While the Philadelphia Eagles would have liked to get at least one in the preseason, they still ended it in a disappointing 30-13 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals and finished 0-3.
The preseason is already in the rearview mirror for the Eagles, as the focus is now on finalizing the 53-man roster. This will be the franchise's toughest preseason yet, with so many standout performances and multiple position battles that the Bengals preseason game didn't settle, even though fans wanted them decided there.
In the final 53-man roster prediction, the Eagles address the quarterback position with a trade, and the defense is loaded with a ton of talent. Here is the final prediction on who made the team and who missed the cut.
Final Philadelphia Eagles 53-man roster prediction for the 2026 season
Specialists (3): Jake Elliott (K), Braden Mann (P), Rocco Underwood (LS)
This comes as no surprise, since this has been the lineup since the start of training camp. Elliott had a strong close to the preseason, closing with two made field goals, one of which was a 56-yarder. For the moment, the Eagles are looking good for the regular season on special teams.
Defensive Linemen (6): Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis, Moro Ojomo, Byron Young, Ty Robinson, Uar Bernard
Robinson was the group's star after the great preseason and could find himself in the starting lineup. Bernard ends up making it as well, despite a shaky preseason, but his upside is too good to give up for another team to claim off waivers.
Edge Rushers (6): Jonathan Greenard, Jalyx Hunt, Nolan Smith Jr., A.J. Epenesa, Arnold Ebiketie, Joshua Weru
Hunt had an incredible training camp and more than solidified his spot in the starting lineup. The first five names on the list were locks to be on the roster.
Weru, Keyshawn James-Newby, and Jose Ramirez were the three fighting for the final roster spot. James-Newby missed too much time in training camp despite being a draft pick, and Ramirez had a great preseason but feels more like a practice squad member. In the end, Weru showed enough potential to help himself lock in a roster spot.
Inside Linebackers (4): Zack Baun, Jihaad Campbell, Jeremiah Trotter Jr., Smael Mondon Jr.
These four are the locks to make the roster, as they have all played really well. Trotter and Mondon made significant strides in training camp, with Trotter making a strong case for himself in the rotation alongside Baun and Campbell.
The biggest question is Chance Campbell, whom Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio has been a fan of. Because of what else this roster needs right now, Campbell ultimately misses the cut, but would be brought back on the practice squad.
Cornerbacks (6): Quinyon Mitchell, Cooper DeJean, Riq Woolen, Jonathan Jones, Kelee Ringo, Mac McWilliams
Despite Jones missing most of camp with an injury, the Eagles need a veteran in the secondary as a backup. Ringo and McWilliams had rough training camps and preseasons, but something will convince the Eagles to give them a chance. McWilliams is a former draft pick they want to develop, and Ringo is a force on special teams, so that should be enough to save their jobs.
Safeties (3): Andrew Mukuba, Marcus Epps, Michael Carter II
Kapena Gushiken and Maximus Pulley flashed in the preseason, but they look more like practice squad candidates. Cole Wisniewski's injury in training camp put him too far behind to be legitimately considered for the 53-man roster.
The real question from the group is who will start between Epps and Carter. While Carter made more highlight plays, Fangio acknowledged that Carter needs more reps, so it certainly feels like Epps will be the Week 1 starter alongside Mukuba.
Quarterbacks (3): Jalen Hurts, Tanner McKee, Cole Payton
McKee does end up beating out Dalton for the backup job in the end, as the preseason numbers are in the younger QB's favor. Payton also makes the team as the third-string and development signal-caller, but will also apparently be on special teams, as he was spotted on punt coverage in the final preseason game.
So what happens with Dalton? Well, he will be traded elsewhere, and the Eagles will land a 2027 seventh-round pick just to be done with him and move on.
Running Backs (3): Saquon Barkley, Tank Bigsby, Will Shipley
Barkley and Bigsby were always safe, but the question was about whether Shipley could step up and get the job done at RB3. Shipley more than proved that with how he ran the ball in Week 2 of the preseason against the New England Patriots, which is why he was allowed to sit out of the Bengals game.
Dameon Pierce had a great run at it in the Bengals contest, but after losing most of training camp to his injury, he didn't have enough to prove himself. Carson Steele ended up being the leading receiver on the Eagles, but carrying four running backs feels like it's too much. Pierce and Steele could be candidates for the practice squad if no one claims them off waivers.
Wide Receivers (5): DeVonta Smith, Dontayvion Wicks, Makai Lemon, Hollywood Brown, Darius Cooper
This was one of the highly debated positions on the roster throughout training camp and the preseason. These five felt like the locks on the roster.
Elijah Moore was the biggest question mark, and he had a really nice camp and preseason. Ultimately, though, the Eagles need more players at other positions, and carrying six receivers feels like a lot given what else they need.
Tight Ends (4): Dallas Goedert, Johnny Mundt, Eli Stowers, Cameron Latu
Goedert, Mundt, and Stowers always felt like the locks on the roster. The Eagles need Goedert to be the top pass-catcher Hurts trusts, and Mundt will help with pass-catching and blocking. Stowers is super raw and will need time this season to sit and learn.
That leaves us with how Latu makes the roster. He's too valuable on special teams and can help with blocking on offense. His ability to be a fullback will help the Eagles' offense in short-yardage situations.
Offensive Linemen (10): Jordan Mailata, Landon Dickerson, Cam Jurgens, Tyler Steen, Lane Johnson, Fred Johnson, Markel Bell, Micah Morris, Willie Lampkin, Drew Kendall
Not many Eagles fans would have thought this would be the offensive linemen who made it among the backups, but it just makes too much sense. Both rookies, Bell and Morris, performed well in their first training camp and preseason, while Fred Johnson was always destined to make it.
Read more: The media needs to stop floating Eagles trade idea at one position
The biggest surprises were Lampkin and Kendall, both of whom dominated the team's last five weeks. Jake Majors deserves a shoutout for a great training camp and preseason as well, but he should be a lock to at least make it on the practice squad.
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