Eagles 53-man roster projection after preseason opener vs. Ravens

The Philadelphia Eagles now have one preseason game and 11 training camp practices under their belts.

How has the 53-man roster outlook shifted after two weeks of camp and Saturday’s preseason opener vs. the Ravens?

Ahead of this week’s joint practices against the New England Patriots, let’s dive into who we think will make (and who will miss) the team when the Eagles make final cuts by Aug. 30.

And for comparison’s sake, here’s our first 53-man roster projection from a week ago.

QUARTERBACK (3)

Jalen Hurts, Andy Dalton, Cole Payton

Tanner McKee — after looking uncomfortable and, frankly, not very good in Sean Mannion’s offense in camp — would have loved a positive performance in Baltimore. Instead, he completed 6/10 passes for 35 yards.

Fortunately for McKee, Dalton didn’t look any better (3/6, 20 yards). Joint practices will potentially go a long way in determining which veteran sticks around.

Payton, the fifth-round rookie who threw his first touchdown in his first NFL action, has showed enough promise to keep around and develop.

RUNNING BACK (3)

Saquon Barkley, Tank Bigsby, Will Shipley

Shipley hadn’t shown much of anything through 11 practices. But with Elijah Mitchell going on IR earlier this week and Dameon Pierce dealing with a hamstring injury, the 2024 fourth-rounder had an opportunity to pull away in the RB3 battle.

Shipley had seven carries for 22 yards. Nothing special. But his special teams ability as a returner helps.

WIDE RECEIVER (6)

DeVonta Smith, Dontayvion Wicks, Makai Lemon, Hollywood Brown, Darius Cooper, Johnny Wilson

Smith and Lemon missing time with hamstring injuries has afforded Cooper and Wicks a chance to cement their spots, not only on the roster but also as potential contributors.

Brown was a non-factor through two weeks of practice. Against the Ravens, he had one catch for four yards. But unless the Eagles trade him, I find it hard to believe he won’t be on the roster given his $5 million guaranteed contract.

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It was a tough call between Wilson and Moore. The latter has made more plays in camp. But Moore’s size and skill set is similar to Brown’s. Wilson, at 6-foot-6, 228 pounds, provides a different body type to use as a blocker and red-zone threat.

TIGHT END (4)

Dallas Goedert, Johnny Mundt, Eli Stowers, Cam Latu

Stowers has had a quiet camp. It’s been a lot for the second-round rookie, who started playing tight end only a few years ago, to get acclimated to this level. He did have a few catches and looked much better as a blocker, though, in Baltimore.

OFFENSIVE LINE (10)

Jordan Mailata, Landon Dickerson, Cam Jurgens, Tyler Steen, Lane Johnson, Markel Bell, Fred Johnson, Drew Kendall, Willie Lampkin, Micah Morris

It’s difficult to evaluate o-line play in preseason games, especially when the lineups are mixed and matched. But Lampkin’s stellar summer so far deserves to be rewarded.

Morris is my last man on the roster here. The sixth-rounder out of Georgia was better than expected vs. the Ravens.

DEFENSIVE TACKLE (6)

Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis, Moro Ojomo, Byron Young, Ty Robinson, Uar Bernard

Uar Bernard, the seventh-round rookie who’s playing football for the first time, is “lightyears away” from getting up to speed, according to Vic Fangio.

If the Eagles waive Bernard, will another team commit to rostering him and a multi-year development plan? I don’t think so. But they won’t take any chances — especially after he flashed a bit in his preseason debut.

Robinson, by the way, looked good in Baltimore, securing the Eagles’ first sack of the preseason. Robinson’s camp so far was underwhelming to say the least. But maybe that moment was enough to propel him forward the rest of the summer.

EDGE RUSHER (5)

Jonathan Greenard, Jalyx Hunt, Nolan Smith, Arnold Ebiketie, A.J. Epenesa

This is pretty set. The only addition I’d make would be Joshua Weru, the Ghanian rugby player who is also playing football for the first time but looks more NFL-ready than Bernard. He still probably ends up on the practice squad, though.

LINEBACKER (5)

Zack Baun, Jihaad Campbell, Jeremiah Trotter Jr., Smael Mondon, Chance Campbell

Unless recently-signed Brandon George or Alabama UDFA Deontae Lawson light it up in New England, I don’t see this group changing.

CORNERBACK (5)

Quinyon Mitchell, Cooper DeJean, Riq Woolen, Mac McWilliams, Jonathan Jones

No changes to this group. Jones is injured right now, but the veteran offers versatility and experience. McWilliams took first-team reps when Mitchell exited with an injury in practice. They’re in a good spot.

Kelee Ringo had an interception vs. the Ravens and offers elite gunner play on special teams. But is that enough to warrant a spot when Fangio doesn’t trust him on defense?

SAFETY (4)

Drew Mukuba, Marcus Epps, Michael Carter, J.T. Gray

No changes here, either. Gray, a three-time special teams All-Pro, brings value that would help offset Ringo’s departure.

SPECIALISTS (2)

Jake Elliott (K), Braden Mann (P)

Do the Eagles have to keep rookie long-snapper Rocco Underwood on the initial 53-man roster? Or could they cut him, add him to the practice squad and elevate him before Week 1? Or even sign a veteran long-snapper? Either of those paths make more sense than giving Underwood.a spot.

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