Eagles Early Projection for 53 Man Roster

The Philadelphia Eagles draft season is over and their training season has begun. While there is certainly still quite a while until the Eagles need to lock in their roster, it is never to early to think about who might be a part of that final roster. A lot of incoming talent could make some decisions very tough for the Eagles. We could see some former favorites get the boot if there is young talent that steps up.

Quarterbacks: 

1. Sam Bradford
2. Chase Daniel
3. Carson Wentz (R)

The no brainer category here, we see most teams in the NFL go with two or three quarterbacks on their roster and with the investments that the Eagles have made at the quarterback position. There is talent, there is drama, this is the spot to watch in Philly, but barring an unforeseen change this should be the roster at quarterback.

Runningbacks:

1. Ryan Mathews
2. Darren Sproles
3. Wendell Smallwood (R)
4. Byron Marshall (R)

Without Chip Kelly here that extra push for keeping Kenjon Barner will not be there. The Eagles have enough talent in the return game and the run game that they don’t need him and they do need a fullback. Now an option could be Ryan Mueller, the only true fullback on the roster for a team that needs a fullback. However I believe that Marshall’s flexibility to play running back and wide receiver gets him the nod and tight end Trey Burton ends up at fullback.

Wide Receivers:

1. Jordan Matthews
2. Reuben Randle
3. Nelson Agholor
4. Josh Huff
5. Chris Givens
6. Hunter Sharp (R)

The top four here is pretty much a lock from a talent and investment standpoint. The Eagles have to add Chris Givens on here as their deep threat, and Hunter Sharp is a versatile and talented receiving threat who should’ve been drafted. Sharp has the talent to make this roster, and I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s over Givens.

Tight End:

1. Zach Ertz
2. Brent Celek
3. Trey Burton

The second easiest category to predict is tight end. Ertz and Celek are as easy locks as it gets and Burton isn’t far behind, especially if he’s doubling as a fullback.

Offensive Line:

1. Jason Peters
2. Lane Johnson
3. Jason Kelce
4. Brandon Brooks
5. Allen Barbre
6. Stefen Wisniewski
7. Isaac Seumalo
8. Halapoulivaati Vaitai
9. Dennis Kelly

The offensive line could go in a lot of different directions. With these projections, a lot of contributing veterans like Andrew Gardner will not make the roster.

Defensive Line:

1. Brandon Graham
2. Connor Barwin
3. Vinny Curry
4. Fletcher Cox
5. Bennie Logan
6. Beau Allen
7. Bryan Braman
8. Marcus Smith
9. Aziz Shittu (R)
10. Alex McCallister (R)

The Eagles have a strong defensive line. There is a lot of talent here, but it really sits at the the top. I am not convinced that McCallister will make the roster because he has some off field issues that his talent needs to overcome. There are some other options like Connor Wujciak who could win a job.

Linebackers: 

1. Mychal Kendricks
2. Jordan Hicks
3. Nigel Bradham
4. Joe Walker
5. Myke Tavarres (R)

Kendricks, Hicks and Bradham are locks to make the roster. I think that Walker is going to make the roster only because of his special teams value. Najee Goode is always an option, but with his on-again off-again relationship with the Eagles roster, I’d say a young guy here with way more potential, like Tavarres, gets the nod.

Cornerback:

1. Nolan Carroll
2. Eric Rowe
3. Leodis McKelvin
4. Ron Brooks
5. JaCorey Shepherd
6. Blake Countess (R)

There are not a lot of options at cornerback, and while Jalen Mills is starting off here, I think he makes the roster as a safety who plays corner. Countess makes the roster over CFL standout Aaron Grymes among other because of a weird infatuation the Eagles have with him, that and his athleticism.

Safety:

1. Malcolm Jenkins
2. Rodney McLeod
3. Jalen Mills
4. Chris Maragos

Jenkins and McLeod are highly paid and highly talented starters, but boy is the drop off steep after them. Mills has a lot of talent and will make this roster whether at cornerback or safety. Meanwhile Maragos makes it with his special teams value.

Specialists:

1. Cody Parkey
2. Donnie Jones
3. Jon Dorenbos

These three are also locks, assuming Parkey comes back from his injury successfully. If Parkey cannot return to form, I have to believe that the Eagle kicker is not on their roster because Caleb Sturgis is not the answer.

Next: Everett Golson Among the Rookies At The Philadelphia Eagles Minicamp