Eagles 53-man roster prediction as OTAs begin

We previously spent time projecting the Philadelphia Eagles’ depth chart for the 2025 NFL season. We started with the offense, moved on to the defense, and then finished up with the special teams unit. With OTAs starting up today, it’s now time for a prediction of who will actually make the final cut down to 53 players. We’ll certainly update these projections throughout the rest of the offseason to reflect meaningful developments from practices and preseason games.

OFFENSE

QUARTERBACK: Jalen Hurts, Tanner McKee, Kyle McCord (3) [3]

Hurts, the reigning Super Bowl MVP, will likely be required to pass the ball more often than he did in 2024. McKee is arguably an upgrade on Kenny Pickett as QB2, especially since he now gets to benefit from taking way more reps than he typically got in the past. McCord and Dorian Thompson-Robinson are battling it out for the emergency third quarterback role. McCord will likely win that job unless he totally bombs and DTR lights it up.

RUNNING BACK: Saquon Barkley, Will Shipley, AJ Dillon (3) [6]

How will Barkley follow up the best running back season in NFL history? History suggests he can’t be quite that awesome again but he’ll probably still be pretty good. Shipley figures to take over the Kenny Gainwell role as RB2. Dillon isn’t necessarily guaranteed to make the roster but he seems like a good depth option to have around. Shipley and Dillon could share the workload if Barkley becomes unavailable. Undrafted rookie free agent signings Montrell Johnson Jr. and ShunDerrick Powell have a chance to push for RB3 or RB4.

FULLBACK: Ben VanSumeren (1) [7]

The Eagles weren’t using a fullback so often last year that they MUST keep one on the roster. But they seem to like BVS, who provides special teams value when he’s not lead blocking.

WIDE RECEIVER: A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, Jahan Dotson, Johnny Wilson, Danny Gray (5) [12]

The Eagles are entering their fourth season of A.J. and DeVonta leading the way at WR. Prior to this era, there were many seasons when they would’ve killed to have at least one of those two. It’ll be interesting to see if Dotson can emerge as more of a factor after not doing much in 2024. One would think him and Hurts should be able to build a better chemistry this offseason. Wilson is an intriguing role player as a big blocker and red zone threat. Who is Danny Gray, you might ask? Well, the 2022 third-round pick is a burner with 4.33 speed who might be worth paying attention to. In a survey conducted by PHLY’s Zach Berman, multiple starting defenders (Darius Slay, C.J. Gardner-Johnson, Cooper DeJean, and Reed Blankenship) shouted out Gray as a standout from last year’s practice squad. Ainias Smith isn’t an easy cut but he often struggled last offseason.

TIGHT END: Dallas Goedert, Grant Calcaterra, Harrison Bryant (3) [15]

After much speculation that Goedert was a goner, he’ll be back in Philly for at least one more season. Very good news. It’ll be interesting to see who backs him up. Calcaterra is a capable receiver but he’s been a liability as a blocker. Watching Bryant reminded me of watching a lesser Zach Ertz in terms of a reliable chain-mover who isn’t super flashy. Kylen Granson and E.J. Jenkins are also in the mix for TE3 … or perhaps TE4 if the Eagles keep four. But I’m guessing three is the number with them already keeping a fullback.

OFFENSIVE LINE: Jordan Mailata, Landon Dickerson, Cam Jurgens, Tyler Steen, Lane Johnson, Kendall Lamm, Kenyon Green, Matt Pryor, Drew Kendall, Trevor Keegan, Myles Hinton (11) [26]

Four of the five starters are locked in. The big question is: who starts at right guard? Steen figures to get the first nod and it’s worth noting that the Eagles haven’t really missed a beat when he’s started games for them. Green and Pryor could both seriously challenge for the starting RG job, however. Lamm seems like a direct Fred Johnson replacement as the Eagles’ new swing tackle. We’ll see if Kendall can play guard at all but for now he’s at least the backup center. Keegan isn’t necessarily a lock to make the roster after spending most of his rookie season as a healthy scratch. Jeff Stoutland looked really excited after the Eagles drafted Hinton, so, I can’t see him getting cut. Stout loves him some Brett Toth, who will safely make it to the practice squad as the NFL equivalent of a ‘quad-A player’ in baseball. Cameron Williams can be a phantom IR stash. Massive UDFA signing Hollin Pierce might force his way into the Eagles not wanting to risk him getting poached.

DEFENSE

EDGE RUSHER: Nolan Smith, Jalyx Hunt, Azeez Ojulari, Joshua Uche, Antwaun Powell-Ryland (5) [31]

Smith got better and better as the 2024 season went along. We’ll see if he can make another developmental leap from Year 2 to Year 3. Hunt also got better with more playing time as a rookie. The Eagles are counting on him becoming a regular contributor in their edge rusher rotation. If Ojulari can stay healthy (a big if), he can be a solid player for the Eagles. Uche previously showed potential to get after the quarterback but he can’t be considered a roster lock. APR was simply too productive in college to be a total non-factor in the NFL. I left Bryce Huff off here because I just don’t think Vic Fangio trusts him to play. I could see Huff getting traded or the Eagles treating him like James Bradberry last year where he spends the entire season on injured reserve. One of Patrick Johnson, Ochaun Mathis, or KJ Henry could conceivably earn a roster spot with a strong summer.

