An Early 53-Man Roster Projection

 

 

 

 

 

Quarterbacks (3): Sam Bradford, Mark Sanchez, Tim Tebow

There you have it folks, three misfit former first-round busts who will all likely see the field at some point during the year.

I have Tebow making it over Matt Barkley. I think it’s pretty clear that Chip Kelly and the Eagles don’t think very much of Barkley (Howie Roseman pick?) considering that they tried hard to trade him over the off-season and weren’t interested in giving him a look in the meaningless Week 17 game against the Giants last year.

The third quarterback job is Tebow’s to lose, and I think they’ll keep him over Barkley just to add another gimmicky wrinkle to the offense.

Running Backs (4): DeMarco Murray, Ryan Mathews, Darren Sproles, Matthew Tucker

The only surprise I have hear is that Matthew Tucker makes it.

Tucker is a guy that looked very good in each of the last two preseasons, and I think he played well enough that he could have made the team if not for getting caught up in a numbers situation. I think the Birds will give him a long look this August.

Last year, the Eagles unconventionally carried four tight ends, and with James Casey no longer on the roster (and thereby eliminating any chance of the Birds holding more than three) I think that extra roster spot could go to Tucker.

Wide Receivers (6): Nelson Agholor, Jordan Matthews, Riley Cooper, Miles Austin, Josh Huff, Jeff Maehl

No major surprises here, unless you want to count Maehl as one.

Maehl is the textbook definition of a fringe player, but he’s got that Oregon connection which always gives a mediocre player an extra shot to make it. Last year, Maehl was clearly outplayed by Arrelious Benn and Damaris Johnson, but still survived the final cut.

I wouldn’t be surprised to see the same thing happen this year.

Tight Ends (3): Brent Celek, Zach Ertz, Trey Burton

No surprises here.

Offensive Line (9): Jason Peters, Evan Mathis, Jason Kelce, Allen Barbre, Lane Johnson, Matt Tobin, Andrew Gardner, David Molk, Dennis Kelly

Again, there shouldn’t be surprises here.

The Eagles decided to ignore the line for the second straight year, and the reserves who were already in place last year and picked up some valuable starting experience should have a significant leg up on any of the undrafted rookies that will be in camp.

Defensive Line (7): Fletcher Cox, Bennie Logan, Cedric Thornton, Vinny Curry, Brandon Bair, Beau Allen, Taylor Hart

Another group that shouldn’t go through much, if any, change.

Bair, Allen, and Hart aren’t necessarily locks to make it, but I’d be surprised if any of the newcomers beat them out. Bair is hardworking guy that also plays a nice role on special teams. Allen shouldn’t have much trouble holding off challengers for his backup job at the nose. Hart showed nothing in his rookie year, but has the Oregon connection going for him and Kelly liked him enough that he wanted to take him in the third round, so it’s hard to imagine him being let go.

Linebackers (9): Connor Barwin, Kiko Alonso, DeMeco Ryans, Mychal Kendricks, Brandon Graham, Marcus Smith, Jordan Hicks, Bryan Braman, Najee Goode

Linebacker is going to be one of the most interesting positions to watch during camp.

There’s going to be a great deal of competition for maybe one or two reserve spots.

Does Marcus Smith make it? Right now I say yes. Reports are that Smith has added some size, and it would be very surprising to see them give up on him after just one year.

Travis Long, Brad Jones, and Emmanuel Acho will all be in the mix here as well, but Jordan Hicks is a lock as third-round pick, Braman was just given an extension and plays a big role on special teams, really leaving only one reserve spot up for grabs.

Goode gets the edge because of his ability to move outside.

Cornerbacks (5): Byron Maxwell, Brandon Boykin, Eric Rowe, Nolan Carroll, JaCorey Shepperd

With Walter Thurmond apparently moving to safety, it opens up a spot for either Shepperd or Randall Evans to make the roster.

I give the edge to Shepperd, who will be groomed for a year to take over slot duties from Brandon Boykin.

Safeties (4): Malcolm Jenkins, Walter Thurmond, Jaylen Watkins, Chris Maragos

The notable cut here is Earl Wolff.

Wolff will be given a chance to compete for the job in Training Camp, but the Eagles don’t seem to have much confidence in him, given that they’ve had both Thurmond and Watkins move positions.

The writing on the wall is there for Wolff. He had two years to take the job away from Nate Allen, a guy the Eagles desperately wanted to move on from, and he couldn’t do it.

Specialists (3): Cody Parkey, Donnie Jones, Jon Dorenbos

No surprises here.