It's the most wonderful time of the year.
Sundays in Philadelphia are awesome, the rollercoaster of the season is great, and more times than not, the Eagles end their season with playoff football. So the awesomeness that is football in Philadelphia has plenty of fun and interesting moments coming up.
When it comes to the best time of the year, however, nothing beats training camp.
Training camp begins this week in Philadelphia, with the Eagles reporting on Tuesday and beginning practice on Wednesday.
It is going to be not only our first look at the team as they prepare for the 2022 season but also our first look at where the players on the roster stand. The unofficial depth chart will be on display during practices, giving us a look at what players are starters, what players are back-ups and what players are going to be fighting for a roster spot.
So where do things stand heading into the week?
Here is how I'd break the roster down.
An explanation of each category:
Lock: These players will be making the roster unless they are traded for something of value. They won't be outright cut.
Bubble: Fighting for a roster spot, but if cuts were today, would have a chance of making it.
Long Shot: If cuts were today they would not make the team and face an uphill battle to earn a roster spot.
Quarterback (4):
Lock (2): Jalen Hurts, Gardner Minshew
Bubble (1): Carson Strong
Long Shot (1): Reid Sinnett
Analysis: The quarterback position will remain one of the top topics in Philadelphia, but when it comes to roster moves, there isn't much debate. Hurts will start. Minshew is the backup. Reid Sinnett and Carson Strong will battle it out for the third quarterback spot, with Strong having the financial advantage at this point considering the signing bonus the team gave him as an undrafted free agent. The Eagles are likely hoping Strong wins the job over Sinnett.
Running Back (5):
Lock (3): Miles Sanders, Kenny Gainwell, Boston Scott
Bubble (1): Kennedy Brooks
Long Shot (1): Jason Huntley
Analysis: The Eagles are going to carry more than three running backs. The leader for the fourth roster spot right now is likely Kennedy Brooks, the UDFA from Oklahoma that the team liked enough to give $240,00 guaranteed to bring in. Jason Huntley is a long shot, considering he has been on the roster for two seasons now without ever actually playing meaningful snaps. It is kind of interesting the team only has five running backs on the roster right now, considering they likely won't want their key guys — Sanders, Gainwell and Scott — getting many touches before Week 1.
Wide Receiver (11):
Lock (4): Devonta Smith, A.J. Brown, Quez Watkins, Zach Pascal
Bubble (2): Jalen Reagor, Greg Ward,
Long Shot (5): Devon Allen, Deon Cain, Britain Covey, John Hightower, Keric Wheatfall
Analysis: When the Eagles opened training camp in 2020 their top two receivers were an injured Alshon Jeffery and an old DeSean Jackson. Now, they have one of the top receiving duos in the NFL. A result of adding AJ Brown is that the Eagles are now deeper at receiver as well, with the top four pretty much locked in and all having pretty defined roles. Reagor will have to earn a spot in training camp, but is the favorite at this point to earn the fifth roster spot at receiver. Greg Ward could make it, as he is a favorite of Hurts and Nick Sirianni, but once again isn't a lock to make the roster. Britain Covey will only make it if he shows he can be a difference maker as a returner right away. Devon Allen and Deon Cain are two players to keep an eye on as guys that could play their way out of the Long Shot category.
Tight End (7):
Lock (2): Dallas Goedert, Jack Stoll
Bubble (4): J.J. Arcega-Whiteside, Grant Calcaterra, Tyree Jackson, Richard Rodgers
Long Shot (1): Noah Togiai
Analysis: The Eagles are going to want to keep at least three tight ends. Goedert and Stoll are the only locks, J.J. Arcega-Whiteside is probably the leader for the second spot considering his special teams value. Tyree Jackson's ACL injury complicates things. If he was healthy he would be a lock to make the roster. Now, it is possible Grant Calcaterra could sneak onto the roster. Whether Calcaterra or Jackson will make it through waivers could end up being a key question come roster cutdown day. Richard Rodgers once again is on the roster as the safe option if all the other options the team is hopeful about fail.
Offensive Line (16):
Lock (8): Jordan Mailata, Landon Dickerson, Jason Kelce, Isaac Seumalo, Lane Johnson, Jack Driscoll, Andre Dillard, Cam Jurgens
Bubble (4): Brett Toth, Sua Opeta, Kayode Awosika, Jack Anderson
Long Shot (4): Jarrid Williams, Le'Raven Clark, William Dunkle, Josh Sills,
Analysis: Offensive line is the deepest and most talented position on the roster. It is possible Dillard is traded, but considering that both Mailata and Johnson missed time last season, the Eagles will want to hold onto the backup tackle. Sua Opeta, Jack Anderson and Kayode Awosika will compete for the final two spots.
