PHILADELPHIA − The Eagles finally have a preseason game to evaluate, albeit not a very good one as they lost to the Baltimore Ravens 24-7 on Aug. 15. But it served a purpose because the Eagles got a chance to see their backups, roster hopefuls and young players go against a different team for the first time after two weeks of training camp practices. So there could be some shakeups at some of the positions. That could be true at quarterback where rookie Cole Payton outplayed the two veterans vying to be Jalen Hurts' backup in Andy Dalton and Tanner McKee. Buy Philadelphia Eagles tickets Now, there are plenty of grains of salt to be taken with this. Payton played the final quarter, both with and against deep reserves and players who won't make either team's roster. But Payton did something Dalton and McKee couldn't do: lead a scoring drive. Not only did Payton lead a drive, he also threw for the most yards (an unimpressive 37) and ran for the most of any Eagles player (45). He also accounted for four of the Eagles' six most first downs (the Ravens had 31). Most importantly, Payton led the Eagles' only touchdown drive, capping it with a 6-yard TD pass to Erik Ezukanma. "It was off-schedule," Payton said about the TD pass. "I didn’t like the first couple of reads, so I was able to get out of the pocket and Erik did a good job in the scramble drill. Found him in the back of the end zone."
Payton was asked if he had thought about trying to run the ball in. "Yeah," he said. "But I felt purple jerseys on the goal line and Erik by himself." Then he added with a laugh: "And I was also gassed. I won’t lie." Here's how Payton's performance and those of some of his teammates have impacted our second Eagles' 53-man roster projection. Players are listed in order of where they stand on the depth chart. Quarterback (3) In: Jalen Hurts, Andy Dalton, Cole Payton Out: Tanner McKee Comment: Did Payton do enough against the Ravens to make the Eagles believe he could be a viable No. 3 QB? At the very least, he proved the Eagles could use him in gadget plays, and that could make him worth keeping around as a change of pace from non-mobile QBs in Dalton and McKee. I'm counting on McKee getting traded before the preseason ends, and thus not cut. Dalton is a better No. 2. Running back (3) In: Saquon Barkley, Tank Bigsby, Will Shipley Out: Dameon Pierce, Elijah Mitchell, Carson Steele, Ja'Quinden Jackson Comment: Barkley and Bigsby can form a solid 1-2 punch, with Bigsby getting a few series during the course of a game to preserve Barkley throughout the season. None of the other running backs have shown anything to displace Shipley as either a receiver out of the backfield or on special teams. EAGLES WINNERS, LOSERS: 14 winners, losers from Eagles preseason Week 1 as new offense bombed Tight end (4) In: Dallas Goedert, Johnny Mundt, Cameron Latu, Eli Stowers Out: Grant Calcaterra, E.J. Jenkins, Stone Smartt Comment: Stowers, the Eagles' second-round pick, had a holding penalty on the first play against Baltimore. But he did rally to have a team-high 3 receptions, albeit for 12 yards. Mundt stays because he's the best blocking tight end, and Latu stays because he's good on special teams. Wide receiver (5) In: DeVonta Smith, Dontayvion Wicks, Elijah Moore, Makai Lemon, Darius Cooper Out: Hollywood Brown, Johnny Wilson, Quez Watkins, Britain Covey, Samori Toure, Brandon Hayes, Erik Ezukanma, Danny Gray Comment: Hollywood Brown, who signed for $5 million, has been disappointing throughout camp. Cooper was having a strong camp until struggling against the Ravens. But he stays. Wilson has missed valuable time with injuries. Overall, this unit has been unimpressive, especially with Smith out for the past two weeks with a hamstring injury. Offensive line (11) In: (starters, from left) Jordan Mailata, Landon Dickerson, Cam Jurgens, Tyler Steen, Lane Johnson. Reserves: Markel Bell, Fred Johnson, Drew Kendall, Cameron Williams, Micah Morris, Willie Lampkin Out: Michael Jordan, Hollin Pierce, John Ojukwu, Jake Majors, Myles Hinton Comment: The starting unit is among the best in the NFL. The dropoff to the reserves, however, is steep. Bell gets the swing tackle spot over Fred Johnson. Kendall and Lampkin have had strong camps. Both can play center and guard. Kendall could be in the lead for both roles. Edge rusher (6) In: Jonathan Greenard, Jalyx Hunt, Nolan Smith, AJ Epenesa, Arnold Ebiketie, Joshua Weru Out: Jose Ramirez, Keyshawn James-Newby, Tarron Jackson Comment: Greenard should be off the PUP list before the end of camp. Weru, the Kenyan signed from the International Player Pathways program, was impressive against the Ravens, with a QB hit and a pass breakup that was negated by penalty. The Eagles will find a spot for him. EAGLES VS RAVENS: Eagles QBs brutal in preseason loss to Ravens. Who's winning backup job? Defensive tackle (6) In: Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis, Moro Ojomo, Byron Young, Ty Robinson, Uar Bernard Out: Zion Wilson, Gabe Hall, David Blay Comment: The top three in Carter, Davis and Ojomo are stars. Robinson, the fourth-round pick last season, has come on strong after a slow start. As an IPP player, Bernard stays so that another team doesn't claim him. Linebacker (4) In: Zack Baun, Jihaad Campbell, Jeremiah Trotter, Smael Mondon Out: Chance Campbell, Deontae Lawson, Brandon George Comment: Campbell was having a good camp until he was injured. He was beaten in coverage against the Ravens, while Mondon, the Eagles' fifth-round pick in 2025, has played better of late. Plus, he's established as a good special teams player. Trotter has had a good camp and could start on some NFL teams. Cornerback (5) In: Quinyon Mitchell, Riq Woolen, Cooper DeJean, Jakorian Bennett, Kelee Ringo Out: Jonathan Jones, Mac McWilliams, Shaun Wade, Maximus Pulley, Ambry Thomas, Tariq Castro-Fields Comment: The Eagles' top three are among the top trio of CBs in the NFL. The dropoff, however, is dramatic. Jones, the 11-year veteran, has been injured. McWilliams had a brutal game against Baltimore. Ringo stays because he's a Pro Bowl special teams player. Keep an eye on Wade. Safety (4) In: Drew Mukuba, Marcus Epps, Michael Carter, Cole Wisniewski Out: J.T. Gray, Andre Sam, Kapena Gushiken Comment: DeJean will play safety in base packages, leaving Epps as the starter next to Mukuba the rest of the time. Carter had his ups and downs at safety against the Ravens after he had played nickel in is previous five NFL seasons. Wisniewski, the Eagles' seventh-round pick, appears to be an IR candidate as he has missed time with a hamstring injury. The Eagles aren't ready to give up on Wisniewski just yet. Specialists (2) In: Jake Elliott-kicker, Braden Mann-punter Out: Rocco Underwood-long snapper Comment: Underwood, an undrafted free agent, is headed for the practice-squad elevation route unless the Eagles find someone better on the waiver wire. Elliott has had a solid training camp so far. Mann got a workout against the Ravens, punting eight times because of the inept offense. Contact Martin Frank at mfrank@delawareonline.com. Follow on X @Mfranknfl. Sign up for the "Eye On The Eagles" newsletter, emailed to your inbox every Friday morning. Read his coverage of the Eagles’ championship season in “Flying High,” a hardcover coffee-table book from Delaware Online/The News Journal. Details at Fly.ChampsBook.com This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Eagles 53-man roster projection, depth chart after QB debacle vs Ravens