Philadelphia Eagles general manager Howie Roseman addressed several of the team’s most significant decisions after forming an initial 53-man roster and adding 15 players to the practice squad.
Here are the biggest takeaways from his meeting with reporters.
Elijah Moore earned his roster spot
Roseman praised Moore for consistently making plays throughout the offseason.
“He catches everything,” Roseman said. “All he really did was make plays.”
Moore survived a crowded competition to join DeVonta Smith, Hollywood Brown, Dontayvion Wicks, Makai Lemon and Darius Cooper at wide receiver.
Interior offensive line depth exceeded expectations
Roseman acknowledged that depth behind the Eagles’ starting interior linemen was a concern entering training camp. Drew Kendall, Willie Lampkin and rookie Micah Morris changed that outlook with their performances.
All three made the initial roster, giving Philadelphia young, versatile options behind Landon Dickerson, Cam Jurgens and Tyler Steen.
The QB2 competition remains private
The Eagles kept Jalen Hurts, Andy Dalton, Tanner McKee and Cole Payton, but Roseman declined to announce whether Dalton or McKee would enter the season as Hurts’ primary backup.
Roseman called quarterback the “most important position in sports” and said all four players possess either short- or long-term value.
Roseman explored trades
Roseman acknowledged that he tried to complete trades over the summer, though he did not identify any player or position. Nothing materialized, leaving Philadelphia with four quarterbacks and several other deep position groups.
The Eagles expect their top rookies to contribute
Roseman expressed “tremendous confidence” in Lemon and second-round tight end Eli Stowers. Both rookies made the roster despite missing valuable practice time during the summer.
Philadelphia preserved two international projects
Uar Bernard and Joshua Weru returned on the practice squad after clearing waivers. Neither had played organized football before joining the Eagles, but Roseman believes both possess the physical ability to become legitimate NFL prospects.
This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: Six takeaways from Howie Roseman’s post-53-man roster press conference
