RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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PHILADELPHIA − The Eagles have gone through three preseason games, 17 training camp practices, including two sessions with the New England Patriots, to get to this point where it's finally time to trim the roster from 90 players down to 53.
All of that must be done by 6 p.m. on Aug. 30, which is the NFL deadline. For many players, that begins a nerve-wracking several hours.
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For some, the Eagles' 30-13 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals on Aug. 28 was a last opportunity to make a case for a roster spot. Running back Carson Steele certainly tried. He had 52 yards receiving and 24 yards rushing, one week after he had 117 total yards against the Bengals.
Safety Andre Sam was on his way to winning a roster spot before injuring his leg late in the third quarter. He was carted off the field and seen afterward in a walking boot on a scooter.
So how will the Eagles' 53-man roster shake out? Here is our prediction based on watching every preseason practice and every game:
Quarterback (4)
In: Jalen Hurts, Tanner McKee, Andy Dalton, Cole Payton
Out: None
Comment: Just because the Eagles haven't traded either McKee or Dalton yet doesn't mean that they won't. Expect something to happen before the regular-season opener. As for who's going to be Hurts' backup, neither has separated himself. McKee got the start against the Bengals and did not play well. Dalton was only slightly better. The Eagles shouldn't feel great about either one should Hurts suffer an injury that will keep him out of several games. Payton stays because he probably wouldn't clear waivers.
Running back (4)
In: Saquon Barkley, Tank Bigsby, Will Shipley, Carson Steele
Out: Dameon Pierce, Jordan Mims, Ja'Quinden Jackson (IR)
Comment: Barkley and Bigsby form a solid duo as they showed in the practices with the Patriots, and Shipley has done more than enough to be RB3, and that includes his special teams value. Steele, meanwhile, shined in the last two preseason games, getting 76 total yards against the Bengals after 117 the week before. That should get him on the 53-man roster.
Tight end (4)
In: Dallas Goedert, Johnny Mundt, Cameron Latu, Eli Stowers
Out: Grant Calcaterra, E.J. Jenkins, Stone Smartt
Comment: The Eagles are keeping Stowers, their second-round pick, but it's looking more and more like a redshirt year for him. Mundt stays because he's the best blocking tight end. Smartt made a strong push to stay, but Latu gets the nod because he can serve as a fullback and he's strong on special teams.
Wide receiver (5)
In: DeVonta Smith, Dontayvion Wicks, Hollywood Brown, Makai Lemon, Darius Cooper
Out: Elijah Moore, Johnny Wilson (IR), Quez Watkins, Britain Covey, Samori Toure, Tahj Washington, Erik Ezukanma, Danny Gray
Comment: Moore is the odd man out. He had a decent camp, but he and Brown are redundant to some extent, and the Eagles should be able to get him to the practice squad, with game-day elevations as needed. Lemon made his debut against the Bengals. With 3 receptions for 3 yards, he's got a long way to go.
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Offensive line (10)
In: (starters, from left) Jordan Mailata, Landon Dickerson, Cam Jurgens, Tyler Steen, Lane Johnson. Reserves: Markel Bell, Fred Johnson, Drew Kendall, Micah Morris, Willie Lampkin
Out: Cameron Williams, Michael Jordan, John Ojukwu, Jake Majors, Myles Hinton, Zeke Correll
Comment: The first unit is among the NFL's best. The second unit, well, there's a dropoff. But Kendall and Lampkin have played particularly well this summer. Kendall is likely the first man in at both center and guard. Fred Johnson is a trusted veteran, but Bell has outplayed him. Morris, the Eagles' sixth-round pick, gets the spot over Majors because a tie goes to the draft pick. Both Williams and Hinton, sixth-round picks in 2025, have struggled.
Edge rusher (6)
In: Jonathan Greenard, Jalyx Hunt, Nolan Smith, AJ Epenesa, Arnold Ebiketie, Joshua Weru
Out: Jose Ramirez, Keyshawn James-Newby, Tarron Jackson
Comment: Greenard (pectoral strain) is still on the PUP list for now, and he likely won't be ready for Week 1. But the Eagles should take him off the list so that he doesn't have to miss at least four weeks of practices and games. That means the Eagles will rely heavily on Hunt and Smith for the first part of the season. Weru, an IPP signee, stays because he'd get claimed off waivers.
Defensive tackle (6)
In: Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis, Moro Ojomo, Byron Young, Ty Robinson, Uar Bernard
Out: Zion Wilson, Gabe Hall, David Blay
Comment: The top three in Carter, Davis and Ojomo are stars. Robinson, the fourth-round pick last season, has earned a spot after being on "life support" earlier this summer, according to DC Vic Fangio. But he's fifth in the pecking order. Like fellow IPP alum Weru, Bernard stays so that another team doesn't claim him.
Linebacker (4)
In: Zack Baun, Jihaad Campbell, Jeremiah Trotter, Smael Mondon
Out: Chance Campbell, Deontae Lawson, Brandon George
Comment: Believe it or not, Fangio called linebacker the team's deepest position. Baun is a Pro Bowl player and Jihaad Campbell is ready to fill Nakobe Dean's shoes. Trotter has proven that he can start for many teams. Mondon, the Eagles' fifth-round pick in 2025, has also played well. But it's hard to see the Eagles keeping more than four, so the Eagles have to hope that either Chance Campbell and/or Lawson get to the practice squad.
Cornerback (4)
In: Quinyon Mitchell, Riq Woolen, Cooper DeJean, Kelee Ringo
Out: Jonathan Jones, Mac McWilliams, Jakorian Bennett, Shaun Wade, Ambry Thomas, Isaiah Bolden
Comment: Mitchell, Woolen and DeJean are among the top trio of CBs in the NFL, and they have to stay healthy because it's a big dropoff to Ringo. But Ringo, whom F...
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