Eagles 53 Man Roster and Analysis

So I had a scheduling conflict around 2:45, and I was off my phone until 6. The amount of notifications I got, as you would expect, was crazy. But after taking it all in, here are my initial reactions to the Eagles 53 Man Roster. Going to try and keep the descriptions as short as possible.

Quarterbacks(3)

Jalen Hurts

Joe Flacco

Gardner Minshew

Notable Cuts: N/A

Nothing to really talk about here, but Sirianni did name Hurts QB1 today and Minshew QB3. The Eagles could claim a QB for the practice squad but I doubt it.

Running Backs(3)

Miles Sanders

Boston Scott

Kenneth Gainwell

Notable Cuts: Jason Huntley, Jordan Howard

I'd say one of the biggest surprises of the day was Howard being cut, but it sounds like he'll be back in a couple weeks because he will not be hitting waivers(he is a veteran). Huntley was a nice kick returner but dealt with injuries in all of training camp. So the Eagles will go into the season with 3 running backs, pending Howard's return. I'd guess that Gainwell and Scott with have a much bigger role this year then people expect.

Wide Receivers(5)

DeVonta Smith

Jalen Reagor

Quez Watkins

Greg Ward

JJ Arcega-Whiteside

Notable Cuts: Travis Fulgham, John Hightower.

He's done it again. After two disappointing seasons to start his career, Arcega-Whiteside will again be on the Eagles roster. This comes at the expense of Fulgham and Hightower, with Fulgham being a story like no other. He bounced around the league for the beginning of his career, until the Eagles claimed him from the Lions and put him on their practice squad. Fulgham then was called up to the Eagles after the immense amount of injuries, and had a 5 game stretch like one of the best wideouts in the NFL. Fulgham then dealt with a tiny injury and was benched by Doug Pederson, basically ending the season in a whimper. After a really bad preseason, he now is waived and we'll see where he goes next. I find it hard to believe he doesn't get claimed, but his value around the NFL world could be way lower then I think. Hightower is also a disappointing story, but I hope the Eagles can get him on the practice squad- he has potential.

Tight End(4)

Dallas Goedert

Zach Ertz

Tyree Jackson

Jack Stoll

Notable Cuts: Richard Rodgers

I know what you are thinking, 4 tight ends???? I thought the same thing at first, but you have to realize that Tyree Jackson will be placed on IR. I wish I could say Ertz being here is a surprise, but it is still crazy that he had that teary press conference back in February and will be playing for the Eagles on September 12th. Stoll is a great story, an undrafted free agent out of Nebraska who had a really solid camp. Rodgers was really good last season when Ertz and Goedert were hurt, but his camp did not do enough to guarantee his spot. He could be back in a couple weeks if the Eagles need him.

Offensive Line(10)

Jordan Mailata

Isaac Seumalo

Jason Kelce

Brandon Brooks

Lane Johnson

Andre Dillard

Jack Driscoll

Nate Herbig

Brett Toth

Landon Dickerson

Notable Cuts: Le'Raven Clark, Sua Opeta

Dickerson was one of the biggest surprises over the last 48 hours for me, as he was activated off the NFI list and is practicing with the team. That is huge for the Offensive Line depth, and potentially he could be starting at LG if Seumalo disappoints. Dillard was not traded, but do not rule it out all throughout the regular season. The best news is that the Eagles will have their full starting offensive line going into the season, which gives credit to how Sirianni handled the preseason. Brett Toth was, well, a shock, but you have to give credit to Jeff Stoutland for getting a guy from Army to be on a 53 man roster a few years into his NFL career. However, I would of kept a veteran(Le'Raven Clark) instead. Also, Jordan Mailata was finally named the starting Left Tackle today. Driscoll and Herbig should be good depth pieces.

Defensive End(5)

Brandon Graham

Josh Sweat

Derek Barnett

Ryan Kerrigan

Tarron Jackson

Notable Cuts: Matt Leo

The first 4 guys were complete locks, but Jackson is somewhat interesting. He was a 6th Round Pick out of Coastal Carolina in the 2021 Draft and showed out against the Jets. I only listed Leo as a notable cut to say that he will be on the practice squad, but with an international player exemption(he will not count for the roster).

Defensive Tackle(4)

Fletcher Cox

Javon Hargrave

Milton Williams

Marlon Tuipulotu

Notable Cuts: Hassan Ridgeway

COVID-19 List: TY McGill

Again the first 3 were locks, but Tuipulotu is a surprise for me. He was a 6th Round Pick in the 2021 Draft, but was really poor this whole preseason. I guess the Eagles just see him as a depth piece that they can develop, but I definitely would have taken Ridgeway over him. McGil has definitely earned his roster spot, but was placed on the COVID-19 IL for an unknown reason. I am personally worried about how your depth behind two 28+ year old defensive tackles is two rookies.

Linebacker(7)

Eric Wilson

Alex Singleton TJ Edwards

Davion Taylor

Shaun Bradley

Genard Avery

Patrick Johnson

Notable Cuts: JaCoby Stevens

This was probably the position I had the most disagreements with, so here we go. Wilson, Singleton, Edwards, Taylor and Bradley I have zero arguments. But, Avery, really? We are still doing this? I just can't help but think this is a Howie Roseman move, still trying to justify his trading of a 4th for him. I know Gannon is putting a big emphasis on the SAM in his defense, but do you really need Johnson AND Avery? As a result of keeping both, you had to say goodbye to JaCoby Stevens, a guy I really liked after they drafted him. What was Stevens' downfall in the end was injuries, as he was dealing with one all camp. I really hope he finds his way to the practice squad though.

Cornerback(5)

Darius Slay

Steven Nelson

Avonte Maddox

Zech McPhearson

Josiah Scott

Notable Cuts: Craig James, Michael Jacquet

I was pretty surprised when Craig James was waived, but definitely do not have an issue with Scott staying. To be honest, the more I thought about it, I prefer him over James. He had a really good camp after coming over from Jacksonville, and will be the Eagles backup slot corner. That would show me that McPhearson will be the backup on the outside, and not in the slot. The top three are the expected starters.

Safety(4)

Rodney McLeod

K'Von Wallace

Marcus Epps

Anthony Harris

Notable Cuts: Andrew Adams, Elijah Riley

IR: Blake Countess

The Eagles are going light at safety, which is a sign to me that Rodney McLeod will be ready for Week 1. I thought they would keep Adams, but he wont hit waivers and could potentially be back here. Elijah Riley was a good special teamer.

Specialists(3)

Jake Elliott

Arryn Siposs

Rick Lovato

All three ran without competition during camp.

One last thing, I got 45/53 of the roster correct based off my final prediction. Not bad, but let me just note that obviously I didn't account for Dickerson being activated, McGil being on the COVID-IL and Rodgers being potentially brought back even after he was cut.

I'll take it.