Roster Release

After 18 practices, three preseason games, and a few days to take everything into account, the Eagles established their initial 53-man roster. The trim from 90 to 53 was accompanied by a minor surprise or two, though its current state is sure to undergo some tweaks between now and the season-opener on Sept. 4.

The team can begin assembling their practice squad, which the Eagles view as an extension of the active roster, Wednesday afternoon. If past seasons are of any indication, expect to see several of the players who were omitted from the initial 53 return on the practice squad to further their development.

Some housekeeping notes pertaining to the roster:

Placed on Reserve/Physically Unable to Perform: LB Nakobe Dean

Placed on Reserve/Injured and Designated for Return: T Myles Hinton

Eagles GM Howie Roseman (left) and HC Nick Sirianni unveiled the team’s first 53-man roster Tuesday.

Without further ado, here’s a glance at the Eagles’ initial 53-man roster.

Quarterback (3): Jalen Hurts, Tanner McKee, Sam Howell

Rookie six-rounder Kyle McCord struggled this summer and could return on the practice squad. The Eagles shored up their depth behind Hurts and McKee by trading for Sam Howell. While McKee’s thumb injury lingers, Eagles’ executive vice president/general manager Howie Roseman — always striving to better the roster — said he would’ve made the trade, regardless.

“We just thought it was an opportunity to improve in the short-term quarterback position,” Roseman said, “which is obviously a hugely important position. For us, having those three guys again as we start the season, the opportunity to have those guys with the experience that they have in that room, just we felt like it was in the best interest of the team for this season.”

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

The room features an ideal blend of versatility and power behind Barkley. Shipley, a second-year pro, was a summer standout who is primed for an expanded role. His pass-catching prowess and explosiveness is the perfect complement to Barkley. Shipley, who boasts an extremely high football IQ, inherits the role previously held by Kenny Gainwell. Dillon had an active camp, showing no ill effects of the neck injury that sidelined him last season. The veteran bruiser projects as a short-yardage back and closer, while also accompanying Shipley on kick returns.

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

Dotson had a strong camp and is entrenched as the third receiver. His growing rapport with Hurts was evident throughout the summer. Metchie III, acquired this month in a trade with the Houston Texans, provides versatility and depth. With only a handful of practices and the preseason finale to gauge, Metchie III projects as another savvy, late-summer Roseman find. Cooper defied long odds, making the initial roster as an undrafted rookie in a crowded room. The Tarleton State product brought it every day in camp, showcasing toughness and consistency, along with the occasional splash play. To start, Cooper could potentially carve out a third phase role in addition to using his strength and grit offensively as a blocker. It’s worth noting that the latter is a role that head coach Nick Sirianni covets, as evidenced by Johnny Wilson’s role last season, along with Zach Pascal and Olamide Zaccheaus in year’s past.

In the end, there proved to be no room for second-year wide receiver Ainias Smith, who made notable strides compared to where he was at this time last summer, but wasn’t quite consistent enough to stick on the active roster. While his omission, in theory, deprives the Eagles of a clear-cut returner on game day, Sirianni said the team has quality options and he has a plan. Smith, by the way, could potentially return on the practice squad.

Tight end (3): Dallas Goedert, Grant Calcaterra, Kylen Granson

I had E.J. Jenkins as the No. 3 tight end on my final 53-man roster projection due to blocking prowess and, in theory, fulfilling a role offensively similar to the one Wilson undertook last season. But the Eagles ultimately chose the player who had the more consistent camp, particularly as a pass-catcher, in the veteran Granson, who also offers game day value on special teams. I expect the team to add a player at the position on the practice squad.

Offensive line (11): Jordan Mailata, Landon Dickerson, Cam Jurgens, Tyler Steen, Lane Johnson, Fred Johnson Matt Pryor, Drew Kendall, Trevor Keegan, Brett Toth, Cameron Williams

This new-look unit now includes Fred Johnson, acquired in a trade earlier this week. Johnson, who in free agency signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars after three seasons in Philadelphia, will be the team’s all-important game day swing tackle. Pryor and the rookie Kendall, who offers center/guard versatility, are likely to be the other two linemen active on game days. Keeping player development in mind, the team retained Keegan, a 2024 fifth-round pick who logged just 35 snaps offensively as a rookie. Keegan offers interior versatility. As for Williams, the athleticism is as apparent as was his rawness as a prospect. Stashed toward the back end of a crowded offensive line group, Williams will continue to develop under offensive line guru Jeff Stoutland.

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 year in the building in meetings and developing under DL coach Clint Hurtt. He missed some time in camp with a groin injury, and 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, Ogbo Okoronkwo

The depth behind Smith and Hunt is an area the team might look to address in the coming days. Throughout the summer, defensive coordinator Vic Fangio didn’t mince words when assessing 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. Okoronkwo, signed just before training camp, showcased quickness off the edge and had some positive moments in practice. He adds experience to a young room. When asked about what appealed to him about Okoronkwo, Roseman explained that he’s been a player who has long been on his radar.

“He’s a guy we love having on this football team,” he said. “He’s got get-off, he’s explosive. You see that he can rush, he can win one-on-one matchups on the edge. We had followed him through college and then as he started his career, in LA and Houston. Then, I remember Coach [Nick Sirianni] and I, when we practiced against Cleveland a couple of years ago, just going, ‘Man, that guy’s hard to block.’ I think that as he gets more familiar with our defense and can play fast, he’s got the tools to certainly help us in a rotation.”

The odd man out here was Patrick Johnson, who enjoyed another productive August as a pass-rusher and core special teamer. There seemingly wasn’t anything else he could have done to punch his ticket onto the roster, but the fifth-year pro fell victim to a numbers game.

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

This projects to be the deepest, most diverse group of second-level defenders the Eagles have had in years. 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. In the preseason finale, 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. There’s a good chance one of Dallas Gant or Lance Dixon resurfaces on the practice squad, perhaps both.

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. Ringo, a third-year pro, failed to maximize his opportunity to seize a starting job but has become one of the league’s best special teams performers. McWilliams, a rookie, is someone the team is high on. The UCF product was cross-trained at corner and nickel in training camp and will help on special teams. I’m curious to see if t he scrappy, instinctive McWilliams eventually carves out a role in sub-packages.

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

Blankenship, entering his fourth season, has grown into a leadership role and acts as a steadying presence. His football intelligence and communication skills are two under-discussed facets of his game. Curious to see whether it’s Brown or Mukuba who gets the nod opposite Blankenship to start the season. Both offer differing skill sets, with Brown being the twitchy, heat-seeking missile and Mukuba the cerebral ball-hawk with plenty of range. McCollum, who has a fan in defensive coordinator Vic Fangio, rounds out the group. McCollum, who has a firm grasp of the inner workings of the defense, is evidently a player Fangio trusts.

Specialists (3)

K: Jake Elliott

P: Braden Mann

The notable omission here is veteran long-snapper Charley Hughlett, whom the Eagles signed in free agency. Releasing Hughlett afforded the Eagles another roster spot, giving them the flexibility to go heavier at a certain position or create room to a retain a younger player with developmental upside. Presumably, Hughlett returns in some capacity.

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