Way too early Eagles 53-man roster predictions after the 2024 NFL Draft

Well, you had to know this was coming. The Philadelphia Eagles added nine men by way of the NFL Draft. We gave them grades, and we discussed undrafted rookie free agents. Theirs was a class much smaller than normal.

Now, the attention shifts. Rookie minicamp approaches. We'll have a schedule to dissect at some point. While we wait on both, let's make guesses about the initial roster. Again, you had to know this was coming.

Here's a way too early 53-man roster projection.

NFL teams are now allowed to carry 90 men through every preseason game before they make final cuts ahead of the season. We haven't seen any of the new Eagles play yet. Heck, we don't know if some of these guys can play yet, but that won't stop us from making guesses about who will make the initial 53-man roster now, will it.

Sure, it's the beginning of May. We really don't care. Join us. Let's have some fun.

Also read: Eagles depth chart projection

Quarterbacks (3)

Jalen Hurts (stater), Kenny Pickett, Tanner McKee

Well, that was easy. We've all known this for a while now, right? Okay... Let's move on.

Running Backs (3)

Saquon Barkley (starter), Kenneth Gainwell, Will Shipley

While there's always a chance that Philly will keep four tailbacks, keeping this list at three players gives the Birds room to add an extra body at another position of need.

Wide Receiver (6)

Starters: A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, and Parris Campbell

Reserves: Ainias Smith, Johnny Wilson, Britain Covey

Honestly, we just aren't sure about DeVante Parker of Parris Campbell. They will trade places on every roster projection we concoct between now and the preseason.

Something also tells us that Ainias Smith and Johnny Wilson are good enough to beat out much of what the Eagles currently employ. You never know though. We have been wrong before.

Tight End (3)

Dallas Goedert (starter), C.J. Uzomah, Albert Okwuegbunam

Everyone knows Dallas Goedert is making the team, right? Yep! That's what we thought.

These roster projections can be boring without surprises, so here's our first. McCallan Castles has a chance to have a strong camp and make the roster as a UDFA because of his ability to make plays after the catch.

That will help him outshine Grant Calcaterra and Albert Okwuegbunam. Both honestly haven't done much since arriving. Philly got nothing out of those guys when Goedert was out with injury.

Don't rule out the possibility of Philly keeping four tight ends either. That seems to be a popular theory, but for now, we'll hang on to Albert O. with strong conviction that our opinion may change.

Offensive Line (10)

Starters: Jordan Mailata, Landon Dickerson, Cam Jurgens, Tyler Steen, Lane Johnson

Reserves: Mekhi Becton, Matt Hennessy, Dylan McMahon, Trevor Keegan, Fred Johnson

We know who the starters are here. Maybe Steen is beaten out, but for the most part, we like this list.

Fred Johnson was a surprise addition to the roster last year, but Jeff Stoutland likes him. He also likes Mekhi Becton, the main reason Philly acquired him.

Defensive tackles and edge rushers (10)

EDGE (starters): Bryce Huff and Josh Sweat

Interior Defensive Linemen (starters): Jalen Carter (defensive tackle), Jordan Davis (NT/DT)

Reserves: Brandon Graham, Nolan Smith, Jalyx Hunt, Milton Williams, Moro Ojomo, Marlon Tuipulotu

Fletcher Cox is gone, and the youngsters need to step up. Jalen Carter hit the rookie wall last season but will be ready for 2024. Jordan Davis will finally take that step forward, but even without Fletch, there's much to like about these units.

Interior Linebackers (4)

Starters: Nakobe Dean, Devin White

Reserves: Jeremiah Trotter Jr, and Oren Burks

The Eagles will give Nakobe Dean every opportunity to win the starting job as a former third-round selection. You know that, right?

That said, Oren Burks is added with Devin White and Jeremiah Trotter Jr. Zack Baun could be retained as a practice squad guy who begins the season as game-day roster elevation. Baun is more of an edge rusher, but this helps Philly hang on to both.

Cornerbacks (7)

Starters: Darius Slay, Quinyon Mitchell, Avonte Maddox

Reserves: Kelee Ringo, Cooper DeJean (Big Nickel), Isaiah Rodgers, Eli Ricks (or Josh Jobe)

The Eagles are bringing a lot of cornerback bodies to camp. At the end of the day, these are the best they have. As was the case last season, we have seven corners making the roster as Philly will try to hang onto Josh Jobe or Eli Ricks.

Saying goodbye to one or the other will be a tough decision. As you can see, we cheated and kept both, but there's no way one or the other gets stashed on the practice squad and doesn't get scooped by another team.

Safety (4)

Starters: Reed Blankenship, Chauncey Gardner-Johnson, Sydney Brown, Tristin McCollum

We have believed for a while that Sydney Brown will begin his season on some sort of injury list, but that may not be the case. He says he's ready. He's already out of the walking boot.

Tristin McCollum enjoyed some quality snaps last season in his absence. He makes the squad as a reserve and special teams guy.

Specialists (3)

Jake Elliott (kicker), Braden Mann (punter), Rick Lovato (Long Snapper)

Technically, Covey is a wide receiver. But, is he though? Here's where we are. He isn't good enough to keep Ainias Smith and Johnny Taylor off the roster, and even though Philly has other options at returner if Covey moves on (Smith for instance), it's also hard to move on from a punt returner who was as good as Covey was last season.

Well, do so for now. Count Covey as another of those tough subtractions. Meanwhile, Elliott, Mann, and Lovato's additions are all obvious. They make the squad without any discussions.