Eagles 53-man roster prediction: Post-OTAs and minicamp projection

We previously published a Philadelphia Eagles 53-man roster prediction prior to their spring practices. Since then, we’ve learned more about the team through watching their OTAs and minicamp. And so now it’s time for an updated projection that accounts for the winners, losers, and I don’t knows of the spring offseason workout program. We’ll learn even more about the Eagles through training camp practices and preseason games but, for now, here’s a look at how the roster is shaping up.

OFFENSE

QUARTERBACK: Jalen Hurts, Tanner McKee, Kyle McCord (3) [3]

Hurts looked sharp in the spring. McKee fared well as QB2. McCord outperformed Dorian Thompson-Robinson and appears to be in the lead for the emergency third quarterback role.

RUNNING BACK: Saquon Barkley, Will Shipley, AJ Dillon (3) [6]

It remains to be seen how effective Barkley will be coming off such a huge workload. It’s hard to bet against him, though. Shipley has the potential to be more of a factor in the passing game than Kenny Gainwell was as RB2 last year. Does Dillon definitely make the roster? Only keeping two running backs seems too cute but I don’t know if the former second-round pick is a lock.

FULLBACK: Ben VanSumeren (1) [7]

The Eagles converted BVS from linebacker to fullback. He’s shown intriguing potential as a lead blocker. We’ll see if he gets any offensive touches.

WIDE RECEIVER: A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, Jahan Dotson, Terrace Marshall, Avery Williams, Danny Gray (6) [13]

Brown, Smith, Dotson, Marshall, and Gray are the Eagles’ five best receivers right now. The latter of those two not being proven on special teams is a drawback. Williams didn’t participate in spring practices but he’s potentially going to return both kicks and punts for the Eagles. In all likelihood, at least one of Johnny Wilson and/or Ainias Smith will probably make the roster since it’s hard to see the team giving up on two picks from the 2024 NFL Draft. But I’m not sure they’ll deserve to make it based on merit alone.

TIGHT END: Dallas Goedert, Grant Calcaterra, Harrison Bryant (3) [16]

None of these players are signed beyond the 2025 season but, hey, that’s a problem for the 2026 Eagles. Goedert is good when he’s healthy. Calcaterra has pass-catching ability but must be better as a blocker. Neither Bryant nor Kylen Granson really created separation for the TE3 job during spring practices. Nick Muse is a long shot to keep an eye on after he really impressed by making flashy catches in OTAs and minicamp. The Eagles probably don’t need to keep four tight ends while also keeping a fullback.

OFFENSIVE LINE: Jordan Mailata, Landon Dickerson, Cam Jurgens, Tyler Steen, Lane Johnson, Matt Pryor, Kenyon Green, Drew Kendall, Trevor Keegan, Myles Hinton (10) [26]

Steen took all the first-team reps at right guard during the spring. If he’s able to avoid losing his spot, the starting offensive line is set. I’m predicting the Eagles to do some roster chicanery with Kendall Lamm by temporarily cutting the vested veteran and then quickly re-signing him to allow them to stash a younger player on injured reserve during the cuts deadline. Lamm could be the top swing tackle. Pryor appears to be the top backup guard option ... or at least on the right side. It’s also possible he overtakes Steen if the 2023 third-round pick disappoints. Green doesn’t appear to be in starting contention. Kendall should really be the backup center since Brett Toth simply can’t snap the football. Keegan might be in jeopardy of being cut prior to his second season but we’re keeping him on for now. Hinton seems more ready to play now than fellow rookies Cameron Williams (whom we have the Eagles stashing on IR) and Hollin Pierce. And Jeff Stoutland seemed pretty excited by the Hinton draft pick.

DEFENSE

EDGE RUSHER: Nolan Smith, Jalyx Hunt, Azeez Ojulari, Joshua Uche, Antwaun Powell-Ryland (5) [31]

Vic Fangio talked about Smith and Hunt first when asked about the Eagles’ edge rusher outlook. The Birds are counting on these young disruptions to continue to develop. Ojulari can be a solid contributor if he can stay healthy. Uche drew praise from teammates and coaches for his spring program performance. APR probably isn’t suited to be a full-time player but he definitely has pass rush potential. Patrick Johnson might push for a roster spot just like he did last summer.

