Peters, Isaac Seumalo, Jason Kelce, Jack Driscoll, Matt Pryor, Nate Herbig
Analysis: Peters being in the "guard" section of this roster prediction is certainly new, and watching how he adjusts to his position will be very interesting — once he eventually starts practicing at it. The Eagles are somewhat deep at guard if Peters can be a competent starter. Driscoll and Pryor are locks. The wildcard in this group is Nate Herbig, who could make the team if the Eagles decide to go deep at interior offensive line and thin at tackle. Herbig was on the field with the first-team offense this week twice — once when Jason Peters and Jason Kelce weren't practicing, and later on when the team went heavy with six offensive linemen.
DE (5): Brandon Graham, Derek Barnett, Vinny Curry, Josh Sweat, Genard Avery
Analysis: There are plenty of questions, but not much competition, at defensive end. Graham, Barnett, Curry, Sweat and Avery are all locks. It is possible the Eagles keep six defensive ends if they are worried about not being able to get one of their young players — like Casey Toohill — through waivers. Most likely, however, the young trio of Toohill, Shareef Miller and Joe Ostman will end up on the practice squad.
DT (4): Fletcher Cox, Malik Jackson, Javon Hargrave, Hassan Ridgeway
Analysis: The injury to Hargrave, who likely will play in Week 1 but will miss all of training camp with a pectoral injury, could cause the Eagles to keep five defensive tackles. If they do, Anthony Rush feels like the fifth — but we'll put him on the practice squad for now until we get closer to the season and a better read on Hargrave's status.
LB (5): Nate Gerry, TJ Edwards, Davion Taylor, Shaun Bradley, Duke Riley
Analysis: The Eagles are only going to play two linebackers the majority of the time, and so far in camp, it is clear those two will be Gerry and Edwards. Taylor might not be ready to play right away, but his status as a third-round pick locks him into a roster spot. The same should be the case for Bradley, who might be ready in Week 1 to come in and play in obvious running situations. Riley is a strong special teams player. Alex Singleton has been getting some first-team reps, but it is hard to imagine the Eagles will keep six linebackers, or cut one of their young linebackers, to keep him.
CB (6): Darius Slay, Avonte Maddox, Nickell Robey-Coleman, Sidney Jones, Rasul Douglas, Cre'Von LeBlanc
Analysis: There is no competition in the secondary, as the starting five are clear — McLeod and Mills at safety, Robey-Coleman at nickel, and Maddox opposite Slay at cornerback. That has been the team's first-team secondary throughout camp, and barring an injury, that won't be changing. The Eagles likely aren't happy with what they have seen out of Jones and Douglas, as Jones is sidelined with a lower-body injury, and Douglas has had some rough moments so far in camp. One player to keep an eye on is undrafted rookie Michael Jaquet, who has caught the attention of the coaching staff.
S (5): Rodney McLeod, Jalen Mills, Will Parks, K'Von Wallace, Rudy Ford
Analysis: The Eagles have been getting Will Parks on the field a ton so far in camp, and it seems like in all actuality there will be three starting safeties on this defense. All three, plus rookie K'Von Wallace, are locks to make the roster. UDFA Grayland Arnold could end up with a roster spot, but for now, special-teams ace Rudy Ford wins the final safety spot.
ST (3): Jake Elliott, Cameron Johnston, Rick Lovato
Analysis: The Eagles can rest easy knowing they have one of the best kicker, punter, holder trios in the NFL.
PUP: Alshon Jeffery, Brandon Brooks
12 Practice Squad Players (16): WR Deontay Burnett, RB Michael Warren, RB Adrian Killins, LB Dante Olson, CB Craig James, LB Alex Singleton, DE Shareef Miller, OG Sua Opeta, WR Robert Davis, QB Kyle Lauletta, DT Anthony Rush, TE Noah Togiai, C Luke Juriga, DE Casey Toohill, DE Joe Ostman, S Grayland Arnold
You can reach Eliot Shorr-Parks on Twitter at @EliotShorrParks or email him at esp@94wip.com!
