We previously published a Philadelphia Eagles 53-man roster prediction prior to their spring practices. Since then, we’ve learned more about the team through watching their OTA and minicamp sessions. Now it’s time for an updated projection that accounts for the at the winners, losers, and I don’t knows of the Eagles’ offseason workout program. We’ll learn even more about the team through training camp practices (the first one is exactly one month away!) and preseason games but, for now, here’s a look
at how the roster is shaping up.
(For fun, take a look at my 53-man roster projection from this time last year.)
OFFENSE
QUARTERBACK: Jalen Hurts, Tanner McKee, Cole Payton (3) [3]
Hurts and the offense as a whole look like they’re a work in progress as Sean Mannion attempts to enact his vision for them. From a roster mechanics perspective, the intrigue is what happens behind QB1. The Eagles liked Andy Dalton enough to go out of their way to trade for him … and then have him take the bulk of QB2 reps in media-attended spring practices. If this is a competition truly based on merit, McKee is a good bet to win out since he’s the better player. It’s always possible the Eagles trade McKee before he plays out the final year of his rookie contract but it doesn’t seem like there’s much of an enticing market for him? That could change. For now, we’ll see McKee beats Dalton out. Payton showed enough promise in the spring to justify his roster spot as a developmental quarterback. No way they keep four here … right?
RUNNING BACK: Saquon Barkley, Tank Bigsby, Will Shipley (3) [6]
Barkley will put up better numbers than he did in 2025 but not quite as good as 2024 (extremely high bar). Taking playing time away from Barkley isn’t easy but the Eagles must figure out how to get Bigsby more involved because he can make some very nice contributions to this offense. There are those who probably wish Shipley wasn’t a lock but he is since the coaching staff trusts him to be a dirty work guy and third down/two-minute drill back. I mean, who else is going to take the ball for those coward’s draws and third-and-long? Can’t see the Eagles going with a fourth true running back; the guys in contention for that role (Dameon Pierce, Elijah Mitchell) could be kept around on the practice squad.
WIDE RECEIVER: DeVonta Smith, Makai Lemon, Dontayvion Wicks, Hollywood Brown, Johnny Wilson (5) [11]
If you’re not confident that Smith is ready to be WR1, you simply haven’t been paying attention. He’s already proved more than capable. Lemon was repping with the first-team offense prior to missing the rest of spring practices due to a hamstring injury. Assuming he can stay healthy, he figures to have a big volume role as a rookie. To be determined what his efficiency will look like. Wicks is clearly viewed as a starting receiver on this team based on his practice reps and the way that Nick Sirianni talked about him. Sirianni lumped Brown (whom he referred to as “Quise” — nickname stock boost) and Elijah Moore into a similar bucket … and ditto for the pairing of Johnny Wilson and Darius Cooper. Brown had a solid spring and the Eagles are paying more money to him than Moore, who has no real special teams experience to speak of. Wilson’s size can be valuable and he’s shown some promise as a receiver. I have a real tough time cutting Darius Cooper, who is my guy, but he had a very quiet spring and didn’t seem to get much, if any, first-team reps despite the Eagles missing starting receivers in every practice. Cooper could very well come alive during the summer, just like he did last year, to force them to keep him around again. Britain Covey is probably the team’s best punt returner option but the Eagles should be able to keep him on the practice squad to start the season. I do think the Eagles could keep six at this position but we’ll say five for now.
TIGHT END: Dallas Goedert, Johnny Mundt, Eli Stowers, Cameron Latu (4) [15]
Goedert’s blocking wasn’t good in 2025. I wonder what it’s going to look like now that he’s another year older and making even less money than he did last year. But he should still be a quality pass-catcher, at the very least. Mundt was often the second tight end in 12 personnel looks during spring practices and he even saw some targets. I think he’s TE2. Stowers had a quiet spring in a setting where one would’ve expected him to look his best. There’s no need to make any definitive statements on his long-term outlook but I’m not liking his short-term outlook in terms of majorly contributing this season. Latu is a special teams stud and he can contribute in a fullback role, if the Eagles are still interested in that. E.J. Jenkins is also pushing for a roster spot.
OFFENSIVE LINE: Jordan Mailata, Landon Dickerson, Cam Jurgens, Tyler Steen, Lane Johnson, Fred Johnson, Markel Bell, Drew Kendall, Michael Jordan, Myles Hinton (10) [25]
The starting offensive line is in place. It was encouraging to see that neither Dickerson nor Jurgens were limited by injury this spring. It seems like Big Fred might be the top backup at left tackle while Bell is the top backup at right but I wonder if it’s just the one guy at both spots instead. Kendall is on track to be the top interior option, just like Brett Toth was last year. Jordan, who is better than LeBron, brings experience to the table, which is something that Kendall lacks. Hinton is training at guard after entering the NFL as a tackle last year. Micah Morris, Cameron Williams, and Willie Lampkin were tough cuts here. It’s always possible the Eagles go heavier at offensive line than I have them going here. Then again, Jeff Stoutland probably had more power in advocating for his players to stick around than Chris Kuper currently has. The Eagles could some roster chicanery to prevent some of their offensive line prospects from getting poached. More on that towards the bottom of this article.
