Roster Recheck

PHILADELPHIA — The Eagles just wrapped a week that entailed five training camp practices, including three consecutive. This week, they’ll have three more and a walkthrough in anticipation of their preseason opener Saturday against the Baltimore Ravens. And with the preseason approaching, it feels like a good point to take stock of the roster with the benefit of perspective.

Here’s an updated look at my Eagles’ 53-man roster projection after eight training camp practices.

GETTY IMAGES: Has rookie QB Cole Payton already shown enough to be on the 53?

Offense: 26

Quarterback (3): Jalen Hurts, Andy Dalton, Cole Payton

My thought process remains the same: I just don’t see how the Eagles, with this roster, would be able to afford carrying four quarterbacks. The player missing here is Tanner McKee, who is more likely to yield a better return in a trade than the 38-year-old Dalton. Dalton, for what it’s worth, also happens to be the more consistent of the two through eight practices. McKee is valued inside the building – the Eagles aren’t likely to ship him out without what is deemed to be appropriate compensation – but the thinking here is that the fourth-year pro could entice a quarterback-needy franchise. The rookie Payton rounds out the room as the developmental arm. The North Dakota State product has experienced growing pains in the early going, as expected, but the tools are evident. Not sure the team would want to subject him to waivers. His fearlessness as a passer should make for compelling viewing Saturday, when the Eagles travel to MT&T Bank Stadium to take on the Baltimore Ravens.

Out: Tanner McKee

Running back (3): Saquon Barkley, Tank Bigsby, Will Shipley

When it comes to this position, there’s little suspense. Barkley, eyeing a bounce-back season, will fuel the ground game and command a heavy workload. The 29-year-old has looked good in the early stages of camp. In this new offense, it’ll be worth paying attention to if Barkley’s role in the passing game evolves. While Barkley headlines the room, the Eagles must find a way to get Tank Bigsby involved more consistently. Bigsby has shown impressive burst and home-run hitting ability and even answered the bell this week on multiple opportunities in pass protection. Mixing in Bigsby could also help preserve Barkley, who has shouldered the lion’s share of the carries. Shipley does a lot of the dirty work that isn’t always picked up by the untrained eye. He’s a core-four special teamer – he’s currently the team’s top kick returner and has been the Eagles’ personal protector since his rookie season – and is the Eagles’ most natural pass-catcher out of the backfield. Perhaps first-year coordinator Sean Mannion will find a complementary role for Shipley on offense.

Out: Dameon Pierce, Elijah Mitchell, Carson Steele

Wide receiver (6): DeVonta Smith, Makai Lemon, Dontayvion Wicks, Hollywood Brown, Darius Cooper, Johnny Wilson

Darius Cooper has emerged a camp standout for the second consecutive summer, delivering an abundance of highlight-reel catches and showcasing continuous improvement. The 24-year-old is just incredibly consistent, producing, at minimum, a play a day and earning the trust of his quarterbacks. Cooper, who last season impressed in his “dirty work” role, is willing to do whatever the team asks of him. I decided to go heavier here, including Johnny Wilson, who has flashed at times. The 6-foot-6 wideout, who was on track to make the roster last summer before suffering a season-ending injury, provides valued blocking prowess but also seems to be developing nicely as a pass-catcher. Wilson seems to be a player the team likes. There was no room for Elijah Moore, who has caught the ball well in camp but offers next to no special teams experience. Wilson, however, brings something different to the room.

Out: Elijah Moore, Britain Covey, Danny Gray, Quez Watkins, Samori Toure, Erik Ezukanma, Brandon Hayes

Tight end (4): Dallas Goedert, Johnny Mundt, Eli Stowers, Cameron Latu

Mundt, a physical inline blocker, gives the Eagles a player at the position who can consistently generate movement in the run. History suggests that Mundt won’t factor all that much as a receiver, as the 31-year-old has totaled only 74 receptions over 114 games, but the veteran provides an essential function. The rookie Stowers, who caught a few passes during the team period Saturday, will need time to develop. Progress isn’t linear. Give him some time. Still, I’m eager to see how he fares in the preseason games. Any Latu rep is a must-watch, as the tight end-fullback hybrid is extremely physical and always full-throttle. Latu stays on as a core special teamer, but I believe he has more to offer as a skill position player. He’s been targeted some in camp.

E.J. Jenkins, an imposing blocker in his own right, would be a quality addition to the practice squad. The 6-foot-6 Jenkins appeared in 10 career games for the Eagles over the past two seasons.

