ITB’s Eagles 53-Man Roster Predictions

The annual NFL roster cutdown date is almost here. The Eagles need to trim their roster to 53 by 4 p.m. Saturday.

The Birds already made one move Thursday, waiving rookie free agent wide receiver Manasseh Bailey, a prospect from Morgan St.

In their latest Inside The Birds podcast, Adam Caplan and Geoff Mosher tried to narrow the roster down to 53, explaining""> some of the complications due to a rash of Eagles injuries.

Important to remember:

* The Injured Reserve rules are different for 2020. This year, the number of players who can go on Injured Reserve and come back is unlimited.

* Also, players can come back from Injured Reserve/Return designation after just three games, so players with minor injuries — like Will Parks and Jalen Reagor, for example, who are expected to miss a few weeks, but not a few months — might start off the season on IR/return just to allow the Eagles to keep extra reinforcements.

* The original 53 is almost irrelevant because of waiver claims and moves made within 24 to 36 hours of the initial 53.

Also, Mosher and Caplan “may” have made some slight changes to their 53-man predictions since recording the podcast.

Below is the updated, official 53-man roster predictions for Mosher, Caplan and Andrew DiCecco. Hint:

(Editor’s Note: Omitted from each three’s submissions are kicker Jake Elliott, punter Cameron Johnson, and long snapper Rick Lovato, because they’re all locks to make the team.)

Adam Caplan’s 53-man roster

Offense (23)
QB (3): Carson Wentz, Nate Sudfeld, Jalen Hurts
RB (3): Miles Sanders (I), Boston Scott, Corey Clement
WR (6): DeSean Jackson, Alshon Jeffery (remove from active/PUP) (I), Jalen Reagor (I), John Hightower, Greg Ward, J.J. Arcega-Whiteside
TE (3): Zach Ertz, Dallas Goedert, Noah Togiai
OL (8): Jason Peters, Lane Johnson (I), Isaac Seumalo, Jason Kelce, Matt Pryor, Jack Driscoll, Nate Herbig, Jordan Mailata
IR: Andre Dillard
Reserve/PUP: Brandon Brooks

COMMENTS: The side of the ball isn’t hard to project. The only issue really is whether the team keeps 6 or 7 WRs.

Defense (27)
DE (7): Brandon Graham, Derek Barnett (I), Vinny Curry, Josh Sweat, Shareef Miller, Joe Ostman, Casey Toohill
DT (4): Fletcher Cox, Javon Hargrave, Malik Jackson, Hassan Ridgeway
LB (6): Nate Gerry, Duke Riley, TJ Edwards, Shaun Bradley, Davion Taylor, Alex Singleton
CB (5): Darius Slay, Avonte Maddox, Nickell Robey-Coleman, Cre’Von LeBlanc, Craig James
S (5): Rodney McLeod, Jalen Mills, Marcus Epps, K’Von Wallace, Rudy Ford
IR: Genard Avery, Will Parks.
COMMENTS: The tough calls on defense for the front office will likely be: Alex Singleton, Joe Ostman, Casey Toohill. Parks makes sense to place on IR. And with this year’s rule, he only has to miss 3 games. That helps Eagles keep 7 DEs on their roster for at least the first 3 weeks. Keep in mind starting DE Derek Barnett is dealing with a significant ankle injury.

Geoff Mosher’s 53-man roster

Offense (23)
QB (3): Carson Wentz, Nate Sudfeld, Jalen Hurts
RB (3): Miles Sanders, Boston Scott, Corey Clement
WR (6): DeSean Jackson, Alshon Jeffery, Jalen Reagor, John Hightower, Greg Ward, J.J. Arcega-Whiteside
TE (3): Zach Ertz, Dallas Goedert, Noah Togiai
OL (8): Jason Peters, Lane Johnson, Isaac Seumalo, Jason Kelce, Matt Pryor, Jack Driscoll, Nate Herbig, Jordan Mailata
COMMENTS: Only question about QBs is how comfortable the Eagles feel about going into the season without a true veteran backup and with Sudfeld as the No. 2 … RB could be a position the team fortifies via waiver wire, with only three making it … Deontay Burnett doesn’t make it, but look for the Eagles to get him on the practice squad and use the new rule that allows two practice squad callups for game day, especially while Reagor and Jeffery are out … OL depth is a concern, so look for Eagles to bolster this position via waiver claims if they can.

