As we quickly approach the time of the start of the 2019 NFL regular season, it’s time to look at the Philadelphia Eagles’ 53-man roster. Doug Peterson and the rest of the coaching staff must cut 37 players in approximately two weeks. With what has been shown from training camp and two weeks worth of preseason, we’ll predict what that final roster will look like going into the regular season.
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Offense
QB (3): Carson Wentz, Josh McCown, Nate Sudfeld
Carson Wentz is the Eagles’ starter, that is a no brainer. Josh McCown was just recently just signed to the roster with a $2M contract. With his veteran experience and ability to be a starting quality quarterback just two years ago, it’s easy to see that this Wentz’s backup. Nate Sudfeld showed promise in the preseason, but with his injury he’ll end up being a developmental third-stringer once again.
RB (4): Jordan Howard, Miles Sanders, Darren Sproles, Corey Clement
The Eagles traded for Jordan Howard and drafted Miles Sanders, so they are obvious locks. Darren Sproles is a cheap veteran that provides a nice change-of-pace in small doses. Corey Clement plays a similar role, but is younger and can be trusted more consistently. Josh Adams is right on the bubble, but will more than likely find his way to the practice squad.
WR (6): Alshon Jeffery, DeSean Jackson, Nelson Agholor, J.J. Arcega-Whiteside, Marken Michel, Mack Hollins
Alshon, DJax, Agholor, and 2019 second-round pick Arcega-Tron are all locks. Yet, the last two spots will be highly debatable. Marken Michel showed why he deserves to be a part of the final roster in Week 1 of the preseason, when he beat Adoree’ Jackson deep on a 75-yard touchdown pass. Mack Hollins was an injury mystery last season, not playing a single game. However, Hollins has been a terrific special teams player ever since college and should be a decent developmental piece throughout the season. The difficult cut from this corps will be Greg Ward who, like Michel, has shown good talent in the preseason.
TE (3): Zach Ertz, Dallas Goedert, Joshua Perkins
Zach Ertz is easily the in the top-three of NFL tight ends. Dallas Goedert is the best backup tight end in the NFL and 90 percent of NFL teams would gladly have him as their starter. Joshua Perkins is a natural receiver and, with Richard Rodgers recently being injured, he’ll likely round out the tight end position for this year.
OL (9): Jason Peters, Isaac Seumalo, Jason Kelce, Brandon Brooks, Lane Johnson, Andre Dillard, Halapoulivaati Vaitai, Matt Pryor, Jordan Mailata
Jason Peters, Jason Kelce, Brandon Brooks and Lane Johnson are all players at the top of their positions in the league. Andre Dillard is the Eagles’ First Round selection from the 2019 Draft and is Peters’ successor. Isaac Seumalo was the starting left guard last season and while it was obvious that he was the least talented on that line, he is still the best at the position. Now for Halapoulivaati Vaitai. With recent trade rumors, it’s hard to say that he will be in an Eagles’ uniform whenever the regular season starts. Yet, if no trades happen before the cut-down begins, Vaitai will be a part of the final 53. Matt Pryor is a quality backup lineman that can play multiple positions, which is huge for a team. Jordan Mailata is the definition of raw talent. Only one year into learning and playing football, he would seem to be an easy release, but the 6’ 8”, 350-pound, 5.12 40-yard dash former Rugby player is just too much of a man and athlete to let be scooped up by another team.
Defense
DL (9): Brandon Graham, Fletcher Cox, Derek Barnett, Malik Jackson, Tim Jernigan, Vinny Curry, Josh Sweat, Hassan Ridgeway, Daeshon Hall
Brandon Graham, Fletcher Cox, Derek Barnett, Malik Jackson and Tim Jernigan are all locks for a defensive line that run multiple front fours. Vinny Curry was a quality pass rusher for the Eagles’ in their Super Bowl 52 run and will likely make this team once again. Josh Sweat, Hassan Ridgeway and Daeshon Hall are all young developmental pass-rushers that have shown through training camp and preseason that they all deserve a spot on this roster. Now for Shareef Miller, who for me was the hardest call in this entire article. Him being taken in the fourth round is normally a green light to make the roster. With Hall lighting up PFF in the preseason, Hassan Ridgeway playing well after a trade to get him and Josh Sweat being a much more developed player, it’s tough to say he can beat out anyone at his position. If Miller makes this team, it means the Eagles would have to take a player out of the other positions, which could happen, but I see Miller ending up on the practice squad being much more likely.
LB (6): Nigel Bradham, Zach Brown, Kamu Grugier-Hill, L.J. Fort, Nathan Gerry, T.J. Edwards
Nigel Bradham and Zach Brown will likely be the only players to see the defensive field more likely than not. Kamu is a great special teamer and will likely be the Sam Linebacker in a 4-3 formation. L.J. Fort and Nathan Gerry are both players who should make the team based on the weakness at the position. T.J. Edwards is most likely the player I have making the final 53 that will make the practice squad. With Edwards being a tackling machine in college and the previously mentioned weakness at this position, I see him making the active roster more than the practice squad.
CB (6): Ronald Darby, Avonte Maddox, Sidney Jones, Jalen Mills, Rasul Douglas, Cre’Von LeBlanc
Ronald Darby is a lock. Avonte Maddox has shown so much ability to play the entire secondary it isn’t even funny, AKA lock. Sidney Jones is finally completely healthy. When he was healthy, he was detestably a top-10 draft pick. Jalen Mills and Rasul Douglas get beat deep, but have had quality experience. Cre’Von LeBlanc played amazing with his snaps last season and has most definitely earned a roster spot.
S (4): Malcolm Jenkins, Rodney McCleod, Andrew Sendejo, Johnathan Cyprien
Malcolm Jenkins is one of the best at the safety position, enough said. Rodney McCleod and Andre Sendejo are both locks because of their experience, talent and contracts. Johnathan Cyprien is the only safety possible to be replaced, but with his experience and the fact that his challenger Tre Sullivan can be placed on the practice squad, he will make the final 53.
Specialists (3): P Cameron Johnston, K Jake Elliott, LS Rick Lovato
Cameron Johnston is a long ball punter that is developing to a true quality punter. Jake Elliott is the only kicker in the league I’d rather have kicking a 56-yard game-winning field goal instead of a 33-yard PAT, yet he’s still unchallenged. Rick Lovato is a very good LS because you probably have never heard of him.
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