Out: Grant Calcaterra, E.J. Jenkins, Stone Smartt, Dae’Quan Wright

Offensive line (10): Jordan Mailata, Landon Dickerson, Cam Jurgens, Tyler Steen, Lane Johnson, Fred Johnson, Drew Kendall, Markel Bell, Willie Lampkin, John Ojukwu

The first eight slots are spoken for, with Bell and Kendall and Fred Johnson serving as key depth. Bell, a third-round pick in April, has garnered a healthy dose of first-team right tackle reps in camp and appears to be acquitting himself well. Kendall, from my perspective, has been one of the better stories of camp. The 24-year-old, a center by trade, has cross-trained at guard as the Eagles equip Kendall for his role as the team’s top interior backup. He’s had a nice camp.

The battle for the final two or three spots will certainly be a storyline worth monitoring throughout the summer. Lampkin, who has been repping at right guard with the second unit, has elbowed his way into the roster picture. The recent cross-training and apparent promotion to the second team is reason enough, but Lampkin has also impressed from a technical standpoint. The compactly built lineman wins with natural leverage and a powerful base. He’s maximized his reps, demonstrating value at both center and guard.

The player flying under-the-radar a little bit, who I find to be an interesting fit, is fourth-year man John Ojukwu. Ojukwu, who cross-trained at guard in the spring, has gotten a lot of work with the second-team at right tackle. A rookie free agent in 2023, Ojukwu, 27, brings with him 16 games (nine starts). With such inexperienced depth, rostering someone like Ojukwu makes sense.

Out: Myles Hinton, Cameron Williams, Michael Jordan, Hollin Pierce, Jake Majors, Jaeden Roberts

ITB PHOTO/ANDREW DICECCO: Third-year EDGE Jalyx Hunt has been a top performer in camp. Will he start this season?

Defense: 25

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

Carter, who last month signed a four-year, $152 million extension, has been a one-man wrecking crew this summer. Now back to full strength, the fourth-year defensive tackle is primed for a monster season. Davis, rewarded with a three-year, $78 million extension in March, and Ojomo have delivered interior penetration every practice. Both figure to reap the benefits of playing beside a healthy Carter. Byron Young is a good football player who would be more of a household name if he played elsewhere. Both Ojomo and Young are entering the final year of their rookie deals. I kept Robinson, a 2025 fourth-round pick, on because it’s probably too early to react to a quiet start to camp. I’ll have a better read after a couple of preseason games. While Bernard is very much a work in progress – “light-years” away, according to coordinator Vic Fnagio – I envision the team adopting the same approach as Jordan Mailata in 2018 and keeping him on the roster. And it makes sense, as Bernard would then be afforded valuable practice reps to grow from.

Out: Gabe Hall, Zion Wilson

Edge rusher (5): Jonathan Greenard, Jalyx Hunt, Nolan Smith, Arnold Ebiketie, A.J. Epenesa

Arguably the Eagles’ deepest position on defense, this pass-rush group offers an intriguing blend of experience, versatility and upside. Greenard, still on the active/physically unable to perform list with a pec strain, is the top-of-the-rotation ace who brings with him 38 career sacks. Beyond Greenard, there’s excitement for what’s potentially in store for the room’s ascending talent. Jalyx Hunt, now a popular breakout candidate, has been a summer standout and should push for double-digit sacks. The 25-year-old has made notable strides when it comes to refining his pass-rush. Nolan Smith, who came into camp healthy, is regarded as one of the more effective edge-setters, showcasing a mean streak and throwback mentality.

The free-agent signings of Ebiketie and Epenesa, so far, have proven to be a wise allocation of resources. Both offer different skill sets and have flashed in camp, though it’s worth noting that coordinator Vic Fangio has typically stuck to a lean game day rotation. Perhaps wealth of talent at the position forces him to break that tendency in 2026.

Out: Keyshawn James-Newby, Jose Ramirez, Joshua Weru

Off-ball Linebacker (5): Zack Baun, Jihaad Campbell, Jeremiah Trotter Jr., Smael Mondon Jr., Chance Campbell

Last summer, with Nakobe Dean beginning the year on the reserve/physically unable to perform list, the Eagles included four linebackers on its initial 53-man roster. Once Dean returned in Week 6, however, the Eagles rostered five. Special teams will be a key in determining the final spot(s). Remember, the Eagles lost two major third phase contributors this offseason in safety Sydney Brown and tight end Kylen Granson, who accounted for 332 and 290 snaps, respectively. Mondon Jr., as a rookie, finished with 289 special teams snaps. Look for the Georgia product to take on a larger role this season for coordinator Michael Clay.

