The Philadelphia Eagles prepare to defend their Super Bowl championship this season with a handful of new faces. As with most Super Bowl Champions, the Eagles lost a number of key players from their roster last season, including five starters.
Before the defense of their championship begins, there are OTAs, training camp, and the preseason to trim their current roster from 90 to 53.
Here is my first crack at a way-too-early 53-man roster prediction!
OFFENSE (25):
Quarterback (3): Jalen Hurts, Tanner McKee and Kyle McCord
The only true battle taking place in the quarterback room is who will be the emergency third quarterback. Hurts and McKee are locked in as starter and backup.
The Eagles traded their previous backup, Kenny Pickett, in a deal that swapped quarterbacks, bringing in Dorian Thompson-Robinson from the Cleveland Browns earlier in the offseason. Howie then made another move to add to the quarterback factory. He drafted Syracuse QB Kyle McCord with a sixth-round pick.
I give McCord the upper hand over DTR currently. It is rare to see the Eagles waste a draft pick in general, and not see the 53-man roster in their rookie season. Especially quarterbacks. DTR will need to show the Eagles quite a bit to beat out McCord.
Running Back (4): Saquon Barkley, Will Shipley, AJ Dillon & Avery Williams
I have AJ Dillon as a fringe roster guy. What makes him fit? No single running back can shoulder all of Barkley's volume if he gets hurt. I am not convinced the Eagles want to give him that same massive workload again, either. However, AJ Dillon and Will Shipley are a perfect thunder and lightning combo to split that volume.
And then Williams, who fits as a truly elite, all-around special-teams player. He has already received praise and excitement from head coach Nick Sirianni. He has 112 total kick and punt returns, plus 950 special teams snaps across only three NFL seasons. Plain and simple, the Eagles love special teamers like Williams who can help across all facets of special teams.
Fullback (1): Ben VanSumeren
The fullback position is alive and well for the Eagles. Wouldn't be surprised if Ty Robinson, yes defensive linemen, creatively sees snaps here too. He saw six snaps at the fullback position at 310 pounds last season in college.
Wide Receiver (5): AJ Brown, DeVonta Smith, Jahan Dotson, Ainias Smith & Johnny Wilson
The Eagles really haven't added much wide receiver-wise this offseason. While the prospect of what happens if Brown or Smith were to get injured may create great anxiety among fans, it doesn't seem to resonate the same with the Eagles' decision-makers. Perhaps Terrace Marshall, who was signed in the early offseason, could make a push to land on the roster. However, I just don't see it right now without a significant camp and preseason resurgence. I see the wide receiver room remaining the same next season as it was in 2024.
Tight End (2): Dallas Goedert & Grant Calcaterra
Based on other positional decisions around the roster, it is very challenging to see the Eagles keeping more than two tight ends. With Goedert's injury history, I anticipate at least two on the practice squad. I heavily debated Harrison Bryant here as a third due to his blocking capabilities, and Calcaterra's lack thereof. The potential still exists that he makes the 53-man roster, but it is just too early without seeing if he can carve out a role that Sirianni and the offensive staff are happy with.
Offensive Tackle (5): Lane Johnson, Jordan Mailata, Cameron Williams, Myles Hinton & Hollin Pierce
The first potential shock. I have undrafted free agent Hollin Pierce making the final 53-man roster. Williams appears to be the one who will get the primary shot at developing into the heir apparent to Lane Johnson at right tackle. Miles Hinton is poised to become Fred Johnson's swing tackle replacement. Pierce is another piece I just don't see Stoutland wanting to risk losing. He can play both tackle positions and has absolutely massive, elite size measurables. A perfect Stoutland U student.
Interior Offensive Line (5): Landon Dickerson, Cam Jurgens, Tyler Steen, Kenyon Green & Drew Kendall
The interior offensive line feels heavy to me, and I believe will end up as five guys. Keegan to me was the odd man. Green is this year's Becton. He will get a shot at the right guard job, and Howie is going to try and build value with him. Steen, at this time, is the starting right guard, but even if he ultimately loses, he has proved a reliable swing guard and depth piece on the offensive line. Kendall steps in as primarily a backup center, but the Eagles have pushed a guard designation as well.
How Green, Keegan, and Kendall diversify their positional versatility will be interesting to watch through the offseason.
DEFENSE (25):
Interior Defensive Line (4): Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis, Moro Ojomo & Ty Robinson
Thomas Booker is someone who made a push last offseason and will have to prove to the Eagles again that he is developing and will bring more to his game over his 2024 play. Otherwise, the other four are locks. Just a matter of whether Booker could force the Eagles' hand again and make it five.
EDGE (5): Nolan Smith, Jalyx Hunt, Azeez Ojulari, Bryce Huff & Antwaun Powell-Ryland
Another fairly easy position to predict. Smith and Hunt, barring a surprise veteran being brought in by Howie, will be the starting edge rushers. Ojulari will work into the rotation. Powell-Ryland will develop, and as long as the room remains this way, will see some playing time when the rotation warrants. Joshua Uche could make a push to land on the roster, and due to Nakobe Dean likely starting the season on PUP, could help him squeeze on.
Then, of course, the elephant in the room. Huff will remain on the roster because, financially, it makes no sense for the Eagles to trade or release him. They will need to keep him through the 2025 season before likely moving on next offseason.
LB (5): Zach Baun, Jeremiah Trotter Jr., Jihaad Campbell, Nakobe Dean & Smael Mondon Jr.
The odds are that Dean will likely end up on PUP to start the season. Otherwise, the other four are locks. Patrick Johnson could make a run, especially with his effectiveness as a special-teams player. However, this will depend on how many mainly special-teams players the Eagles plan to hold.
Cornerback (6): Quinyon Mitchell, Cooper DeJean, Kelee Ringo, Adoree Jackson, Eli Ricks & Mac McWilliams
Another fairly easy position to call. If an opportunity arises for Howie to improve on Jackson, we could see a different veteran corner in the room. Otherwise, Mitchell, DeJean, and Ringo will start. Ringo should see a long leash to become the starting outside corner across from Mitchell.
S(4): Sydney Brown, Reed Blankenship, Andrew Mukuba & Maxen Hook
After the surprise Chauncey Gardner-Johnson trade in the off-season, there was a significant void in the safety room. Early expectation was that Brown was getting his chance, until the Eagles selected Mukuba with the 64th pick in the NFL Draft. Let the competition begin for who will start beside Reed Blankenship.
Otherwise, beyond the main three, here comes another surprise. I believe that the Eagles will give a shot to their highest-paid UDFA in guaranteed money, $200,000, Maxen Hook. He has size. He has speed. He has plus production across four collegiate seasons. Not to mention the intriguing positional versatility that Vic Fangio will enjoy. He would immediately be able to contribute on special teams.
SPECIAL TEAMS (3):
Kicker: Jake Elliot
Punter: Braden Mann
Long Snapper: Charley Hughlett