10 Eagles Who Will Be Cut By Tuesday's Roster Deadline

2. Ben VanSumeren, LB

Third-year linebacker Ben VanSumeren joined the Eagles as an undrafted free agent in 2023 and quickly turned into a reliable special teams contributor, notching 180 snaps and another 50 on the defensive side.

He began his career as a fullback at Michigan State before transitioning to linebacker, showcasing the versatility that could become his calling card in the NFL. However, the writing was on the wall for VanSumeren once Philadelphia signed Oren Burks to a one-year deal in the offseason.

The Eagles' defense became their downfall in 2023, so improvements were necessary. VanSumeren only projects as a depth piece and special teams player long-term, giving the organization incentive to look elsewhere when trimming the roster down.

He's sure making this a difficult decision though. VanSumeren has been one of the team's best players in the preseason, showcasing improved ability in pass coverage. Despite notching only nine tackles during his rookie campaign, VanSumeren's proven he can become a valuable member on a team.

Given his relative inexperience on defense, he fits better on a rebuilding team than one with immediate Super Bowl aspirations. Just like a lot of the players on the this list, VanSumeren could be a practice squad addition and see some action in 2024 due to injuries across the team.

With 100 career tackles in college, he's growing into a dependable linebacker. His experience on offense helps VanSumeren diagnose plays, and Roseman likely wants to keep him on the roster if he can. It's unlikely, but the former Spartans standout may have earned himself a spot in that final preseason contest.