EDGE Rushers (9):
Lock (4): Brandon Graham, Haason Reddick, Josh Sweat, Derek Barnett
Bubble (3): Tarron Jackson, Kyron Johnson, Patrick Johnson
Long Shot (2): Matt Leo, Ali Fayad
Analysis: You can debate if some of the "linebackers" belong in this carroty, but let's be honest — Reddick might technically be a linebacker, but in reality he is an edge rusher, and will impact the snaps of the other defensive ends. Guys who will be tasked with getting the quarterback will be competing for roster spots with other guys expected to do the same, regardless of position title. There really aren't many questions at this position. Tarron Jackson, if you consider him an EDGE, is on the roster bubble. He seems better suited to rush standing up, which could help his chances to make the team if the Eagles do indeed run more of a 3-4 front. Kyron Johnson could be viewed more as an edge rusher, but initially he will make the roster for his special teams role. He is pretty close to a lock to make the team.
Defensive Tackle (8):
Lock (4): Fletcher Cox, Javon Hargrave, Milton Williams, Jordan Davis
Bubble (2): Marlon Tuipulotu, Renell Wren
Long Shot (2): Marvin Williams, Kobe Smith
Analysis: Whether the Eagles do indeed run more of a 3-4 front as opposed to a 4-3 won't really impact the top of defensive tackle depth chart that much. Cox, Hargrave, Williams and Davis will make the team. The question will be whether the Eagles will keep five-or-six at this position. Six might seem deep, but with Cox and Hargrave potentially gone in 2023, the Eagles won't want to let too many young players go through waiver.
Linebacker (7):
Lock (3): Kyzir White, TJ Edwards, Nakobe Dean
Bubble (3): Shaun Bradley, Jacoby Stevens, Davion Taylor
Long Shot (1): Christian Elliss
Analysis: The Eagles linebacker spot looks much better than it did this time last year. White and Edwards are both solid starters with upside. Dean is going to have to show he can play in the NFL, but is viewed as one of the steals of the draft. The Eagles are going to start with these three at the top of the rotation. The Eagles could end up keeping five-or-six linebackers, with special teams the deciding factor at the bottom end of the depth chart. Patrick Johnson and Shaun Bradley could earn playing time but will also have to once again be contributing players on special teams. This is the first offseason where Davion Taylor faces a legitimate chance of not making the team. Chances are he starts with the 1st-team defense, but he is going to have to have a great camp to fight off Dean.
Cornerback (12):
Lock (4): Darius Slay, James Bradberry, Avonte Maddox, Zech McPhearson
Bubble (5): Mario Goodrich, Tay Gowan, Josh Jobe, MacMcCain, Jimmy Moreland
Long Shot (3): Josh Blackwell, Josiah Scott, Kary Vincent
Analysis: The Eagles said repeatedly they wanted to see the young cornerbacks battle it out for playing time, but after signing James Bradberry, that won't be happening. Slay, Bradberry and Maddox will be the starting three cornerbacks. The only battle for playing time will be among the backups, with McPhearson a lock to make the roster, but not a lock to get the top backup spot. Kary Vincent Jr., Tay Gowan, Josiah Scott, Jimmy Moreland, Josh Jobe, Mario Goodrich and Mac McCain are likely competing for two roster spots. The Eagles will likely be keeping any cornerback that doesn't make the roster on their practice squad. Josiah Scott has some secondary versatility which might help him if other young cornerbacks fail.
Safety (7):
Lock (2): Marcus Epps, Jaquiski Tartt
Bubble (3): Andre Chachere, Anthony Harris, K'Von Wallace
Long Shot (2): Reed Blankenship, Jared Mayden,
Analysis: The safety spot is wide open right now, which is a positive for the players on the depth chart, but an issue for the team. Epps will be on the team, whether it is as a starter or as the top backup should they make a trade for a starting safety from another team. Tartt is probably the only other lock, because even though he was signed late in training camp, his decision to pick the Eagles likely came with some kind of guarantee he would get a real chance at playing time. Anthony Harris is close to a lock, but he got very little guaranteed money, and could be cut if he has a bad training camp after losing some snaps late in the season last year. Andre Chachere is close to a lock because of his special teams play, but could get some playing time on defense with a strong offseason. An interesting player to watch will be K'Von Wallace, who has the chance to get plenty of snaps with a strong offseason, but also could be cut if he doesn't carve out a role for himself in the secondary.
Special Teams (3):
Lock (2): Jake Elliott, Rick Lovato
Bubble (1): Arryn Siposs
Long Shot:
Analysis: Arryn Siposs is the only punter on the roster right now, but it wouldn't be surprising at all if the Eagles bring in a punter to compete with him in training camp.
You can reach Eliot Shorr-Parks on Twitter at @EliotShorrParks or email him at esp@94wip.com
