Assessing The Eagles Initial 53-Man Roster
The initial 53-man NFL rosters are set for the upcoming season. Here’s who made the cut for the Philadelphia Eagles:
Quarterback - 3
Jalen Hurts, Kenny Pickett, Tanner McKee
This one is pretty self-explanatory. Jalen Hurts is the franchise quarterback and will try to lead the Eagles back to the Super Bowl. Howie Roseman gave up draft capital to acquire Kenny Pickett to back up Hurts. Tanner McKee has impressed the coaching staff during his first two preseasons in the NFL and will look to be the No. 2 quarterback of the future.
Notable Cuts: Will Grier
Running Back - 3
Saquon Barkley, Kenneth Gainwell, Will Shipley
Another no-brainer position group. Saquon Barkley is one of the most talented running backs in the league and should take the Eagles' offense to new heights if he can manage to stay healthy. Kenneth Gainwell has been a solid contributor when given his opportunities since being drafted in the fifth round of the 2021 NFL Draft. The Eagles spent a fourth-round pick on Will Shipley in the 2024 NFL Draft, and the rookie will look to make the most out of his likely limited opportunities to start his career.
Notable Cuts: Tyrion Davis-Price
Wide Receiver - 5
A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, Jahan Dotson, Johnny Wilson, Britain Covey
A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith are arguably the best wide receiver duo in the league. The No. 3 spot was a toss-up for the majority of training camp before the Eagles acquired former first-round pick Jahan Dotson in an intra-division trade with the Washington Commanders on Aug. 22. Johnny Wilson has impressed the coaching staff after the Eagles used a 2024 sixth-round pick on the 6-foot 6-inch receiver. Britain Covey sees very limited action in the offense, but he’s an excellent punt returner for the Eagles.
Notable Cuts: Parris Campbell, John Ross
Tight End - 2
Dallas Goedert, Grant Calcaterra
Dallas Goedert and Grant Calcaterra were always going to be the two tight ends on the roster. No need for much explanation here.
Notable Cuts: C.J. Uzomah
Offensive Line - 9
Lane Johnson, Mekhi Becton, Cam Jurgens, Landon Dickerson, Jordan Mailata, Tyler Steen, Darian Kinnard, Trevor Keegan, Fred Johnson
The Eagles feature one of the top offensive lines in the NFL. Credit offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland for picking out talent and getting the most out of his guys. Mekhi Becton was a former first-round pick of the New York Jets but never really worked out there. He joined the Eagles on a one-year deal and now is in line to be the starting right guard.
Darian Kinnard was a fifth-round pick by the Kansas City Chiefs in the 2022 NFL Draft. He'll provide depth at the tackle position behind Lane Johnson and Jordan Mailata. Trevor Keegan was selected in the fifth round in the 2024 NFL Draft out of Michigan and had a lot of successful playing experience with the Wolverines. Fred Johnson has been in the Eagles organization since 2022 and, like Kinnard, will provide tackle depth behind the team's stars.
Notable Cuts: Matt Hennessy, Brett Toth
Defensive Line - 6
Jordan Davis, Jalen Carter, Milton Williams, Marlon Tuipulotu, Moro Ojomo, Thomas Booker
The Eagles will begin their first season without Fletcher Cox on the defensive line since the 2011 season after he announced his retirement from the NFL. The defensive line group is very young but also very talented. These young guys need to step up and make a name for themselves without the presence and guidance from Cox by their side.
Notable Cuts: P.J. Mustipher, Gabe Hall
Edge Rusher - 6
Brandon Graham, Josh Sweat, Bryce Huff, Nolan Smith, Jalyx Hunt, Patrick Johnson
The Eagles traded All-Pro Hasaan Reddick to the New York Jets, but they went out and signed Bryce Huff to a huge deal to replace him. Brandon Graham returns for his 15th season with the Eagles and will look to recapture some of his youth in his farewell tour this season. Josh Sweat will look to bounce back from a down year in 2023 and be the 11-sack player he was in 2022.
Nolan Smith will look to prove why he was a first-round pick in 2023 after only recording one sack and 18 tackles in his rookie campaign. The Eagles used a third-round pick on Jalyx Hunt in the 2024 NFL Draft, and he’ll look to earn rotational snaps to try to make an impact in his rookie year. Patrick Johnson was a seventh-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. He has 35 career tackles, including three quarterback hits.