DEFENSE
EDGE DEFENDER: Jonathan Greenard, Jalyx Hunt, Nolan Smith, Arnold Ebiketie, A.J. Epenesa (5) [30]
Greenard is being slept on; I’d wager he’s going to have a bigger season than many are expecting. He’s a really good player. Hunt make a really big leap from Year 1 to Year 2 and he’s only going to get better in Year 3. Smith added some weight this offseason. We’ll see if he can stay healthy but I think some don’t properly weight just how good he was for a good stretch of the 2024 season. Ebiketie screams solid rotational role player, not much more. Epenesa, if healthy, could also be in line for a rotational role. Brandon Graham can still play and he wants to suit up for the Eagles this season … but there’s currently no indication that he’s in the plans. We’ll see if that changes. Keyshawn James-Newby was a very late pick in a weak draft but maybe he can make a case to stick around by standing out on special teams.
DEFENSIVE TACKLE: Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis, Moro Ojomo, Byron Young, Gabe Hall, Uar Bernard (6) [36]
Will be interested to see if there’s a Carter “hold in” during training camp or if he’s locked in ahead of a very big season for him. If he stay healthy, he could be awesome. Davis will be looking to build on last year’s breakout year in addition to evolving as a leader on the team. Ojomo is in a similar boat to 2024 Milton Williams; could be a good chance for him to cash in on a big contract in free agency after a strong 2026. Young was clearly the Eagles’ DT4 in spring practices; he saw first-team action with Carter not taking part in team drills. Vic Fangio seems to like “BY.” Like Young, Hall repped ahead of Ty Robinson in spring practices. The Eagles designated Bernard as their international player exemption but they can’t put him on the practice squad without exposing him to waivers and I don’t think they’ll want to do that. Maybe they don’t need to worry about another team putting him on their 53 but, again, I don’t think they want to take any chances after making the effort to get him. And the problem with stashing Bernard on injured reserve is that he wouldn’t be able to take much-needed practice reps.
LINEBACKER: Zack Baun, Jihaad Campbell, Jeremiah Trotter Jr., Smael Mondon Jr. (4) [40]
Baun believes the Eagles’ defense can reach new heights in the third season under Fangio. His increased comfort level in this defense could lead to another very strong year. Campbell was uneven as a rookie but he showed serious potential. He missed all of spring practices but is supposed to be healthy for training camp. Trot Jr. looks more than ready to start if the situation arises. For now, he’s a great backup to have around. Mondon Jr. also looks solid for backup standards. Chance Campbell is going to push for a roster spot but the Eagles might be able to keep him on the practice squad, just like they did last year.
CORNERBACK: Quinyon Mitchell, Cooper DeJean, Riq Woolen, Jonathan Jones, Kelee Ringo (5) [45]
The Eagles should have the NFL’s best cornerback trio. Q and Cooper are coming off All-Pro sophomore seasons and Woolen had an excellent spring. Jones also looked good as a veteran depth player who brings inside-out versatility and lots of experience to the table. The Eagles don’t want to see Ringo playing defense but he can at least help out on special teams.
SAFETY: Andrew Mukuba, Marcus Epps, Michael Carter II, Cole Wisniewski, J.T. Gray (5) [50]
Just how good can Mukuba be? The Eagles should be OK at safety if he’s not a disaster because I think Epps will at least be cromulent. And Epps won’t even be taking 100% of the defensive snaps since DeJean will play safety in base defense packages. MC2 saw a little first-team action in place of Epps and he also was the extra defensive back in dime looks, so, I like his chances to make the team. Wisniewski did not take part in team drills in spring practice due to injury. The rookie defender should make the roster but he’s behind the eight ball for now. Gray is a special teams standout. Kapena Gushiken (AKA “The Gush”) is a name to watch here since he was mentioned by Fangio and he has some safety/nickel versatility.
SPECIAL TEAMS
KICKER: Jake Elliott (1) [51]
We didn’t see Elliott attempt any game-simulated kicks (full FG protection and FG block units on the field) during spring practices. Will be interesting to monitor him in training camp.
PUNTER: Braden Mann (1) [52]
Mann is a solid-to-good punter.
LONG SNAPPER: Rocco Underwood (1) [53]
The undrafted rookie is currently the only long snapper on the roster. Doesn’t mean he’s a lock for the job.
INJURY DESIGNATIONS
INJURED RESERVE (ELIGIBLE TO RETURN): Willie Lampkin, Micah Morris
The Eagles probably only want to burn one of their limited designated to return spots on a developmental player (just like they did with Myles Hinton last year) but maybe they’ll be willing to use both to protect some of their younger offensive linemen who aren’t in position to play this season. All about stashing them for the future.
PRACTICE SQUAD
RB Dameon Pierce, WR Elijah Moore, WR Britain Covey, WR Darius Cooper, TE Dae’Quan Wright, OT Cameron Williams, OG Jaedan Roberts, C Jake Majors, EDGE Keyshawn James-Newby, EDGE Joshua Weru, DT Ty Robinson, DT Ta’Quon Graham, LB Deontae Lawson, LB Chance Campbell, CB Ambry Thomas, S Kapena Gushiken
