Full of Backs

With an eye toward Organized Team Activities (OTAs), the Eagles have seemingly assembled a roster primed for another deep postseason run in 2025. But the next phase, OTAs, for all intents and purposes, is where the evaluations truly begin. It’s where competitions take shape, players can make an early impression and fluid depth charts are established.

While we haven’t yet seen any of the Eagles log a competitive snap this offseason, I’ve forecasted what I’m projecting well before training camp. As an exercise I do every offseason, here is my way-too-early Eagles 53-man roster projection.

GETTY IMAGES: Eagles LB-turned-FB Ben VanSumeren is expected to have a roster spot on the 53 at his new position.

Offense (25)

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

Pretty straightforward. I have McCord, a 2025 sixth-round pick and superior passer, warding off Dorian Thompson-Robinson, whom the Eagles acquired from the Browns in the Kenny Pickett trade. I don’t expect Howie Roseman to move off a draft pick in year one, barring a turbulent summer.

Running backs (4): Saquon Barkley, Will Shipley, A.J. Dillon, Avery Williams

Shipley, who I feel will perform well enough this summer to stave off Dillon for the No. 2 running back gig, fulfills the change-up role. The second-year running back possesses dynamic qualities and explosiveness, but his standing in the pecking order may come down to pass protection. I’m not totally sold on Dillon, who missed the 2024 campaign with a neck injury, but he gives the team a suitable option to grind clock or if Barkley were to miss a game. Williams, once utilized as a running back with the Falcons, will likely be classified as such with the Eagles, albeit deployed sparingly. His primary function will be on both kick and punt returns, but Sirianni gushed at the Owners Meetings about the prospects of creatively using Williams.

Fullback (1): Ben VanSumeren

VanSumeren was running full speed back in mid-March and appears to be on track to be ready for his third training camp. One of the team’s best athletes, VanSumeren — a converted linebacker — also brings size, toughness and special teams prowess to the table. I’m curious to see how new offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo chooses to deploy VanSumeren, who has now been issued No. 43. Think Leonard Weaver.

Wide receiver (5): A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, Jahan Dotson, Johnny Wilson, Danny Gray

Depth beyond the top three is a bit concerning, as Wilson hasn’t done much to inspire the confidence that he’ll take a step forward as a pass-catcher. I left off Ainias Smith, a 2024 fifth-round pick, due to his limitations as an inside receiver. Smith should, however, get a long look in training camp at punt returner, which would obviously increase his value and help his case. Perhaps surprising to some, I have Gray rounding out the room due to his blistering speed, three-level ability and inside-outside versatility. A 2022 third-round pick of the San Francisco 49ers, Gray spent last season a member of the Eagles’ scout team and reportedly maximized his opportunities in practice, giving the starting secondary all they could handle.

Tight end (2): Dallas Goedert, Grant Calcaterra

I have the Eagles going light here, parting with veterans Harrison Bryant and Kylen Granson, as well as returnee E.J. Jenkins and keeping only Calcaterra behind Goedert. This is a position where I believe the team can stash one or two on the practice squad. Of the aforementioned, I’m highest on Jenkins, the former collegiate wide receiver who has been developing nicely behind the scenes.

Offensive line (10): Jordan Mailata, Landon Dickerson, Cam Jurgens, Tyler Steen, Lane Johnson, Kendall Lamm, Kenyon Green, Drew Kendall, Myles Hinton, Hollin Pierce

Steen starts at right guard, while Lamm and Green serve critical roles as the gameday swing tackle and reserve guard, respectively. Unlike 2024 draftee Dylan McMahon, Kendall, a center/guard, holds on to become the team’s backup center, while Hinton gives offensive line maestro Jeff Stoutland a developmental tackle to mold. And with the exception of last season, an undrafted rookie has defied the odds to make the Eagles’ 53-man roster. Without having seen him take a competitive snap at the pro level, I’m forecasting that player to be Pierce, whom I had a fifth-round grade on. He’s raw, but at 6-foot-8, 340 pounds, the Rutgers product is intriguing. If he offers guard versatility like Becton last season, a serious case could be made for Pierce accomplishing the improbable.