Rounding things out is Campbell, who spent the entire 2025 season on the Eagles’ practice squad. A 2022 sixth-round pick of the Tennessee Titans, Campbell, 26, overlapped for two seasons (2022-23) with Eagles linebackers coach Bobby King. He has flashed in practice at various points throughout the spring and summer, showcasing plus-instincts and a high-level football IQ. Campbell, who has battled injuries in his career, has the tools to carve out a role as a core-four player on teams.

“Don’t sleep on Chance now,” Fangio said last week. “You guys, when you make your list out there, we like Chance. Chance is a good football player. He had some injuries earlier in his career that set him back. Since the day we picked him up last year, he’s shown that he’s a football player and we like him. Interestingly, last year we picked him up the last week of the preseason. I don’t remember the exact date. It was just a few days before the game, and he didn’t need that acclimation period.

Out: Deontae Lawson

Cornerback (5): Quinyon Mitchell, Cooper DeJean, Riq Woolen, Jonathan Jones, Kelee Ringo

The All-Pro tandem of Mitchell and DeJean headline this group, furnishing the backend with foundational pillars. DeJean will don multiple hats in 2026, as the third-year defender will also moonlight at safety in the Eagles’ base defense. Working in tandem with Mitchell on the outside will be the free-agent addition Woolen, who provides stability and big-play potential. The rangy 6-foot-4 cornerback has had a fairly quiet start to camp on the heels of an eye-opening spring, but with teams likely to avoid targeting Mitchell and DeJean whenever possible, Woolen figures to have plenty of opportunities this season for ball production.

Jones, who turns 33 in September, brings with him 144 games (78 starts) of experience and can align anywhere in the secondary. The veteran defender represents important depth. Ringo, 24, sticks due to his special teams prowess. Last season, Ringo finished third of the team in third phase snaps (312). I flirted with the idea of going heavier here, as Ringo is probably more of a specialist at this point, but I first need to see someone emerge. Second-year pro Mac McWilliams has had some bright moments early on and will be one to watch this preseason, and the well-traveled Tariq Castro-Fields has made the most of his opportunities.

Out: Jakorian Bennett, Mac McWilliams, Ambry Thomas, Tariq Castro-Fields, Kapena Gushiken, Shaun Wade

Safety (4): Drew Mukuba, Marcus Epps, Michael Carter II, Maximus Pulley

This group, through eight practices, has performed better than many expected. Mukuba, playing faster and more confidently, appears ready to take the next step in Year 2. He flies around on the backend, but it’s been Mukuba’s play speed and communication skills that has caught my attention. Epps, 30, remains the frontrunner to pair alongside Mukuba in nickel, but Carter II might have something to say about that as the summer progresses. The veteran defensive back boasts a sharp football mind and covers a lot of ground. He’s come on a bit. I have Pulley, who often finds himself around the ball, nabbing the final spot. The Wofford product snared an interception on Saturday and has gotten a hand on several others in the early days of camp. Rookie Cole Wisniewski has now missed six consecutive practices and has ground to make up. Preseason performance could be the ultimate separator.

Out: J.T. Gray, Andre’ Sam, Cole Wisniewski

Specialists (2):

Kicker: Jake Elliott

The Eagles are banking on a bounce-back campaign from the veteran placekicker, whose field goal percentage last season (74.1) registered as the second-lowest output of his career. Elliott was 4-of-8 from 50-plus and converted 7-of-10 attempts of 40-49 yards.

Punter: Braden Mann

Mann, who last season averaged a career-high in punting average (49.9) and delivered in key spots, signed a four-year, $14 million contract extension with the team back in March. Mann should be universally viewed as one of the league’s top punters.

No Long Snapper?

The Eagles released veteran long snapper Charley Hughlett last summer in their initial cutdown to 53 players. In this scenario, I have the team returning to the well in an effort to buy time as they (temporarily) lengthen the roster. Rookie Rocco Underwood is the only long snapper on the roster. Perhaps he begins the season on the practice squad, where Underwood can be elevated up to three times before the Eagles would need to make a decision.

— Andrew DiCecco (@AndrewDiCecco) is the Eagles beat reporter for InsideTheBirds.com.