DEFENSIVE TACKLE: Jalen Carter, Moro Ojomo, Jordan Davis, Ty Robinson, Thomas Booker (5) [36]

Carter played a ton of snaps last year and Fangio doesn’t seem ready to pull back on the 24-year-old star. Ojomo played the third-most DT snaps of any Eagles interior defender last year and he figures to see a bigger role now with Milton Williams gone. The Eagles need more out of Davis than they’ve seen to this point. Robinson could be a solid rotational contributor as a rookie. Booker played well in a small sample size last year. Byron Young and Gabe Hall could challenge for a roster spot.

OFF-BALL LINEBACKER: Zack Baun, Jeremiah Trotter Jr., Jihaad Campbell, Smael Mondon Jr. (4) [40]

It’ll be interesting to see how Baun follows up his All-Pro 2024 season. Trot Jr. is currently the favorite to start next to Baun until whichever of Campbell or Nakobe Dean (likely the former) is ready to play. Campbell must first earn Fangio’s trust, which could be a challenge if he misses a portion of training camp ... which might happen. Mondon Jr. figures to be a depth player and special teams contributor as a rookie. Dallas Gant is a prime contender to be temporarily elevated from the practice squad to the game day roster early in the season to help provide more LB depth.

CORNERBACK: Quinyon Mitchell, Cooper DeJean, Kelee Ringo, Adoree’ Jackson, Mac McWilliams (5) [45]

Mitchell and DeJean are currently the starting outside cornerbacks in the Eagles’ base defense, which they’ll probably only use for about seven snaps or so per game. DeJean figures to otherwise play at nickel cornerback. Ringo is currently ahead of Jackson in the battle for the outside cornerback job opposite of Mitchell in the Eagles’ nickel defense. McWilliams saw some spring snaps as the second-team slot CB and he often played on the outside in college. The Eagles could keep Eli Ricks ... but he’s entering the last year of his rookie deal. It could make sense to trade him for more depth at another position.

SAFETY: Reed Blankenship, Andrew Mukuba, Sydney Brown, Andre’ Sam, Tristin McCollum (5) [50]

Blankenship is starting. The question is: who will be next to him? We’re projecting Mukuba to beat out Brown since the rookie is already splitting first-team reps. It’s worth noting that Fangio said DeJean could seem some playing time at safety in the Eagles’ base defense, though that’s not a package we saw in the spring. Fangio mentioned McCollum is in the mix with Mukuba and Brown for a starting safety job but it was Sam who took more first-team reps in the spring. For now, we’ll say the Eagles keep five here. It’s also possible they later add a veteran (see: Justin Simmons) if the young players don’t step up.

SPECIAL TEAMS

KICKER: Jake Elliott (1) [51]

Elliott could be poised to bounce back in 2025.

PUNTER: Braden Mann (1) [52]

Mann is entering a contract season.

LONG SNAPPER: Charley Hughlett (1) [53]

Hughlett is only the Eagles’ third full-time LS since 2006.

INJURY DESIGNATIONS

PHYSICALLY UNABLE TO PERFORM LIST (PUP): Nakobe Dean

Dean suffered a torn patellar tendon on January 12. Speaking in early June, Vic Fangio said the fourth-year linebacker “won’t be back for a while.” If Dean does indeed go on the reserve/PUP list, he’ll automatically miss the first four games of the season.

INJURED RESERVE (ELIGIBLE TO RETURN): Ainias Smith, Cameron Williams

The Eagles stashed Smith away on IR last year. I could see Howie Roseman doing it again to avoid giving up on a 2024 draft pick. As a developmental tackle, Williams seems like a prime phantom injury candidate to be stashed on IR.

PRACTICE SQUAD

QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson, RB Lew Nichols, RB Montrell Johnson Jr., WR Darius Cooper, WR Taylor Morin, TE Kylen Granson, TE Nick Muse, OL Brett Toth, OT Hollin Pierce, EDGE Ochaun Mathis, EDGE KJ Henry, DT Byron Young, LB Dallas Gant, CB Eli Ricks, CB Parry Nickerson, S Maxen Hook.