There’s no Philadelphia Eagles training camp practice today; players have off for just the second time since the summer sessions began on July 29.
Now that we have a break in the action after watching eight practices, it feels like a good time to take stock of the team in the form of an updated 53-man roster prediction.
We’ll continue to issue updated projections as we learn more from practices (including two upcoming joint days with A.J. Brown’s New England Patriots) and three preseason games.
(To
see how things have changed, take a look at my last 53-man roster projection from 11 days ago.)
OFFENSE
QUARTERBACK: Jalen Hurts, Andy Dalton, Cole Payton (3) [3]
Hurts has had an encouraging camp; he really seems to be embracing the new offensive direction under Sean Mannion. The QB2 battle is very much ongoing based on how the Eagles are rotating Dalton and Tanner McKee with the second-team offense. Dalton has been the better player since camp began but McKee previously outshined him in spring practices … so, it’s a close call. We could see some more separation in the preseason games. For now, I’ll say the Eagles trade McKee to a team that’s desperate for quarterback help, whether that’s needing a backup or otherwise. Dalton’s lacking arm strength is concerning but he does look comfortable in the offense. Payton has thrown a lot of interceptions in training camp but he’s shown enough promise to deter the Eagles from exposing him to waivers.
RUNNING BACK (3): Saquon Barkley, Tank Bigsby, Will Shipley (3) [6]
Barkley looks as good as ever. Bigsby’s had an awesome offseason; the Eagles absolutely must find a way to get him more involved than he was last year. Shipley should be in danger based on merit but I tend to think the coaching staff will value him more than fans do. Dameon Pierce has flashed as both a runner, pass-catcher, and kick returner. He might be able to push for the RB3 role, assuming the injury he suffered on Saturday isn’t serious. Pierce has shown enough to at least make the practice squad. Elijah Mitchell and Carson Steele haven’t looked bad but they’re both fighting an uphill battle. Then again, the Eagles did keep four running backs for a good portion of last year (Barkley, Bigsby, Shipley, and AJ Dillon).
WIDE RECEIVER: DeVonta Smith, Dontayvion Wicks, Darius Cooper, Makai Lemon, Hollywood Brown, Johnny Wilson (6) [12]
Smitty has missed most of training camp with a hamstring injury but he looked good as ever prior to getting hurt. Zero concerns with him. Smith’s absence has opened up more opportunities for Wicks, who has fully taken advantage of them by making a lot of catches. It’s clear that Hurts trusts Wicks, which is huge. Cooper makes plays every day. He’s already done enough to make the roster. The question is: will he actually get playing time? He deserves it. Lemon’s had a disappointing offseason; the 2026 first-round pick missed at least four of the Eagles’ eight spring practices and he’s missed five of their eight training camp practices so far. Even prior to getting hurt, Lemon wasn’t doing much to impress. It’s just hard to know what to expect from him at the moment. Brown has been outshined by others … but the Eagles gave him $5 million guaranteed, which impacted their compensatory pick formula. So, it’s not ea sy to see them cutting him. Maybe they can move off Hollywood in a trade? Wilson has had a good camp as a pass-catcher and he obviously brings value to the table as a big blocking receiver. Elijah Moore was a really tough cut here; he deserves to make the team and he’s been getting first-team reps. But he also doesn’t have special teams experience (19 career snaps there) and he’s not subject to waivers. Maybe the Eagles can get him to agree to be on the practice squad early in the season before eventually adding him to the roster once a spot frees up. Britain Covey saw a lot of targets early in camp but he’s been dealing with a hamstring injury and the team can probably keep him on the practice squad if they want him to be in the punt returner mix. Quez Watkins is also in practice squad contention.
TIGHT END: Dallas Goedert, Johnny Mundt, Cam Latu, Eli Stowers (4) [16]
Goedert’s had a solid-to-good camp. Mundt is clearly TE2; he’s the second tight end in the Eagles’ 12 personnel sets. Latu is a stud special teams player and he can block. Stowers had his best two days recently … but it was a very low bar to clear since he’s had a quiet offseason. I tend to think the rookie tight end is in jeopardy of being a healthy scratch, at least early in the year. E.J. Jenkins is on the bubble here, probably a good bet to make the practice squad. Still think Dae’Quan Wright might come alive in the preseason games.
OFFENSIVE LINE: Jordan Mailata, Landon Dickerson, Cam Jurgens, Tyler Steen, Lane Johnson, Markel Bell, Drew Kendall, Willie Lampkin, Myles Hinton, Cameron Williams, Micah Morris (11) [27]
The starters are in place. The Eagles have been load managing Dickerson and Jurgens left practice early the past two days, so, that’s something to monitor. Johnson returned to the team after some time away and announced he’s probably going to retire after the 2026 season. The backup situation here feels fluid. Bell is taking the bulk of first-team right tackle reps when Johnson isn’t in there. It seems like he could beat out Fred Johnson, who I left off this list. Big Fred obviously brings a lot of experience to the table … but he hasn’t had a good summer. Maybe the Eagles can trade him for a small return. Kendall is contending to be the Eagles’ top interior backup offensive lineman. Lampkin is small but mighty; he’s making his case to be on the roster to give the Eagles even more interior depth. Hinton, Williams, and Morris are hardly locks to stick around but the Eagles could look to retain their young developmental options with Lane heading out the door and Dickerson’s long-term outlook up in the air. John Ojukwu is a sleeper option to make the team. Jake Majors gets a lot of reps but he hasn’t looked good.
