Final Eagles 53-Man Roster Projection
The Philadelphia Eagles defeated the New York Jets by a final score of 19-17 to finish the preseason with a record of 2-1. Now that both training camp and the preseason are officially over, the Eagles will shift their attention to final cuts.
Each NFL team will have to trim their roster from 90 players down to 53 players by 4:00 PM ET on Tuesday, August 26th. While the Eagles will certainly make a few unpredictable moves, it’s always fun to project Philadelphia’s final 53-man roster each year.
Following a rather uneventful training camp and stale slate of preseason games, here is my final Eagles 53-man roster projection.
Offense
QB (3): Jalen Hurts, Tanner McKee, Kyle McCord
Tanner McKee’s mysterious finger injury could dramatically alter Philadelphia’s plans during final cuts. Given how uninspiring it was to watch both Kyle McCord and Dorian Thompson-Robinson, the Eagles can’t feel inspired about their QB situation behind McKee.
While McCord could stick around due to his draft pedigree and cost-controlled contract, Philadelphia could pivot elsewhere if McKee is forced to miss a few games. Players like Anthony Richardson, Kenny Pickett, Taylor Heinicke and Tommy DeVito would all be worth keeping an eye on in that scenario.
Out: Dorian Thompson-Robinson
RB (3): Saquon Barkley, Will Shipley, A.J. Dillon
While Montrell Johnson Jr. showed flashes during the final two weeks of the preseason, it’s hard to justify keeping a fourth RB. If Johnson clears waivers, he would certainly make sense as a potential practice squad candidate.
Both Keilan Robinson and ShunDerrick Powell made a few promising plays during the preseason as well. Yet it likely just wasn’t enough to survive final cuts in the City of Brotherly Love.
Out: Keilan Robinson, Montrell Johnson Jr., ShunDerrick Powell
FB (1): Ben VanSumeren
Ben VanSumeren fully embraced the move to FB this offseason, as he switched from #57 to #43. While his role in Philadelphia’s offense will likely be limited and vary from game-to-game, he still provides a ton of value on special teams. “BVS” offers upside and versatility that is certainly worth keeping around for the Eagles.
WR (5): A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, Jahan Dotson, Darius Cooper, John Metchie III
Following Johnny Wilson’s injury and the addition of John Metchie III, the picture at WR seems a bit clearer for the Eagles. The only question remaining is has Ainias Smith done enough to earn one of Philadelphia’s final roster spots?
I’d lean towards no given that Smith hasn’t shown enough consistency either at WR or as a returner on special teams. It seems like the Eagles could rely on other players as returners (Will Shipley, Jahan Dotson, etc.) that also provide more value at their actual positions.
Out: Ainias Smith, Terrace Marshall, Avery Williams, Elijah Cooks, Taylor Morin, Ife Adeyi
TE (3): Dallas Goedert, Grant Calcaterra, Kylen Granson
Dallas Goedert and Grant Calcaterra have cemented themselves as the top TE duo in Philadelphia. After trading away Harrison Bryant to the Houston Texans, Roseman seemed to hint towards Kylen Granson winning the job at TE3.
Granson offers an intriguing skillset due to his versatility, blocking and ability after the catch. While he might not offer the prototypical size at TE that Goedert does, Granson provides value as both a backup TE and special teams contributor.
Out: E.J. Jenkins, Cameron Latu, Nick Muse
OL (10): Jordan Mailata, Landon Dickerson, Cam Jurgens, Tyler Steen, Lane Johnson, Matt Pryor, Darian Kinnard, Drew Kendall, Myles Hinton, Cameron Williams
It’s going to be really interesting to see how the Eagles handle their OL situation. While the starters are solidified as likely the best unit in the NFL, there are so many questions regarding the OL depth in Philadelphia.
Matt Pryor, Kendall Lamm and Brett Toth were supposed to be reliable veterans, yet they have been inconsistent throughout training camp and the preseason. My guess is that Roseman will get creative and sign Lamm and Toth to the practice squad after releasing them.
Given their status as vested veterans, Roseman doesn’t have to expose them to waivers like he would have to with Philadelphia’s younger players. It also feels like the OL is an area to watch for potential additions via trade or waiver claims from other teams following final cuts.
