The Eagles have not even trained yet, but their roster has already seen some notable changes in the last few weeks.
• Marquise Goodwin took down the season
• Vinny Curry is back on a one-year deal
• Veteran linebacker Jatavis Brown retired
With all those changes in mind, it was time for a new prediction of 53 man roster a few days before the Eagles start non-padded practices.
Here is the latest:
QB (3): Carson Wentz, Nate Sudfeld, Jalen Hurts
These three have not changed and they will not. Kyle Lauletta is the fourth quarterback and has a chance to be on the extended training team this season. Maybe the Eagles will change the way they treat quarterbacks this season, but I’m stuck with three on the 53-man roster.
RB (4): Miles Sanders, Boston Scott, Corey Clement, Adrian Killins Jr.
The top two are locks and Clement has a big lead for the next place. There’s been a lot of buzz from the Eagles’ camp about how well Clement’s looks after injuries ended his last two seasons. After those three, it’s a competition between Elijah Holyfield, Mike Warren and Adrian Killins. I honestly do not know who will win. My thinking earlier was that Holyfield has an advantage because he’s been here, but I think Killins has a real shot at showing in practice. I think he might be more of a project, but Killins has tremendous speed and that will show in practice more than Holyfield and Warren’s ability between approaches. It would have to be fascinating to watch.
WR (6): DeSean Jackson, Jalen Reagor, JJ Arcega-Whiteside, Greg Ward Jr., John Hightower, Quez Watkins
The big change here is the removal of Marquise Goodwin, who opted for the 2020 season. He was the only Eagles player to opt for it. Now, coming off an injury in 2019, I don’t think Goodwin was a roster lock, but he would probably make the team. Without him, it would probably open up a place for both late-rookies. With Goodwin in the mix, Hightower and Watkins would probably have fought for a spot, but I think both are making it now. Of the other returning players, Deontay Burnett keeps an eye out; he’s the only man I think has a shot.
TE (3): Zach Ertz, Dallas Goedert, Josh Perkins
Of course, the top two are set in stone and make up the best duo of tight ends in the NFL. After that? Well, it’s not great. Perkins wrestles with newcomer Caleb Wilson and UDFA Noah Togiai. With his experience in crime, Perk is the frontrunner for a job.
OL (9): Andre Dillard, Isaac Seumalo, Jason Kelce, Jason Peters, Lane Johnson, Jordan Mailata, Matt Pryor, Prince Tega Wanogho, Jack Driscoll
My judgment is that the Eagles hold nine or 10 offensive linemen. A few years ago they went with eight, but that was low for their uncharacteristic. And as long as they are healthy, I do not expect the Eagles to cut their draft picks, Tega Wanogho or Jack Driscoll. The real question for me was about Nate Herbig, the 10th OL and the 54th man on the roster. I got him away first.
DE (6): Brandon Graham, Derek Barnett, Vinny Curry, Josh Sweat, Genard Avery, Shareef Miller
The Eagles brought 32-year-old Vinny Curry back on a one-year deal, so we added him. Expect Curry to be the Eagles’ third defensive end, just like he was last year when he led Sweat in snaps. I also don’t think the Eagles will give up on Avery after they swapped a draft for him last season. The real question was how many DEs to keep. I chose to hold an extra DE and take in Shareef Miller over that 10th offensive lineman in Nate Herbig. I think the possibility that Miller will help you in 2020 is greater than Herbig.
DT (4): Fletcher Cox, Javon Hargrave, Malik Jackson, Hassan Ridgeway
I feel fairly confident about these four. This is a really impressive group of defensive approaches.
LB (5): Nathan Gerry, TJ Edwards, Duke Riley, Davion Taylor, Shaun Bradley
I did not actually have Jatavis Brown on my last prediction, but he is now sure of the list. The five-year veteran decided to retire, which means Bradley has a much better shot at a roster spot. I think the top four are locks because the Eagles will not cut third-party pickups. And I beat Bradley Alex Singleton for that last place. But Singleton has a shot.
CB (6): Darius Slay, Nickell Robey-Coleman, Avonte Maddox, Sidney Jones, Cre’Von LeBlanc, Rasul Douglas
If the Eagles hold six corners, Douglas is on the team. If the Eagles go light and keep five, I think they’ll cut him. But based on how many injuries they’ve seen at the position in recent years, Douglas’ for depth in the area makes sense to me. Heck, the reason he’s played so much the last few years is because boys get injured all the time.
S (4): Rodney McLeod, Jalen Mills, K’Von Wallace, Will Parks
Keep an eye on UDFA Grayland Arnold from Baylor in this group. I do not have him in the team at first, but he already makes an impression on his coaches and teammates. However, these four are set. If she kept five, it would go to Arnold, Rudy Ford or Marcus Epps.
ST (3): Jake Elliott, Cameron Johnston, Rick Lovato
No changes here.
PUP: Brandon Brooks, Alshon Jeffery
For now, Brooks and Alshon are at the PUP, so I’ll keep them there. The IR rules this season may actually change the way teams designations at the start of the season. Guys who put on IR can come back as long as they miss three games. So if the Eagles think Jeffery could be back in Week 4, then IR is actually a better option than PUP in 2020.
Exercise group (16+ international exemption): Nate Herbig, Kyle Lauletta, Deontay Burnett, Casey Toohill, Sua Opeta, Luke Juriga, Noah Togiai, Greyland Arnold, Alex Singleton, Tremon Smith, Joe Ostman, Mike Warren, Elijah Holyfield, Marcus Epps, Raequon Williams, Michael Jacquet, Matt Leo .
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