Defense (25)

Defensive tackle (6): Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis, Moro Ojomo, Ty Robinson, Thomas Booker IV, Gabe Hall

This group, aside from Carter, is a bit of a projection. As mentioned once or twice this offseason, Milton Williams — now of the New England Patriots — played 501 snaps for the Eagles last season. For perspective, Davis and Ojomo each accounted for 37 percent (388 snaps). One or both will need to see an uptick in snaps and make an impact to atone for the loss. The rookie Robinson will have a rotational role and should make his presence felt relatively early. Booker, who shined in camp last summer with effort and interior push, endeared himself to coordinator Vic Fangio, so I believe he’ll have a role.

I rounded out the room with Hall, a practice squad holdover who can play every spot on the defensive line. While so much money is devoted to the offense at the moment, the pendulum will eventually swing to the other side, and the Eagles will need to pay Carter, among others. Hall, considered a crown jewel of the 2024 rookie free agent class, would furnish the backend of the roster with affordable depth for the future.

EDGE (5): Nolan Smith, Jalyx Hunt, Azeez Ojulari, Bryce Huff, Antwuan Powell-Ryland

Smith headlines the group and offers double digit sack potential, and I’m expecting Hunt to make the biggest leap forward of any defensive player, elbowing his way into a starting job. Ojulari, the most appealing of the Eagles’ one-year, prove-it signings, should factor prominently in the pass rush rotation. The Eagles believe the story has yet to be written on Huff, which I agree with. Perhaps a full offseason with the team serves him well, though it’s possible the big-ticket free-agent signing of a year ago simply isn’t a fit for Fangio’s defense. Powell-Ryland, assuming he flashes and offers special teams ability, latches on to the final spot. You’ll notice I don’t have veteran Josh Uche listed, as I need to see him produce before I pencil him in. Unlike Huff, there isn’t a ton of money attached.

Off-ball linebacker (4): Zack Baun, Jihaad Campbell, Jeremiah Trotter Jr., Smael Mondon Jr. (*PUP: Nakobe Dean)

This group is a tad light, as I have Dean opening the season on the Reserve/Physically Unable to Perform list, and we don’t yet know exactly how much Campbell can shoulder in the early going. Trotter Jr., sharp-minded and instinctive, is primed for a larger role and Mondon Jr. could see situational work in addition to undertaking a crucial special teams role. To guard against any vulnerability at the position due to a number shortage, the Eagles could likely safely stash someone like holdover Dallas Gant on the practice squad.

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

At the moment, the marquee competition surrounds the cornerback spot opposite Mitchell, which figures to be a two-person race between Ringo and Jackson. I’m giving the early nod to Ringo, but Jackson provides some sorely needed veteran depth. McWilliams, a 2025 fifth-round pick, sticks and will provide inside-outside versatility as well as special teams upside. It’s telling that the Eagles opted to keep Ricks on the 53 all of last season amid the constant roster toggling. Though Ricks, an outside corner by trade, appeared in only seven games and didn’t have a role, the 23-year-old has pedigree and an enticing skill set. He’ll be in the running to seize the all-important top backup corner role once held by Isaiah Rodgers. Like Hall, Ricks gives the Eagles cost-effective depth at a premium position.

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

Blankenship heads a room light on experience. Who aligns opposite Blankenship between Mukuba and Brown will be a prominent storyline to monitor in the coming months. It would appear Mukuba, a 2025 second-round pick possessing many of the qualities with which Fangio seeks for his scheme, has the inside track. And for now, I have McCollum edging out the likes of Lewis Cine, Andre’ Sam and rookie free agent Maxen Hook. While Cine has the pedigree, it’s worth pointing out that the 25-year-old has played in only 11 games over three seasons and was waived last August by the Vikings, the team that drafted Cine in the first round in 2022. The Georgia product spent most of last season on the Bills’ practice squad before signing on to the Eagles’ active roster ahead of the postseason run. Waiting in the wings for the offseason, Cine was expectedly inactive for each postseason contest.

The name to watch here would be Sam, a 2024 rookie free agent who spent the entirety of last season on the practice squad. The Eagles like him, and he’ll now have the benefit of entering his second camp with a full offseason and familiarity with position coaches.

Specialists (3)

Kicker: Jake Elliott

Punter: Braden Mann

Long snapper: Charley Hughlett

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