Decisions, Decisions…

The Eagles, and the rest of the NFL, have some difficult decisions ahead with the preseason drawing to a close. The 90-man roster must be parsed to 53 by Tuesday’s deadline of 4 p.m. ET.

This time of year shouldn’t be taken lightly. Each player shouldered their share of burden throughout training camp, clocking in for work and competing amid the sweltering summer heat with consistency and daily improvement being primary objectives.

The defending Super Bowl Champions have a logjam at some positions, while other positions need bolstering. Each piece is a part of a grandiose puzzle, while the challenge over the next few days will be assessing how the pieces fit into the roster equation.

After 18 practices and three preseason games, here is my final stab at projecting the Eagles’ 53-man roster.

Will Eagles QB Kyle McCord make the 53 on merit or draft status, or not at all?

Quarterback (3): Jalen Hurts, Tanner McKee, Kyle McCord 

I was tempted to carry only two quarterbacks on the initial 53, as McCord remains a work in progress. But the finger injury to McKee, which doesn’t require surgery, might preclude the team from going a tad light at the position to start. I could envision the Eagles seeking an upgrade at No. 3 quarterback after the initial 53, and bumping McCord to the practice squad for a year of development.

Running back (3): Saquon Barkley, Will Shipley, A.J. Dillon

Dillon could be released and retained on the practice squad without having to clear waivers. But in the interest of not overthinking this, I kept him on. He’s had a solid camp, showing no ill effects of the neck injury that sidelined him for all of last season. He’s also accompanied Will Shipley on kick return, both in camp and preseason play.

Fullback (1): Ben VanSumeren

The Eagles informed VanSumeren this offseason he’d be making the transition from linebacker to fullback. His natural athleticism and feel for the position have been evident, and I suspect there’ll be more than meets the eye in terms of his role. He wasn’t featured much on offense this summer, which offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo admitted was by design, partly due to VanSumeren returning from last season’s knee injury, but also because the team was mindful of not tipping their hand much in a public practice setting. BVS also doubles as a special teams stalwart.

Wide receiver (5): A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, Jahan Dotson, John Metchie III, Darius Cooper

*Injured Reserve: Johnny Wilson

Metchie III, acquired in a trade last Sunday with the Houston Texans, gives the Eagles additional depth and intrigue as he continues to learn the offense. Smith, a 2024 fifth-round pick, was one of the decisions I deliberated most on. He had a handful of moments this summer as both a receiver and punt returner but hasn’t performed consistently enough, in my opinion, to elbow his way onto the 53-man roster. Against the Jets, Smith made a lapse on a return, which could cause enough weariness for the Eagles to keep him off. In a pinch, Dotson can return punts … or perhaps the team scours the waiver wire for an experienced option (like, say, old friend Britain Covey, if he shakes free).

Cooper, an undrafted rookie, has been steady and consistent throughout camp, each day proving he belongs. Whether savviness or the splash play, the moment was never too big for the Tarleton State product. The Eagles have also cross-trained him on special teams, giving Cooper game day value. They’ll continue to hone his skills on the 53.

Ahead of Tuesday’s deadline, Cooper plans on relaxing and heading back home to visit his family for a bit. He won’t allow his mind to drift, becoming consumed with an uncertain future.

“I always … if you can’t control it, you can’t control it,” he said. “Don’t let it throw you off what you need to be doing and just keep moving forward.” 

Tight end (3): Dallas Goedert, Grant Calcaterra, E.J. Jenkins

Throughout the summer, I felt strongly about the team only needing to roster two tight ends, given their success last season of elevating one from the practice squad on game day. Veteran Kylen Granson made more plays as a receiver this summer and has $1M guaranteed but he isn’t subjected to waivers. I left Jenkins on in light of the season-ending injury to wide receiver Johnny Wilson, who fulfilled a vital role as a blocker willing to do the dirty work. Without a suitable replacement among the receiver ranks, my thinking here is that Jenkins can satisfy a similar role. He’s the team’s second-best blocking tight end behind Goedert and can also help on special teams.

Here’s coach Nick Sirianni on Friday evening, regarding the season-ending injury to Wilson:

“It’s a big man’s game. So, he does a good job with his role. We’ll miss him, and we’ll look for other guys on this roster that can help ‘em, and I know Howie [Roseman] is always looking to improve the roster. So, we’ll see how that goes.”

Offensive line (10): Jordan Mailata, Landon Dickerson, Cam Jurgens, Tyler Steen, Lane Johnson, Matt Pryor, Drew Kendall, Darian Kinnard, Trevor Keegan, Myles Hinton

Perhaps the most surprising omission here is Brett Toth, the immediate replacement for Dickerson at left guard this summer. But the Eagles have parted with Toth before, and as a vested veteran, he isn’t subjected to waivers. Releasing him gives the Eagles the flexibility to retain one of their younger, developmental players without exposing them to waivers.

