Our final Eagles 53-man roster and depth chart projection as the NFL roster cut deadline approaches.
PHILADELPHIA − There are two ways to look at the projected 53-man roster of the Eagles as defending Super Bowl champions.
The first is that their starters are mostly set, with talent up and down the roster. While there are still questions to be answered at the second starter at outside corner, that's relatively minor compared with the needs other NFL teams might have.
The second is that the final 53-man roster spots are basically going to players who are expected to play little or not at all this season. Unless, of course, injuries crop up.
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Certainly, there will be a large amount of players sweating out the NFL deadline for teams to trim their rosters from 90 down to 53 by 4 p.m. on Aug. 26, and some of them could be veterans. Others could be players drafted both this year and last.
Here, then, is our final projection for the Eagles' 53-man roster and depth chart:
When is the 2025 NFL roster cuts deadline?
- Date: Aug. 26th
- Time: 4 p.m.
Quarterback (3)
Jalen Hurts, Tanner McKee, Sam Howell
Cut: Kyle McCord, Dorian Thompson-Robinson
Comment: The Eagles weren't taking any chances with Tanner McKee questionable for the season opener because of a fractured thumb. So they traded for Sam Howell as Hurts' backup if McKee isn't available against the Cowboys. The Eagles would like to get McCord to the practice squad. Thompson-Robinson was waived Aug. 24.
Running back (4)
Saquon Barkley, Will Shipley, A.J. Dillon, Ben VanSumeren
Cut: Montrell Johnson, ShunDerrick Powell, Kellan Robinson
Comment: Johnson was the best of the running backs beyond the top three. VanSumeren, a converted linebacker, stays as a fullback/special teams ace. Barkley will be the workhorse with Shipley and Dillon filling in as needed.
Tight end (3)
Dallas Goedert, Grant Calcaterra, Kylen Granson
Cut: E.J. Jenkins, Cameron Latu, Nick Muse
Comment: There's no mystery here. Goedert is poised for a big season, and Calcaterra is a steady TE2. Granson is a good pass catcher who could produce if needed.
Wide receiver (5)
A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, Jahan Dotson, John Metchie, Darius Cooper
Cut: Ainias Smith, Ife Adeyi, Elijah Cooks, Terrace Marshall, Taylor Morin
Comment: Johnny Wilson going on season-ending IR isn't enough to save Ainias Smith, the Eagles' fifth-round pick in 2024. Smith didn't prove reliable as either a receiver or punt returner (see specialists). That's why the Eagles traded for Metchie. Cooper simply outplayed Smith and all of the other WR hopefuls.
Offensive line (9)
Starters (from left): Jordan Mailata, Landon Dickerson, Cam Jurgens, Tyler Steen, Lane Johnson
Backups: Fred Johnson, Matt Pryor, Drew Kendall, Myles Hinton
Cut: Brett Toth, Kendall Lamm, Kenyon Green, Trevor Keegan, Hollin Pierce, Laekin Vakalahi
Comment: The Eagles swung a trade for swing tackle Fred Johnson, who served the same role the previous two seasons, then traded away Darian Kinnard. At Stoutland University, the tie always goes to youth. So sixth-round pick Hinton stays, while veterans Toth, Lamm and Green go. Even if Landon Dickerson isn't ready for Week 1, the Eagles can plug in Pryor there.
Edge rusher (5)
Nolan Smith, Jalyx Hunt, Josh Uche, Azeez Ojulari, Patrick Johnson
Cut: Ogbo Okoronkwo, Jereme Robinson, Ochaun Mathis, Antwaun Powell-Ryland
Comment: Powell-Ryland had a huge final preseason game against the Jets, but it seemed like too little, too late. Johnson gets the last spot because of what he offers on special teams.
Defensive tackle (6)
Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis, Moro Ojomo, Ty Robinson, Gabe Hall, Byron Young
Cut: Joe Evans, Justin Rogers, Jacob Sykes
Comment: Trading Thomas Booker on Aug. 4 opened up spots for Hall and Young, both of whom spent time on the practice squad. They add depth to a talented unit led by Carter, who is an All-Pro, and Davis and Ojomo, both of whom should have big seasons.
Linebacker (4)
Zack Baun, Jihaad Campbell, Jeremiah Trotter, Smael Mondon
Cut: Chance Campbell, Lance Dixon, Dallas Gant
Comment: Nakobe Dean will stay on the PUP list as he recovers from his knee injury, meaning he'll have to miss the first four games. But this is the deepest and most talented group of linebackers in at least a decade. Jihaad Campbell and Baun playing together is going to be fun to watch.
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Cornerback (5)
Quinyon Mitchell, Cooper DeJean, Jakorian Bennett, Kelee Ringo, Mac McWilliams
Cut: Adoree Jackson, Parry Nickerson, Tariq Castro-Fields, Maxen Hook, Eli Ricks, Brandon Johnson, A.J. Woods
Comment: The premise for only five CBs is that DeJean will be the full-time outside corner after neither Ringo nor Jackson did enough to win the job. That spot could ultimately go to Bennett, acquired in the Aug. 4 trade with the Raiders. But he hasn't proved that yet. So the question is, who's the nickel? Either safety Drew Mukuba, if his hamstring injury heals, or Jackson. assuming he gets to the practice squad and gets elevated (as a vested veteran, he won't be exposed to waivers).
Safety (5)
Reed Blankenship, Drew Mukuba, Sydney Brown, Tristin McCollum, Andre Sam
Cut: Lewis Cine (injured)
Comment: This is with the premise that DeJean is a full-time cornerback, either on the outside or at nickel, thus enabling the Eagles to keep a young player they like in Sam. Mukuba was on track to win the starting job next to Blankenship, but it's looking like his hamstring injury will set him back. Brown has had a good, not spectacular, summer, and will start instead.
Specialists (4)
Jake Elliott-kicker, Brandon Mann-punter, Charley Hughlett-long snapper, Avery Williams-returner
Cut: None
Comment: Williams is dependable as both a kick and punt returner, and Ainias Smith is not. That's why he gets this unique role for the Eagles. Elliott, Mann and Hughlett are set.
Contact Martin Frank at [email protected]. Follow on X @Mfranknfl. Read his coverage of the Eagles’ championship season in “Flying High,” a new hardcover coffee-table book from Delaware Online/The News Journal. Details at Fly.ChampsBook.com
This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Final Eagles roster prediction: 53 players who will make 2025 team
Category: Football