Notable Cuts: Tarron Jackson
Linebacker - 5
Devin White, Nakobe Dean, Zack Baun, Jeremiah Trotter Jr., Ben VanSumeren
The Eagles signed Devin White to a one-year deal after four seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. White was the No. 5 overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft and a leader on the Bucs defense. He made the Pro Bowl in 2021 and will look to make an immediate impact in the Eagles' defense at just 26 years old. Zack Baun signed a one-year deal in the offseason and has done enough to put his name in the starting linebacker conversation to start the season. Nakobe Dean was selected in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft and will look to live up to his potential in his third season.
The Eagles selected Jeremiah Trotter Jr., son of former Eagles linebacker Jeremiah Trotter, in the fifth round of the 2024 NFL Draft. He’ll look to earn his playing time through hard work and special teams during his rookie campaign. Ben VanSumeren signed with the Eagles as an undrafted free agent in 2023 and spent some time on both the practice squad and active roster. He received some snaps on defense but spends most of his time on special teams.
Notable Cuts: Brandon Smith, Julian Okwara
Defensive Back - 11
Darius Slay, Quinyon Mitchell, Kelee Ringo, Isaiah Rodgers, Eli Ricks, Cooper DeJean, C.J. Gardner-Johnson, Reed Blankenship, Avonte Maddox, James Bradberry, Tristin McCollum
This hasn’t been said much over the last few years in Philadelphia, but the Eagles have what should be a deep secondary room. Darius Slay is the obvious No. 1 corner, and the Eagles drafted Quinyon Mitchell No. 22 overall in the 2024 NFL Draft who will look to be an immediate starter either on the outside or in the slot. Avonte Maddox is back for his seventh season with the Eagles looking to secure the slot corner spot or provide depth at both the corner and safety positions.
Kelee Ringo had an impressive rookie season when given his opportunities last year and will look to build on that this season. Isaiah Rodgers was suspended for the 2023 season for violating the NFL’s gambling policy. The Indianapolis Colts released him, and the Eagles decided to take a chance on him. Rodgers is a talented defensive player, but he’s also a dynamic kick returner.
Cooper DeJean was drafted in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft. He was a cornerback in college at Iowa, but he’s athletic enough to play both corner and safety at the NFL level. Eli Ricks was signed by the Eagles as an undrafted free agent in 2023 and quickly became a fan favorite. He played well in limited opportunities on defense and was a solid special teams contributor. He'll likely see the majority of his snaps on special teams in 2024.
The Eagles brought back C.J. Gardner-Johnson on a three-year deal after he spent one season in Detroit. Gardner-Johnson was a key contributor in the Eagles Super Bowl run during the 2022 season in which the team ultimately lost 38-35 to the Chiefs. The 26-year-old is one of the better safeties in the league and will look to pick up right where he left off in Philly two seasons ago. Reed Blankenship has turned into a very well-rounded safety and will be the starter next to Gardner-Johnson.
James Bradberry is trying to resurrect his career as a safety after falling out of the cornerback picture. Nonetheless, he’ll provide solid depth at both the safety and cornerback positions. Tristin McCollum joined the Eagles in 2023 spending time on the practice squad. He saw very limited action on the active roster last year.
Notable Cuts: Josh Jobe, Zech McPhearson
Specialists - 3
Jake Elliott (K), Braden Mann (P), Rick Lovato (LS)
No competition for these guys.
Placed On Injured Reserve & Designated For Return
TE Albert Okwuegbunam
WR Ainias Smith
Placed On The Reserve/Physically Unable To Perform List
S Sydney Brown
Practice Squad - 14
LB Oren Burks
WR Parris Campbell
RB Tyrion Davis-Price
OL Nick Gates
QB Will Grier
DT Gabe Hall
TE E.J. Jenkins
C/G Dylan McMahon
WR Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint
S Andre' Sam
LB Brandon Smith
S Caden Sterns
TE Jack Stoll
T Laekin Vakalahi
Final Word On The Initial 53-Man Roster
On paper, the Eagles will have one of the most talented teams in the NFL this year. It's up to head coach Nick Sirianni, new offensive coordinator Kellen Moore and new defensive coordinator Vic Fangio to put these players in the right situations to succeed and get the most out of each and every guy.
Read More NFL News From Stadium Rant Here: NFL News
MORE FROM STADIUM RANT:
If you enjoyed this article, subscribe to our newsletter here. Check out Stadium Rant Original shows on our Youtube channel and subscribe! Give our socials Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok a follow for more great content!
Comments