And as I’ve stated previously, the Eagles like versatile fourth-year pro Darian Kinnard, who can play both guard spots as well as right tackle. If for some reason Dickerson couldn’t play Week 1, I’m not so sure Kinnard wouldn’t be the choice at left guard.

Pryor, who notably sat out the preseason finale, sticks as the game day swing tackle. He surpassed veteran Kendall Lamm, once believed to be the Fred Johnson replacement, who underwhelmed in camp. Kendall, a 2025 fifth-round pick, provides considerable value as the team’s backup center. It’s also worth mentioning he’s cross-trained at left guard. Keegan, a 2025 fifth-round pick, played only 35 snaps as a rookie but can play all three interior positions. Offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland will continue to work with him.

Hinton, a sixth-round rookie, has shown some promise and is closer to being NFL ready than fellow Day 3 selection Cameron Williams, who carries upside but needs more time and polish at Stoutland University.

Defensive tackle (6): Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis, Moro Ojomo, Ty Robinson, Gabe Hall, Byron Young

The development of Hall, a second-year pro, softened the blow of losing valued depth piece Thomas Booker IV, who was sent to Las Vegas in the Jakorian Bennett trade. Hall, at 6-foot-6, 295 pounds offers length and can play any position along the defensive line. The 24-year-old adds even more punch to this group.

As for Young, whom the Eagles claimed via waivers ahead of the 2024 season, he didn’t appear in any games, but he did spend the year in the building in meetings, developing under DL coach Clint Hurtt. He missed some time in camp with a groin injury, but was repeatedly mentioned (unprompted) by DC Vic Fangio, who even referred to Young as ‘B.Y.’ Young functions here as the backup nose, a role previously occupied by Booker IV.

Edge (5): Nolan Smith, Jalyx Hunt, Josh Uche, Azeez Ojulari, Patrick Johnson

The depth behind Smith and Hunt is an area the team could look to address in the coming days. Throughout the summer, defensive coordinator Vic Fangio didn’t mince words when assessing the his reserve group of pass rushers, often indicating he’d yet to see anyone emerge. Uche, a free-agent addition, flashed fairly regularly this summer, while Ojulari surprisingly underwhelmed after arriving to the team in March with considerable intrigue. For perspective, Ojulari dressed and logged 15 snaps Friday night against the Jets. Still, I’m keeping him on due to experience, production and theoretical upside. Rounding out this group is Johnson, who just shows up and makes plays every summer on defense and provides game day value as a core special teamer.

Fangio, on Aug. 18, regarding Johnson:

“Patrick was a guy that we were disappointed to lose last year when we did. He’s a reliable player that knows how to play and we’re glad to have him back and he does well when he gets his reps.”

Linebacker (4): Zack Baun, Jihaad Campbell, Jeremiah Trotter Jr., Smael Mondon Jr.

PUP: Nakobe Dean

This might have been the easiest position to forecast. The biggest question throughout much of camp surrounded who would start opposite Baun on Sept. 4, rookie Jihaad Campbell or second-year pro Jeremiah Trotter Jr. On Friday evening, we learned as much, with Campbell watching the finale from the sideline alongside starters and prominent contributors. All three should have a defensive role, with Mondon Jr. – who had a strong training camp – serving as a special teams dynamo.

Cornerback (6): Quinyon Mitchell, Cooper DeJean, Adoree’ Jackson, Jakorian Bennett, Kelee Ringo, Mac McWilliams

No surprises here. Jackson, who sat for the finale, probably starts Week 1, while Bennett could eventually overtake the veteran once fully up to speed defensively. The 24-year-old Bennett not only provides sticky coverage, but he’s also proven to be a strong tackler. I’m not entirely sure what the Eagles do here with Ringo, who whiffed in his opportunity for a starting job but is dynamic on special teams. Feels like a clean slate would serve both parties well. After two seasons, I have the Eagles moving on from 23-year-old Eli Ricks, who was most impacted by the Bennett trade.

Safety (4): Reed Blankenship, Drew Mukuba, Sydney Brown, Tristin McCollum

I went chalk here, though I really wanted to find a way to keep Andre’ Sam on the 53. The second-year safety brings positive energy, plays with a chip on his shoulder and performed well on special teams. Assuming he clears waivers, Sam will be someone the Eagles want back in the building on the practice squad.

Specialists (3)

K: Jake Elliott

P: Braden Mann

LS: Charley Hughlett

– Andrew DiCecco (@AndrewDiCecco) is a Staff Reporter/Content Producer for InsideTheBirds.com