We have really been paying attention to ten Eagles on the back half of the 90-man training camp roster. You should do the same.
We made it! We have successfully navigated the emotions of a close Super Bowl loss. Then, we tackled the offseason. The Philadelphia Eagles have conquered the most recent NFL Scouting Combine, the Senior Bowl, Pro Days, and top 30 visits. Then came the 2023 NFL Draft, rookie minicamps, organized team activities, and training camp. On Saturday, there's a game to play.
Philadelphia released its first depth chart this week. There weren't many surprises, if any. For the most part, we have known who most of the locks to make the roster are for months.
Three preseason games will help Philly iron out the back half of their 53-man roster. The first kicks off in hours. Some of the young guys and new faces have a nice opportunity.
With ten practice sessions in our rearview mirror and as we move through August, discussions about the Eagles' roster take center stage. Next up on the schedule is a road date versus the Baltimore Ravens, Here are ten guys to add to your watchlist.
Let's talk about some of the guys on the Eagles' offensive depth chart.
The Eagles have made some additions on offense, but even though the starting lineup won't change, we may see changes with the reserves.
1. Tanner McKee, quarterback
Tanner McKee and Ian Book take up residency as co-QB3's on the first Eagles depth chart. We're ready to state the former has a much higher ceiling than the latter.
If the rookie has a better showing during the preseason, Book may find himself off of the 53-man roster.
2. Trey Sermon, running back
A fan favorite of sorts, Trey Sermon is believed to be the fifth tailback on the depth chart behind, in no particular order, Kenneth Gainwell, D'Andre Swift, Rashaad Penny, and Boston Scott.
Philly's game versus the Ravens will allow him an opportunity to put some distance between himself and Kennedy Brooks, and dare we say it? He may have a chance to place himself in the discussion as one of the top four RBs.
3. Joseph Ngata, wide receiver
Training camp provides opportunities for young hopefuls. They're just asked to make the most of those opportunities when they present themselves. Joseph Ngata has done that and then some.
You want highlights. The six-foot-three, 217-pound wideout provides that. You want consistency? He has shown that as well. Now, we get to see if this translates to in-game action.
The skill positions get love on ever NFL roster. How about we talk about some of the guys that do the dirty work.
Has anyone else noticed the Eagles have a lot of talented offensive linemen and tight ends?
The Eagles are home to the NFL's best offensive line and a young star at tight end (Dallas Goedert). There are, however, some positions that need filling.
4. Tyree Jackson, tight end
Remember this guy? The Philadelphia Eagles haven't given up on the Tyree Jackson experiment yet. When he's healthy, it's easy to see why. He's more athletic and smooth than you would expect a six-foot-seven, 249-pounder to be.
Injuries have thrown wrenches in the operation. Now, the tight end room, one that figures to carry three men on the 53-man roster, is crowded with Jackson, Dallas Goedert, Jack Stoll, Dan Arnold, Grant Calcaterra, and Brady Russell. The competition at this position is officially must-see television.
5. Jack Driscoll, offensive lineman
Jack Driscoll is a lot better than most give him credit for. Unfortunately, he is also in danger of falling victim to the numbers game.
The starting lineup is set with Jordan Mailata, Landon Dickerson, Jason Kelce, Cam Jurgens, and Lane Johnson, Tyler Steen will make the roster as well which means Driscoll is competing with Dennis Kelly, Josh Sills, Brett Toth, Roderick Johnson, Fred Johnson, Cameron Tom, Josh Andrews, Sua Opeta, Tyrese Robinson, and Julian Good-Jones for what might be four available roster spots.
Stay tuned. This should be fun.
Expect to hear some discussion about the Eagles defensive front versus the Ravens.
Offense sells tickets, and well, you know the rest. Here are a handful of guys to watch versus the Ravens. We begin in the trenches.
6. Tarron Jackson, defensive end
In light of Derek Barnett's recent temper tantrum, we have determined it's best to acknowledge that, though he'll make the roster, he's on very thin ice with this current Eagles coaching staff.
Again, Barnett is going to make the team. Tarron Jackson may not, but after making the 53-man roster as a rookie and spending most of his time on the practice squad during his sophomore campaign, it's going to be interesting to see how his coaches value him.
7. Moro Ojomo, defensive tackle
If we put together our own depth charts right now and stacked all seven of the Eagles' defensive tackles, Moro Ojomo might be the sixth, slightly ahead of Noah Elliss and firmly behind Fletcher Cox, Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis, Milton Williams, and Marlon Tuipulotu. That won't earn him a job.
Kentavius Street is listed as a defensive lineman on the Eagles' roster as opposed to being given the designation of defensive end or defensive tackle. Keep an eye on Ojomo. He needs some great showings.
With that, we move along to the linebackers, corners, and safeties.
The Eagles linebacker corps and secondary features new faces and nice opportunities.
The Eagles added new faces to the second level of their defense and their secondary. Here are three with a lot rising on their Saturday night performance.
8. Myles Jack, linebacker
One of the more common phrases used with juggling depth charts is 'last in and first out', meaning the new guys typically have tough hills to climb in terms of earning jobs. That isn't the case with Myles Jack though... or Zach Cunningham for that matter.
They arrived in Philly as two of the more talented players the Birds have at the linebacker position, and if they're healthy and can pick up the scheme quickly (which are big ifs), they'll be on the team come September.
9. Eli Ricks, cornerback
You have been hearing Eli Ricks' name all summer. He sort of joined this team with his own bit of fanfare.
Standing at six-foot-two and tipping the scales at 188 pounds, the former LSU Tiger/Alabama Crimson Tide standout looks the part of an NFL receiver. The questions now are about whether or not he plays like one.
He has a tough hill to climb if he's going to make the roster in all honesty, and if he doesn't, there's no guarantee that the Eagles will be able to sneak him through waivers in September. Keep an eye on this guy all summer long.
10. Justin Evans, safety
Again... You forgot about this guy, didn't you? Justin Evans may have a problem.
Reed Blankenship has taken every first-team snap during training camp. K'Von Wallace has gotten a lot of work with the first team. Sydney Brown is a rookie but will make the team at final cuts.
The Eagles have five safeties on the current training camp roster and one defensive back, Tristin McCollum. The questions are about whether they keep four safeties or five on the 53-man roster, but right now, we'd keep Terrell Edmunds over Evans.
Those are our opinions. You're allowed to have yours. Did we mention this first preseason game will be interesting?