Final Eagles 53-Man Roster Projection
The Philadelphia Eagles wrapped up their preseason slate with a deflating, 30-13 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. Eagles general manager Howie Roseman will now have to trim Philadelphia’s roster down from 91 players to 53 players by 6:00 P.M. ET on Sunday. Therefore, I fully expect Roseman to make a trade (or two) ahead of the NFL’s roster deadline. Here is my final Eagles 53-man roster projection.
Quarterback
In (3): Jalen Hurts, Andy Dalton, Cole Payton
Traded (1): Tanner McKee
It almost feels like we have more questions than answers about Philadelphia’s quarterback room after the preseason. The Eagles tried to give Tanner McKee every chance to win the QB2 job and he was unable to do so. Meanwhile, Andy Dalton has stuck around and saved his best showing for the preseason finale. My guess is that McKee will be traded to the Miami Dolphins for a 2027 sixth-round pick to reunite with former Eagles offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo. I also wouldn’t rule out the Eagles trading for a quarterback either.
Running Back
In (4): Saquon Barkley, Tank Bigsby, Will Shipley, Carson Steele
Out (2): Dameon Pierce, Jordan Mims
The top three players in Philadelphia’s running back room have remained unchanged all along. Yet in the last two preseason games, Carson Steele has really shown some juice as a versatile weapon in the backfield. While I could ultimately be reading way too far into the last two preseason games, I have Steele sticking around. Eagles first-year offensive coordinator Sean Mannion didn’t totally dismiss the ideal of using a fullback and Steele would be an option there too.
Wide Receiver
In (5): DeVonta Smith, Makai Lemon, Dontayvion Wicks, Darius Cooper, Hollywood Brown
Out (8): Elijah Moore, Britain Covey, Samori Toure, Danny Gray, Quez Watkins, Erik Ezukanma, Brandon Hayes, Tahj Washington
The top five wide receivers in Philadelphia have been locked up for a while. While rookie wide receiver Makai Lemon struggled in his preseason debut, it’s not something to truly be concerned about. The one wide receiver that could’ve made a push for the team’s final 53-man roster was Elijah Moore, who has shown flashes throughout training camp. Yet he had a quiet preseason and as a vested veteran, my guess is that Moore will be signed to the practice squad.
Tight End
In (4): Dallas Goedert, Johnny Mundt, Ja’Tavion Sanders, Cameron Latu
Reserve/Injured and Designated for Return (1):Eli Stowers
Out (3): Grant Calcaterra, Stone Smartt, E.J. Jenkins
Dallas Goedert and Johnny Mundt are clearly the top two tight ends in Philadelphia after sitting out the preseason. Meanwhile, Eli Stowers is dealing with a hamstring injury and it feels best to place him on injured reserve and let him continue to find his footing. The rest of Philadelphia’s tight end options have underwhelmed, although Cameron Latu still has the versatility and special teams value that is worth keeping. My surprise here is the Eagles trading inside linebacker Smael Mondon Jr. and a 2027 fifth-round pick to the Carolina Panthers for third-year tight end Ja’Tavion Sanders and a 2027 sixth-round pick.
Offensive Tackle
In (4): Jordan Mailata, Lane Johnson, Fred Johnson, Markel Bell
Out (3): Cameron Williams, Myles Hinton, John Ojukwu
The Eagles will once again have one of the NFL’s best offensive tackle groups in 2026. If healthy, Lane Johnson and Jordan Mailata are still two of the top offensive tackles in the NFL. Rookie Markel Bell has also already shown flashes of dominance. The biggest question could be what to do with veteran swing tackle Fred Johnson? He hasn’t always looked comfortable in the new offensive scheme and could be a trade candidate. Yet given Bell’s recent injuries, I have Philadelphia keeping Johnson around.
Interior Offensive Line
In (6): Landon Dickerson, Cam Jurgens, Tyler Steen, Drew Kendall, Willie Lampkin, Micah Morris
Out (3): Michael Jordan, Jake Majors, Zeke Correll
Prior to the start of training camp, I was legitimately worried about Philadelphia’s interior offensive line. The injury history of both Landon Dickerson and Cam Jurgens was concerning and Tyler Steen is heading into a contract year. Yet the young backup group of Drew Kendall, Willie Lampkin and Micah Morris did more than enough to inspire confidence in the group. Both Kendall and Lampkin have done so well that they were able to sit out the team’s preseason finale.