DEFENSE
EDGE DEFENDER: Jonathan Greenard, Jalyx Hunt, Nolan Smith, Arnold Ebiketie, A.J. Epenesa (5) [32]
Greenard is expected to be activated from the active/PUP list in time to play in Week 1. Not ideal that he’s missing a big portion of camp but he could still have a good season, assuming his pectoral strain is not a lingering injury. Hunt’s had a very strong camp; he looks poised to make another big developmental leap in Year 3. Vic Fangio noted that Smith entered the Eagles’ offseason program heavier than they wanted him to be but he’s back down to his proper weight now. Smith hasn’t had a bad camp but he’s not had the same kind of summer than Hunt has had. Ebiketie and Epenesa have both flashed enough to lead one to believe they’ll be quality rotational edge rushers. Doesn’t seem like bringing Brandon Graham back is in the cards. Keyshawn James-Newby has missed time due to injury. Joshua Weru has shown some intriguing movement skills but the undrafted rookie who’s never played in a football game before clearly isn’t ready to play in 2026.
DEFENSIVE TACKLE: Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis, Moro Ojomo, Byron Young, Ty Robinson (5) [37]
Carter looks poised for a monster year; he’s been dominant in camp after getting paid. Davis also looks like he’s ready to be really productive in 2026. Ojomo is on the Milton Williams trajectory in terms of balling out this season before getting a big contract from another team in free agency (March 2027). Fangio likes Young and he’s been the best defensive tackle outside of the top three. I like Gabe Hall more than Robinson but I’m not sure that Howie Roseman is ready to cut bait with his 2025 fourth-round pick, who has had a very disappointing offseason on the whole. Could see the Eagles making a trade to add more depth at this position. Fangio basically told reporters to stop asking him about Uar Bernard (and Weru) because they are “light-years away.” Maybe the Eagles keep Bernard on the roster to prevent him from getting poached … but is another team really going to claim him and roster a player who might need multiple years before he’s ready to play a snap?
OFF-BALL LINEBACKER: Zack Baun, Jihaad Campbell, Jeremiah Trotter Jr., Chance Campbell, Smael Mondon Jr. (5) [42]
Baun continues to look like a stud. Jihaad is having some good moments in practice. Trot Jr. looks more than capable of starting; it’s just that he’s buried behind two superior talents on this roster. Great depth option to have. Fangio told reporters not to sleep on Chance when it came to us making our 53-man roster predictions, so, I won’t! Chance looks like a solid backup who can also play on special teams. Mondon Jr. provides even more depth. Deontae Lawson could be a practice squad contender.
CORNERBACK: Quinyon Mitchell, Cooper DeJean, Riq Woolen, Jonathan Jones, Kelee Ringo (5) [47]
The Eagles could have the best starting cornerback trio in the NFL. That much I feel good about. I’m not as certain what their depth is going to look like. Jones has inside/out experience and he’s been reunited with his former position coach in Philly, so, he could be a good veteran backup. But he’s also not subject to waivers so maybe the Eagles can just put him on the practice squad. Ringo can’t be trusted on defense but he can help out on special teams. Mac McWilliams hasn’t looked good enough to lock up a roster spot but maybe the Eagles want to keep him because he’s young and cheap. I can’t see Jakorian Bennett making the team.
SAFETY: Andrew Mukuba, Marcus Epps, Michael Carter II, Maximus Pulley (4) [51]
Mukuba’s had a good camp. Ditto for Epps and MC2. All the concern about the Eagles’ safety position is overblown, based on what I’ve seen thus far. MC2 also provides depth at cornerback, especially in the slot. There’s no slam dunk favorite for the fourth safety role right now. Andre’ Sam gets a lot of reps but he seems more like the NFL equivalent of quad-A player in the MLB. Cole Wisniewski has missed a lot time in both the spring and the summer due to injury. Pulley has made some plays and the Eagles could look to keep at least one of their undrafted rookie free agents, so, we’ll throw him on here.
SPECIAL TEAMS
KICKER: Jake Elliott (1) [52]
Elliott is 19/20 on kicks this summer. It’s hard to believe his struggles are truly behind him until he proves it in the regular season.
PUNTER: Braden Mann (1) [53]
He’s solid.
LONG SNAPPER: None
Note that I am predicting the INITIAL 53-man roster here. The Eagles obviously need a long snapper when the games start. But they don’t need to carry one on the initial 53. Rocco Underwood has had some struggles in camp, so, I’m thinking the Eagles might look for another long snapper who shakes free after roster cuts. And even if they do want to ride with Underwood, they can keep him on the practice squad for the first few weeks in order to maintain some additional roster flexibility.
INJURY DESIGNATIONS
INJURED RESERVE (ELIGIBLE TO RETURN): Cole Wisniewski, Keyshawn James-Newby
The Eagles can use up to two IR stash designations that prevent players from being exposed to waivers while still allowing them to be eligible to play in 2026. They used two in 2024 but only one last year. Maybe they look to stash Bernard with one of these this season? With Wisniewski and James-Newby currently banged up, I’ll say they’re contenders for these spots for now.
PRACTICE SQUAD
RB Dameon Pierce, WR Elijah Moore, WR Britain Covey, TE E.J. Jenkins, TE Dae’Quan Wright, OT John Ojukwu, OG Jaedan Roberts, C/G Jake Majors, EDGE Jose Ramirez, EDGE Joshua Weru, DT Gabe Hall, LB Deontae Lawson, CB Mac McWilliams, S J.T. Gray, S Kapena Gushiken, LS Rocco Underwood
International exemption: DT Uar Bernard
If the Eagles keep Bernard on the practice squad, his international exemption means he won’t count towards the 16-player limit.
