Philadelphia Eagles coaching camp is almost right here!
Gamers will report back to the NovaCare Advanced on Tuesday, July 23 forward of the group’s first follow on Wednesday, July 24.
Whereas we nonetheless have a while to kill, let’s run by everybody’s favourite summer time exercise: a 53-player roster prediction. The target right here is to get an early have a look at how the Eagles’ preliminary depth chart might play out. We’ll actually replace these projections all through the summer time to mirror significant developments from practices and preseason video games.
OFFENSE
QB: Jalen Hurts, Kenny Pickett, Tanner McKee (3) [3]
Hurts didn’t look tremendous comfy throughout spring practices in an offense he described as “95%” new. His progress adjusting to Kellen Moore’s imaginative and prescient bears monitoring. In idea, Pickett and McKee will likely be battling it out to be QB2. However till McKee truly takes some second-team reps, it’s exhausting to imagine Pickett doesn’t have already got the job locked up. Will Grier seems to be a camp arm who will eat up some preseason snaps. Maybe his relationship with Moore will land him a spot on the follow squad? Or maybe even the teaching workers?
RB: Saquon Barkley, Kenny Gainwell, Will Shipley (3) [6]
After a quiet spring, it’d be good to see Barkley have some flashes in camp. It’ll be fascinating to see what number of targets he will get; will he actually be an element within the passing assault? Gainwell shouldn’t merely be a lock to be the second working again however the teaching workers appears to like him so much so, he could be. Shipley was energetic as a pass-catcher in spring practices; will that proceed in camp? The Eagles in all probability don’t have to maintain a fourth working again on the roster. If anybody might make the case for that RB4 spot, although, it could be Kendall Milton. Be mindful the Eagles sometimes maintain at the very least one undrafted rookie free agent on their roster. To that time, they’ve had one UDFA on the Week 1 roster each season since at the very least 2013 … with the uncommon exception of 2020, when the pandemic was a significant component working towards undrafted gamers.
WR: A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, Parris Campbell, Britain Covey, Johnny Wilson, Ainias Smith (6) [12]
We do know that A.J. and DeVonta are superior gamers. We don’t know if there are any high quality depth choices behind them. Primarily based on him taking first-team reps within the spring, Campbell will get the primary crack on the WR3 job. Hurts appeared to have some degree of belief in him. Covey is arguably the most effective punt returner within the NFL and he’s no small half why the Eagles had the top-ranked particular groups unit final yr. It stays to be seen if he can truly contribute on offense. As a tall receiver, Wilson is primed to be a coaching camp darling. Smith didn’t have an incredible spring however he wasn’t 100% wholesome. If John Ross can keep wholesome, which is an enormous if, he might very nicely push for a roster spot. If nobody seizes the WR3 job, Howie Roseman might look to make a commerce. Maybe a reverse Ronald Darby state of affairs from 2017 the place the Eagles deal a cornerback and a draft choose for a large receiver this time.
TE: Dallas Goedert, Grant Calcaterra, C.J. Uzomah (3) [15]
I can’t assist however really feel like Goedert is a greater participant than final yr’s numbers would point out. I feel he’ll get again to being a extra environment friendly goal after logging a career-low 10.0 yards per reception in 2023. The TE2 and TE3 jobs look like up for grabs. Calcaterra earned reward from the teaching workers and noticed some first-team work within the spring. He presents extra pass-catching means whereas Uzomah is extra of a blocker within the Jack Stoll mould. E.J. Jenkins made some flashy catches within the spring; it’ll be fascinating to see if he can proceed to face out.
OL: Jordan Mailata, Landon Dickerson, Cam Jurgens, Tyler Steen, Lane Johnson, Mekhi Becton, Matt Hennessy, Fred Johnson, Trevor Keegan, Dylan McMahon (10) [25]
The considering right here is that the Eagles will give Steen each likelihood to show he ought to be the beginning job. If he falters, although, it won’t take lengthy for them to plug Becton between Jurgens and Johnson. If he’s not beginning, Becton may very well be the highest backup at each non-center place. Hennessy may very well be the designated in-game alternative for Jurgens along with offering further guard depth. The Eagles signed Johnson to an extension final summer time; they may worth him as a fourth deal with choice. Keegan and McMahon may very well be larger elements sooner or later than they are going to be as rookies. Max Scharping might have an opportunity to make the group as a backup with expertise at each guard spots. Anim Dankwah’s potential is intriguing however he’s in all probability not near being able to play as a rookie.
DEFENSE
EDGE: Bryce Huff, Josh Sweat, Nolan Smith, Brandon Graham, Jalyx Hunt (5) [30]
There’s purpose to be enthusiastic about Huff’s potential as a full-time participant however he’s not but a confirmed commodity in that regard. Sweat took a pay lower to stay on the group forward of a contract yr; one would suppose he’ll be motivated to show he’s higher than his comparatively invisible second half in 2023. The Eagles’ cross rush being actually efficient or not might hinge on whether or not Smith makes a leap in Yr 2. Graham figures to be a top quality position participant in his closing NFL season. It’s exhausting to imagine Hunt will see the sector on protection however he may very well be a contributor on particular groups.