Interior Defensive Line
In (6): Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis, Moro Ojomo, Byron Young, Ty Robinson, Uar Bernard
Out (3): Gabe Hall, Zion Wilson, David Blay
The Eagles have arguably the best interior defensive line trio in the NFL. Yet there was understandably concern about the depth behind them heading into training camp. Byron Young showed flashes and seems to be a favorite for Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio. Ty Robinson started training camp slow but had a breakout performance in the team’s first two preseason game. Seventh-round pick Uar Bernard still isn’t close to playing but I think that he’ll stick around as a long-term investment.
Edge Rusher
In (5): Jalyx Hunt, Nolan Smith Jr., Arnold Ebiketie, A.J. Epenesa, Joshua Weru
Reserve/PUP (1): Jonathan Greenard
Out (3): Jose Ramirez, Keyshawn James-Newby, Tarron Jackson
When the Eagles traded for former Pro Bowl edge rusher, he was supposed to be the clear top player in Philadelphia’s edge rusher room. Yet Jalyx Hunt has emerged as a dominant force in 2026 and the rest of the position group has shown a lot of promise as well, including undrafted free agent Joshua Weru. While some believe that Weru could go unclaimed on waivers, I don’t see the Eagles taking that chance. Meanwhile, I have Greenard on the Reserve/PUP list and missing the first four games of the regular season as he recovers from a pectoral injury.
Linebacker
In (4): Zack Baun, Jihaad Campbell, Jeremiah Trotter Jr., Chance Campbell
Traded (1): Smael Mondon Jr.
Out (2): Deontae Lawson, Brandon George
Fangio believes that Philadelphia’s inside linebacker room could be the deepest group on the Eagles. Therefore, Roseman is going to have some difficult decisions to make ahead of the roster deadline. In this scenario, I have the Eagles trading Smael Mondon Jr. and a 2027 fifth-round pick to the Carolina Panthers for third-year tight end Ja’Tavion Sanders and a 2027 sixth-round pick. Then I have Roseman making Fangio happy by letting him keep Chance Campbell around in Philadelphia.
Cornerback
In (6): Quinyon Mitchell, Cooper DeJean, Riq Woolen, Jonathan Jones, Mac McWilliams, Kelee Ringo
Out (5): Jakorian Bennett, Ambry Thomas, Tariq Castro-Fields, Shaun Wade, Isaiah Bolden
Similar to the interior defensive line room, the Eagles have one of the best cornerback trios in the NFL. Yet unlike the interior defensive line group, Philadelphia’s backup cornerbacks didn’t perform well during the preseason. I could certainly see Roseman working the phones to add more help at backup cornerback. Yet for now, I have the Eagles keeping veteran Jonathan Jones as the top backup option with Mac McWilliams and Kelee Ringo behind him.
Safety
In (3): Andrew Mukuba, Marcus Epps, Michael Carter II
Reserve/Injured and Designated for Return (1): Cole Wisniewski
Out (4): Andre’ Sam, Kapena Gushiken, Maximus Pulley, Jaylen Mahoney
Despite Fangio pretending that there is still a safety competition in Philadelphia, it’s pretty clear that Andrew Mukuba and Marcus Epps will be the team’s safety duo in nickel and dime packages. Meanwhile, Michael Carter II continues to learn and grow at the position. I really contemplated keeping both Kapena Gushiken and Maximus Pulley, given their flashes during training camp and the preseason. I also have the Eagles placing rookie safety Cole Wisniewski, who has constantly been hurt, on injured reserve.
Special Teams
In (3): Jake Elliott, Braden Mann, Rocco Underwood
Out (0): N/A
We finally saw Eagles veteran kicker Jake Elliott attempt a few legitimate field goals during the preseason finale. Elliott made a 56-yard field goal and a 45-yard field goal to gain some much-needed confidence ahead of the regular season. While the trendy pick has been to waive rookie long snapper Rocco Underwood and sign him on the practice squad, I don’t think that the Eagles want to play that game after dealing with two different long snappers last season.
Practice Squad
RB (1): Dameon Pierce*
WR (2): Elijah Moore*, Britain Covey*
TE (1): Stone Smartt*
OL (4): John Ojukwu*, Myles Hinton, Jake Majors, Zeke Correll
IDL (2): Gabe Hall, Zion Wilson
EDGE (1): Keyshawn James-Newby
LB (2): Brandon George, Deontae Lawson
CB (1): Shaun Wade*
S (2): Kapena Gushiken, Maximus Pulley
* = One of six veterans allowed on the practice squad