Defense (27)
DE (7): Brandon Graham, Derek Barnett, Vinny Curry, Josh Sweat, Genard Avery, Shareef Miller, Joe Ostman
DT (4): Fletcher Cox, Javon Hargrave, Malik Jackson, Hassan Ridgeway
LB (6): Nate Gerry, Duke Riley, TJ Edwards, Alex Singleton, Shaun Bradley, Davion Taylor
CB (5): Darius Slay, Avonte Maddox, Nickell Robey-Coleman, Cre’Von LeBlanc, Craig James
S (5): Rodney McLeod, Jalen Mills, Will Parks, Marcus Epps, K’Von Wallace
COMMENTS: Casey Toohill was a pleasant surprise in camp but will be outside looking in, from the practice squad … When you’re as deep as the Eagles are at DT, no need to keep more than four … I have Alex Singleton making it, but I could see the team cutting him and taking its chance on the two rookie backups, which would be a mistake … Marcus Epps will be the third safety while Parks is out. It’s possible Rudy Ford makes it for special teams, although I have him cut.

Andrew DiCecco’s 53-man roster

Offense (24)
QB (3): Carson Wentz, Nate Sudfeld, Jalen Hurts
RB (3): Miles Sanders, Boston Scott, Corey Clement
WR (7): DeSean Jackson, Alshon Jeffery, Jalen Reagor, John Hightower, Greg Ward, J.J. Arcega-Whiteside, Deontay Burnett
TE (3): Zach Ertz, Dallas Goedert, Noah Togiai
OL (8): Jason Peters, Lane Johnson, Isaac Seumalo, Jason Kelce, Matt Pryor, Jack Driscoll, Nate Herbig, Jordan Mailata
COMMENTS: Sudfeld’s grip on the No. 2 role is tenuous at best. Rookie Jalen Hurts figures to see the field for a handful of snaps ….While Sanders is primed for a breakout sophomore campaign, Scott could feasibly shoulder 6-8 touches per game. Clement adds value as a between the tackles grinder and special teams ace….With Jeffery and Reagor sidelined, I went heavy at receiver for now. Arcega-Whiteside will be counted on to take a monumental leap at the ‘X’ spot. The versatile Hightower can play multiple positions and contribute on special teams. Burnett’s experience pushes Quez Watkins out…Togiai, an undrafted free agent, has a knack for finding the soft spot in zone, catches consistently, and is a vastly underrated blocker….The question of who lines up at left tackle remains prevalent. I only have eight OL here but I foresee the team placing a waiver claim or initiating a trade to fortify the unit.

Defense (27)
DE (6): Brandon Graham, Derek Barnett, Vinny Curry, Josh Sweat, Joe Ostman, Casey Toohill
DT (4): Fletcher Cox, Javon Hargrave, Malik Jackson, Hassan Ridgeway
LB (5): Nate Gerry, Duke Riley, TJ Edwards, Shaun Bradley, Davion Taylor
CB (5): Darius Slay, Avonte Maddox, Nickell Robey-Coleman, Cre’Von LeBlanc, Rasul Douglas, Craig James
S (5): Rodney McLeod, Jalen Mills, Will Parks, Marcus Epps, K’Von Wallace, Grayland Arnold
COMMENTS: Shareef Miller, a 2019 fourth-round pick, is a notable omission. (I wasn’t a fan of the pick, I was a massive advocate for Texas pass rusher Charles Omenihu, who went a round later). Miller battled injuries and inconsistency and was outplayed in camp by Ostman and Toohill…The veteran trio of Cox, Hargrave, and Jackson comprise the most formidable group of DTs in the NFL… I have to think the Eagles will be keeping a close eye on the waiver wire or a potential player swap to bolster the LBs…The rookie Bradley could earn some early defensive looks and thrive on special teams…Sidney Jones’ tenure in Midnight Green has likely expired. He doesn’t play special teams, which is essentially a requirement for a No. 4 corner…Douglas, who finished the 2019 season ranked third in special teams snaps, sticks as a third-phase standout and reserve…James has quietly had a decent training camp and is one of the team’s top special teams performers…I went heavy at safety. Wallace should carve out a prominent role on special teams. Arnold has enjoyed a productive summer and has versatility to align anywhere.