The Eagles report for training camp this week with a 90-player roster.
They should go down to 53 in just a few weeks when they start the 2022 season, so there’s a lot of work to be done.
This year, NFL teams must cut their rosters to 85 players by Aug. 16, 80 players by Aug. 23 and 53 by Aug. 30.
While there are plenty of players who are clinched to make the team, there are roster spots up for grabs this summer. Before those battles take place, here’s my best guess on a 53-man roster for the 2022 season:
Quarterback (3): Jalen Hurts, Gardner Minshew, Carson Strong
There is still a chance that the Eagles will be surprised by a trade offer for Minshew, but it seems more likely that he will return for the 2022 season. This is now a team with hopes of making the playoffs this year and the backup QB position is important. The Eagles might need Minshew to win a game or two for them in 2022. And as long as Strong is healthy, I expect him to beat Reid Sinnett for that No. 3 spot. The Eagles lured Strong to Philly with a ton of guaranteed money as UDFA.
Out: Reid Sinnett
Running Back (3): Miles Sanders, Kenny Gainwell, Boston Scott
These three feel quite safe. Sanders has struggled to stay healthy the past two years, but last season he had a YPC career high. Meanwhile, Gainwell and Scott have proven to be solid collaborators. The Eagles have two other running backs on their 90-man roster fighting for a roster spot that might not exist. Still, one or both could land on the practice squad if the Eagles are down to just three.
Out: Jason Huntley, Kennedy Brooks
Wide receiver (6): AJ Brown, DeVonta Smith, Quez Watkins, Zach Pascal, Jalen Reagor, Britain Covey
The first four are locks. And Brown, Smith, Watkins and Pascal are a good, deep group of wide receivers. After that, things get complicated. Reagor may not deserve another chance, but he’s a former first-round pick and the Eagles may not be willing to give him up just yet, especially since he’d have a higher dead-capital figure if they cut him. Covey might be a surprise, but he impressed his coaches and teammates in the OTAs and he’s the kind of dynamic guy the Eagles haven’t had in a long time. It’s a bit of a luxury to maintain, but it could be fun. After that, maybe Allen could land on the practice squad this season.
Out: Devon Allen, Deon Cain, Josh Hammond, John Hightower, Greg Ward, Keric Wheatfall
Tight End (3): Dallas Goedert, Jack Stoll, Grant Calcaterra
Goedert will be the Eagles’ unquestioned No. 1 tight end this season. He shared that job with Zach Ertz to start the 2021 season. Stoll handled the No. 2 role well last year after the Ertz trade, but he wasn’t asked to catch many balls. That’s where Calcaterra comes in. The sixth-round pick is an F tight end who can run routes like a receiver. The transition from JJAW to tight end is not going to be easy and I have him missing the cut. Also, putting Jackson in the PUP to start the season. The Eagles like it and this is one way to keep it.
Out: JJ Arcega-Whiteside, Richard Rodgers, Noah Togiai
Pup: Tyree Jackson (ACL)
Offensive line (9): Jordan Mailata, Landon Dickerson, Jason Kelce, Isaac Seumalo, Lane Johnson, Andre Dillard, Cam Jurgens, Jack Driscoll, Sua Opeta
Some tough decisions here on the offensive line. The Eagles kept 10 offensive linemen last season, but could afford to go lighter this year given the versatility of some of their backups. There will be competition for those last spots on the list. Kayode Awosika and Le’Raven Clark were the hardest to cut. But Awosika can probably still make the practice squad and Clark is a grandfathered veteran, so the Eagles can play that game and bring him back later to avoid guaranteeing his salary. Although, if Dillard is changed, then Clark will be on the list.
Out: Jack Anderson, Kayode Awosika, Le’Raven Clark, William Dunkle, Josh Sills, Jarrid Williams
Puppy: Brett Toth (ACL)
Defensive tackle (4): Fletcher Cox, Javon Hargrave, Jordan Davis, Milton Williams
These four are locks for the list. Last year’s sixth-round pick Marlon Tuipulotu also has a chance. But don’t sleep with Noah Elliss or Marvin Wilson either. Wilson was a highly touted UDFA last season, but he was in camp with the Browns. And Elliss is a priority for the UDFA this season and he could fill in as backup nose tackle behind Davis. But, for now, both fall short.
Out: Marlon Tuipulotu, Noah Elliss, Marvin Wilson, Renell Wren
Defensive End (4): Brandon Graham, Josh Sweat, Derek Barnett, Tarron Jackson
Splitting the defense into positions is a little more difficult this season because SAM’s defensive ends and linebackers are all grouped together. However, we will separate them here. Matt Leo, the draft from Australia, is the only DE not part of the team.
Out: Matt Leo
SAM linebacker (3): Haason Reddick, Kyron Johnson, Patrick Johnson
Yes, this is heavy for these edge players, but the SAM position is versatile. The Eagles used last-round draft picks in consecutive years with the Johnsons. They may be competing for a job, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see them both make it.
Out: Ali Fayad
Linebacker (5): TJ Edwards, Kyzir White, Nakobe Dean, Davion Taylor, Shaun Bradley
These five feel pretty safe to me and there’s a delivery of them to the two guys getting cut off. Still, the battle of linebackers in training camp will remain intriguing because those five will be competing for roles and playing time.
Out: Christian Elliss, Ja Coby Stevens
Cornerback (6): Darius Slay, James Bradberry, Avonte Maddox, Zech McPhearson, Tay Gowan, Josiah Scott
There are so many cornerbacks on the roster and after the starting trio of Slay, Bradberry and Maddox, they’re all pretty untested. McPhearson was a fourth-round pick last year and he was the primary backup, so I think he keeps that role. Gowan came in the Ertz trade and is a defensive player I hope to see in camp. And Scott can fill the backup nickel spot and be a gunner on the punt team. The toughest cut here was Kary Vincent Jr., who is sweeping fast. But can the Eagles really keep more than six corners? Some of these young people will not be on the list.
Out: Josh Blackwell, Mario Goodrich, Josh Jobe, Mac McCain III, Jimmy Moreland, Kary Vincent Jr.
Security (4): Anthony Harris, Marcus Epps, Jaquiski Tartt, K’Von Wallace
Like the linebacker position, the top three safeties will battle for roles and playing time during camp. But all three feel like relatively safe bets to make the list. That fourth place should be a battle between Wallace and Andre Chachere. Wallace is a former fourth-round pick who hasn’t been able to stay healthy or fight for a consistent role on defense. Chachere is a special teams ace. If he makes it to the team, it will be because of his performance in that role.
Out: Reed Blankenship, Andre Chachere, Jared Mayden
Specialists (3): Jake Elliott, Arryn Siposs, Rick Lovato
The Eagles have no internal competition for Siposs, who struggled last year. The Australian punter is a big part of the field goal operation as a starter, but he needs to be more consistent in his number one job. Some of those shanks late last season were brutal. But for now, these three are back for their second season together.
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