DT: Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis, Milton Williams, Marlon Tuipulotu, Moro Ojomo (5) [35]
I feel Carter is definitely underrated. I don’t suppose anyone critically doubts he’s going to be actually good. However sensible expectations ought to be even larger than that. It is a dude who was on an Aaron Donald-like trajectory for a superb portion of final season earlier than your entire protection fell aside. At his greatest, Davis has proven that he’s able to making an influence … we simply have to see extra consistency. This season is a make-or-break alternative for him with Fletcher Cox gone. Williams made extra of an influence final season than the stat sheet signifies (he logged simply half of a sack) and I count on the numbers to catch up this yr. Mr. T has the makings of a suitable DT4/DT5. Ojomo has the potential to make a leap as a top quality rotational defensive deal with. The Eagles would possibly wish to maintain six gamers right here; they’ve generally used a six-man DT rotation in earlier season. After all, that was earlier than Vic Fangio arrived. The Eagles’ defensive coordinator wasn’t so inclined to rotate his defensive linemen final yr on the Miami Dolphins. P.J. Mustipher (who tasks as a backup nostril deal with) and UDFA Gabe Corridor are combating to stay on the roster.
LB: Devin White, Zack Baun, Nakobe Dean, Oren Burks, Jeremiah Trotter Jr. (5) [40]
White looks like a positive wager to start out for the Eagles, which feels a bit of bizarre since he completed the 2023 season by getting benched in a playoff recreation. However he regarded good in spring practices and unencumbered by nagging damage points that plagued him final yr. Fangio appears to love Baun greater than anybody anticipated him to. If Dean turns in a single standout coaching camp follow, it’ll be the primary of his profession. Burks seems like somebody the Eagles would possibly be capable of re-sign after Week 1, when his wage wouldn’t be assured as a vested vet. However the Eagles would possibly worth his recreation expertise and particular groups means an excessive amount of to get cute and threat dropping him. A younger man like Ben VanSumeren or Brandon Smith might make Burks expendable if they’ll step up. Trot Jr. will seemingly have to chop his enamel on particular groups earlier than he will get a shot to play on protection.
CB: Darius Slay, Isaiah Rodgers, Avonte Maddox, Kelee Ringo, Quinyon Mitchell, Cooper DeJean, Josh Jobe (7) [47]
Slay is locked in as a starter. After that? There’s a fierce competitors occurring right here. I’m shopping for what I noticed from Rodgers in spring practices; the best way he moved in protection and broke on the ball was simply totally different, in a great way. I additionally don’t suppose Fangio will thoughts leaning on a veteran versus untested younger guys. That being stated, Ringo seems like he’s able to make a robust push to start out. Mitchell figures to have a task even when he’s not beginning on the surface; the Eagles have been using him in dime packages. For now, we’ll say Maddox begins within the slot along with offering depth at security. However it could hardly be a shock if DeJean usurps him before later. Jobe’s defensive potential might be worse than Eli Ricks’ means in that regard … however he’s the superior particular groups participant, which is extra related down the depth chart. Apart from, Ricks may very well be a commerce candidate on the subject of making an attempt so as to add extra depth at one other place (akin to receiver). James Bradberry can be a candidate to be traded if the Eagles can discover a taker providing something remotely of worth. Name me naive however I do suppose there’s a deal to be made since there needs to be a group on the market that doesn’t love their CB state of affairs and will use a low-risk flier on somebody who’s 1) had high-level success previously and a pair of) who’s had a historical past of bouncing again after down seasons. After all, the NFL might determine to attend it out and hope the Eagles merely lower Bradberry. Tyler Corridor is a darkish horse candidate to stay round, particularly if there are accidents at nickel. He may very well be a pleasant depth choice to carry on the follow squad since he has some NFL expertise.
S: Reed Blankenship, C.J. Gardner-Johnson, Sydney Brown (3) [50]
The consensus is simply too low on Blankenship, who’s going to make large performs this yr. Rely on it. It’ll be fascinating to see CJGJ in his first coaching camp with the Eagles (he joined the group after camp in 2022). Over/below on fights he’s concerned in: 1.5. Brown is reportedly starting camp on the energetic/PUP checklist however there appears to be an expectation he’ll keep away from occurring reserve/PUP and robotically lacking the primary 4 video games. The Eagles are clearly skinny at security however Maddox can be an element right here. They usually might nonetheless look to signal a veteran, ought to they should go that route. Maybe Mekhi Garner is being slept on right here.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Okay: Jake Elliott (1) [51]
This will likely be Elliott’s eighth season because the Eagles’ kicker. There aren’t many kickers you’d somewhat have.
P: Braden Mann (1) [52]
Mann is a top quality punter. This will likely be his first full offseason working with Elliott and Lovato, so, the additional reps ought to solely assist their collective timing and coordination.
LS: Rick Lovato (1) [53]
The Eagles’ lengthy snapper is in a contract yr. Greatest for him to keep away from any errors.
PRACTICE SQUAD
RB Kendall Milton, WR Jacob Harris, WR John Ross, TE E.J. Jenkins, OT Anim Dankwah, OG Gottlieb Ayedze, EDGE Julian Okwara, EDGE Patrick Johnson, DT Gabe Corridor, DT PJ Mustipher, LB Ben VanSumeren, LB Brandon Smith, CB Tyler Corridor, DB Mekhi Garner, S Tristin McCollum, S Andre’ Sam
Worldwide exemption: OT Laekin Vakalahi
