Philadelphia Eagles: Pre-preseason 53 man roster prediction

Offensive line: Jordan Mailata, Isaac Seumalo, Jason Kelce, Brandon Brooks, Lane Johnson, Andre Dillard, Nate Herbig, Jack Driscoll, Landon Dickerson (Non-Football Injury list)

The Philadelphia Eagles’ offensive line depth chart has a big, cartwheeling question mark by the name of Landon Dickerson.

If he’s healthy, the second-round pick out of Alabama unquestionably deserves a spot on the 53 man roster and would likely be the top reserve at both guard and the center position right out of the gate.

If, however, he’s just not ready for primetime and the Eagles instead have to start him off on the non-football injury list, then the team will be forced to go light at the game’s most important portion and utilize their practice squad for call-up depth from week to week.

Fortunately, the Eagles actually have three outstanding reserves who should keep Dickerson’s seat warm until he’s good to go.

In 2020, Nate Herbig and Jack Driscoll proved they are worthy contributors who could potentially play for a long time. Herbig specifically looks like an ideal developmental right guard of the future who could step in for Brandon Brooks once he moves on to the next chapter of his very interesting life, and Driscoll may be a Danny Kelly-esque swing tackle who could eventually become a four-position backup and maybe even starter when Lane Johnson’s Eagles days are done.

Factor in Andre Dillard, assuming he isn’t traded, and the Eagles’ offensive line should be a whole lot better than in 2020 if everyone can just stay healthy for 16 games.

… what? There are 17 games now? Oh goodness, we’re screwed.

Defensive line: Brandon Graham, Fletcher Cox, Javon Hargrave, Josh Sweat, Derek Barnett, Milton Williams, Marlon Tuipolutu, Ryan Kerrigan

Welp, it had to happen eventually.

After finding a way to sneak all of the Eagles’ offensive draft picks onto their active roster, one of the team’s nine selections will have to test the waiver wire before being guaranteed a spot on the practice squad.

Good luck, 2021 sixth-round pick Tarron Jackson; I hope you are unwanted.

Now granted, would it stink to lose an intriguing Day 3 draftee for the second summer in a row? Most definitely. Despite his lack of on-field rookie production in Washington, losing Casey Toohill for nothing to a division rival is a poor allocation of assets.

With that being said, the Eagles’ defensive line is absolutely loaded with interesting rushing options across the board, and thus, holding onto a sixth defensive end may just be superfluous, especially when you consider Milton Williams can be deployed at any position across the line as a do-it-all rusher.

Sidebar: I know I’m like the 50th person to tell you this but keep an eye on Josh Sweat this fall. He’s thoroughly outplayed Derek Barnett this summer in a contract year and may just be Philly’s answer to Danielle Hunter in Jonathan Gannon’s Minnesota adjacent defense.