Out: Kendall Lamm, Trevor Keegan, Kenyon Green, Brett Toth, Laekin Vakalahi, Hollin Pierce
Defense
IDL (6): Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis, Moro Ojomo, Ty Robinson, Gabe Hall, Byron Young
The IDL might be the deepest position group on Philadelphia’s roster. Even after trading away Thomas Booker IV, the Eagles will still have several tough decisions to make along the defensive line.
Both Gabe Hall and Byron Young have played their way onto Philadelphia’s final roster, in my opinion. While Jacob Sykes, Joe Evans and Justin Rogers have shown flashes, they simply won’t make the cut due to the numbers game.
Out: Jacob Sykes, Joe Evans, Justin Rogers
EDGE (5): Nolan Smith, Jalyx Hunt, Azeez Ojulari, Joshua Uche, Antwaun Powell-Ryland
Following a quiet training camp and first two preseason games, Antwaun Powell-Ryland exploded onto the scene against the Jets. While he hasn’t technically outplayed Patrick Johnson, “APR” could make the final roster to avoid waivers.
After losing Johnson on waivers last season, the Eagles wouldn’t have to risk exposing him to waivers this time around, now that he qualifies as a vested veteran. Philadelphia could simply release Johnson and then bring him back on the practice squad.
Out: Patrick Johnson, Ogbo Okoronkwo, Ochaun Mathis, Jereme Robinson
LB (4): Zack Baun, Jeremiah Trotter Jr., Jihaad Campbell, Smael Mondon Jr.
Zack Baun and Jihaad Campbell appear ready to go as Philadelphia’s starting LB duo for Week 1. Jeremiah Trotter Jr. showed plenty of flashes throughout training camp and preseason action.
Smael Mondon Jr. improved with each preseason game and will likely contribute on special teams as a rookie. Nakobe Dean should remain on the PUP list to start the regular season and could be eligible to return as early as Week 5.
Out: Nakobe Dean (PUP), Dallas Gant, Lance Dixon, Chance Campbell
CB (6): Quinyon Mitchell, Cooper DeJean, Adoree’ Jackson, Kelee Ringo, Jakorian Bennett, Mac McWilliams
Adoree’ Jackson didn’t suit up for Philadelphia’s preseason finale, which likely means that he has secured the starting job opposite of Quinyon Mitchell. It’ll be interesting to see if Kelee Ringo is possibly traded following his mysterious quad injury that held him out of the final training camp practice and Friday’s game against the Jets.
If Ringo isn’t traded, he’ll round out Philadelphia’s CB room alongside Jakorian Bennett and Mac McWilliams. While some Eagles fans might be sad to see Eli Ricks waived, he just hasn’t shown enough to stick around in 2025.
Out: Eli Ricks, Parry Nickerson, A.J. Woods, Tariq Castro-Fields, Brandon Johnson
S (4): Reed Blankenship, Sydney Brown, Drew Mukuba, Tristin McCollum
It would not be surprising to see the Eagles go a bit heavier at safety given that Drew Mukuba has already dealt with multiple injuries. Yet as the team attempts to keep their entire draft class through initial roster cuts, I’ll lean towards them keeping four safeties.
Tristin McCollum and Andre’ Sam both showed flashes throughout preseason. Given McCollum’s experience and that he is actually younger than Sam, I’ll give him the edge for the final roster spot in Philadelphia’s safety room.
Out: Andre’ Sam, Lewis Cine, Maxen Hook
Special Teams
K (1): Jake Elliott
P (1): Braden Mann
LS (1): Charley Hughlett
No surprises here. Philadelphia’s special teams operation looked smooth throughout preseason. Jake Elliott has seemed to bounce back from his long range woes from last season, as he nailed two field goals over 50+ yards in the preseason finale.
Practice Squad
Rookies/Second-Year Players (10): Montrell Johnson Jr., Taylor Morin, Trevor Keegan, Hollin Pierce, Jacob Sykes, Jereme Robinson, Dallas Gant, Brandon Johnson, Andre’ Sam, Maxen Hook
Veterans (6): Zach Pascal, E.J. Jenkins, Kendall Lamm, Brett Toth, Patrick Johnson, Chance Campbell
International Pathway Program (1): Laekin Vakalahi
It’s nearly impossible to predict who will land on Philadelphia’s practice squad. Yet I believe Roseman will use several spots to keep familiar veterans around. One intriguing name to watch for is former Eagles WR Zach Pascal, who could make sense as an option to fill the “dirty work” role previously occupied by Wilson.