DEFENSIVE TACKLE: Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis, Moro Ojomo, Ty Robinson, Thomas Booker IV (5) [36]

Jalen Carter, Defensive Player of the Year this season? It’s on the table. The Eagles are counting on Davis to be better in Year 4. It’s possible they’re in denial about what he is at this point but it’s also possible that he could fully bloom this season. The former outcome seems more likely. Ojomo could be DT2 in terms of snaps played as he looks to step up in the Milton Williams role. Robinson should at least be a solid rotational defensive tackle as a rookie (and perhaps he could get some occasional goal line fullback looks). Booker was productive in a relatively small sample size last year. He seems like a good DT4 or DT5 to keep around. Gabe Hall was one of the Eagles’ top UDFA signings from last year, so, he could be worth monitoring. Byron Young is a former third-round pick who will be in his first offseason in Fangio’s defense.

OFF-BALL LINEBACKER: Zack Baun, Jihaad Campbell, Jeremiah Trotter Jr., Smael Mondon Jr. (4) [40]

Baun could be due for some natural regression after being so unbelievably great last year. Then again, any kind of step back like that could be offset by him being much less new to his off-ball linebacker position. It’s unclear if/when Campbell will be ready to play in 2025 but he could potentially be a Week 1 starter. If neither Campbell nor Nakobe Dean can play in Week 1, Jeremiah Trotter Jr. and Smael Mondon Jr. are battling it out for the temporary starting job next to Baun. We have Dean beginning the season on PUP, by the way. More on him later in this article.

CORNERBACK: Quinyon Mitchell, Cooper DeJean, Kelee Ringo, Adoree’ Jackson, Mac McWilliams (5) [45]

Q and Coop were incredible as rookies. Developmental isn’t always linear, so, it’s entirely possible they’re not as good in 2025. But it’s hard to believe they’ll be bad after such a strong start to their careers. Assuming DeJean remains as a full-time player in the slot, Ringo is the top contender to start on the outside. Ringo has shown promise to this point and now’s the time for him to run with the opportunity. Jackson could end up starting if Ringo struggles or if injury opens up a spot for him. McWilliams figures to be a depth player as a rookie. The Eagles could certainly keep Eli Ricks, who was on the roster last year but didn’t play very much. They might be best served to trade him for more depth at another position, though.

SAFETY: Reed Blankenship, Drew Mukuba, Sydney Brown, Andre’ Sam (4) [49]

Blankenship is an underrated player and the Eagles should be looking to sign him to an extension since he’ll be a free agent after 2025. He’s locked in as a starter but the other spot is up for grabs. Projecting rookies (especially of the non-Round 1 variety) to start is typically bold but Fangio might really like Mukuba, who was a playmaker last year at Texas. The Eagles were previously high on Brown but he has much to prove this offseason. We’re projecting Sam to overtake Tristin McCollum as a depth safety who excels on special teams. Lewis Cine is an interesting flyer to monitor this summer. Maxen Hook is probably the Eagles UDFA with the best chance to make the roster; he could be a fourth or fifth safety option.

SPECIAL TEAMS

RETURN SPECIALIST: Avery Williams (1) [50]

Williams is listed at “RS” on the Eagles’ official website roster page. We’ll see if he’s lining up with a specific position group (perhaps running backs?) during OTAs. Nick Sirianni really talked Williams up during his media availability at the NFL owners meetings in late March. We’ll see if he has an offensive role as a gadget guy. At the very least, he figures to returns punts for the Eagles and perhaps kicks as well.

KICKER: Jake Elliott (1) [51]

Mark my words: Elliott will bounce back after struggling in 2024.

PUNTER: Braden Mann (1) [52]

Mann is entering a contract year. He can earn an extension with another good season.

LONG SNAPPER: Charley Hughlett (1) [53]

In case you missed it, Rick Lovato is no longer the Eagles’ long snapper.

INJURY DESIGNATIONS

PHYSICALLY UNABLE TO PERFORM LIST (PUP): Nakobe Dean

Dean suffered a torn patellar tendon on January 12. There’s talk about him being ahead of schedule. If true, that’s great! But the feeling here is that expectations should be tempered given the serious nature of the injury. If Dean begins the season on the PUP list, he’s required to miss at least the Eagles’ first four games before being eligible to return to action.

INJURED RESERVE (ELIGIBLE TO RETURN): Ainias Smith, Cameron Williams

Quick reminder that the NFL now allows teams to put up to two players on injured reserve prior to cutting down to 53 players with eligibility to return after four missed games (read: “phantom IR”). The Eagles used this maneuver with Ainias Smith and Albert Okwuegbunam last year. I’m projecting Smith to fall in the same bucket this year where he doesn’t look good enough to make the roster but the Eagles don’t want to take the L on a 2024 draft pick. And Williams seems like an ideal IR stash as someone who has long-term upside but likely won’t be ready to play in 2025.

PRACTICE SQUAD

QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson, RB Lew Nichols, RB ShunDerrick Powell, WR Terrace Marshall, WR Taylor Morin, TE Kylen Granson, OL Brett Toth, OT Hollin Pierce, EDGE Ochaun Mathis, EDGE KJ Henry, DT Byron Young, LB Dallas Gant, CB Eli Ricks, CB Parry Nickerson, S Maxen Hook, S Lewis Cine

International exemption: OT Laekin Vakalahi