Eagles training camp preview: 53-man roster prediction

Philadelphia Eagles training camp is here!

Players reported to the NovaCare Complex on Tuesday, July 28 ahead of the team’s first practice on Wednesday, July 29.

Before the on-field action gets started, let’s run through everyone’s favorite summer activity: a 53-player roster prediction. The objective here is to get an early look at how the Eagles’ initial depth chart could play out. We’ll certainly update these projections throughout the summer to reflect meaningful developments from practices and preseason games.

(For fun, take a look at my last 53-man roster projection from exactly one month ago.)

QUARTERBACK: Jalen Hurts, Tanner McKee, Cole Payton (3) [3]

This feels like an especially important camp for Hurts as he adjusts to a new offense under Sean Mannion. It’ll be really interesting to monitor his progress. McKee is the Eagles’ second-best quarterback. He’s shown promise in small sample sizes. Andy Dalton, who turns 39 in October, seemed to be QB2 in spring practices based on how the reps were divvied up but he just didn’t look very good. At this point in time, I struggle to see how Dalton belongs on this roster meritoriously. Payton has enough potential to warrant a third quarterback role.

RUNNING BACK: Saquon Barkley, Tank Bigsby, Will Shipley (3) [6]

If the Eagles’ offensive line is healthy, there’s no reason Barkley shouldn’t have another big year. Bigsby is simply too good to go underutilized but it’s not like the coaching staff is going to be eager to take touches away from Barkley. Shipley isn’t a player that excites fans but he’s going to have a role as a kick returner/special teams contributor/two-minute drill back/etc. Dameon Pierce and Elijah Mitchell are likely competing for a fourth running back spot but the Eagles can probably just keep at least one of them around on the practice squad.

WIDE RECEIVER: DeVonta Smith, Makai Lemon, Dontayvion Wicks, Hollywood Brown, Johnny Wilson, Darius Cooper(6) [12]

DeVonta is going to have a huge year. How good do you feel about the receivers behind Smitty? The Eagles are counting on Lemon to make significant contributions as a rookie. It’s possible he’ll be really good from the jump; we’ll see if that’s the case or not in camp. Nick Sirianni has framed Wicks as a top three receiver on this team and even compared aspects of his game to Keenan Allen. Brown is probably being slept on and it’s possible he could be WR3 but for now he’s WR4. Wilson currently seems to have the inside track on being the “dirty work” wide receiver over Cooper. Don’t forget that Cooper really came alive last summer, though, and he could do it again here. I do think DC might make sense as a trade candidate for more depth at a different position, something akin to the Thomas Booker for Jakorian Bennett deal last year. Elijah Moore is a name to watch here, though I tend to think he could stay around on the practice squad, which is where he finished the 2025 season as a member of the Denver Broncos. Britain Covey could begin the season on the practice squad as the Eagles’ primary punt returner.

TIGHT END: Dallas Goedert, Johnny Mundt, Eli Stowers, Cameron Latu (4) [16]

Goedert is the clear top tight end and he could see more volume than he did last year in the aftermath of A.J. Brown’s departure. The front office might prefer Stowers to play more than Mundt but the coaching staff could be inclined to better trust the latter. Stowers was a part-time player in college and could need more seasoning before he’s ready to contribute in the NFL. Mundt is expected to at least be a good blocker. Latu could contribute as a fullback in addition to being a stud on special teams.

OFFENSIVE LINE: Jordan Mailata, Landon Dickerson, Cam Jurgens, Tyler Steen, Lane Johnson, Fred Johnson, Markel Bell, Drew Kendall, Myles Hinton, Micah Morris (10) [26]

The starting offensive line should be one of the best in the NFL … if healthy. And that’s a big “if.” It’ll be very encouraging if Dickerson and Jurgens can make it through camp without any issues. Big Fred could be a surprise cut candidate if the Eagles feel like Bell is ready to be the swing tackle as a rookie but I tend to think they’ll lean towards keeping him. Kendall is unproven but the Eagles are seemingly counting on him to be the top interior option, just like Brett Toth was last season. Hinton is training at left guard after spending his rookie season at tackle; demonstrating versatility could help him make the roster. The Eagles might not want to cut Morris as a rookie. Cameron Williams and Willie Lampkin are tough cuts here but the Eagles might be able to stash them on injured reserve or something. Veteran journeyman Michael Jordan could also push for a roster spot.

EDGE DEFENDER: Jonathan Greenard, Nolan Smith, Jalyx Hunt, Arnold Ebiketie, A.J. Epenesa (5) [31]

Mark my words: barring injury, Greenard will get back to being a double-digit sacker this season. He’s going to be a real nice addition to this defense. It’ll be interesting to see how the Eagles split snaps between Smith and Hunt. It’s easier to be bullish about the latter at this point in time but I think some are forgetting just how good Smith was for a large portion of the Eagles’ Super Bowl LIX-winning season. The 2023 first-round pick could bounce back after a lost year in 2025. Ebiketie is a fine fit as a fourth or fifth edge rusher. Epenesa’s medical situation bears monitoring after he failed a physical earlier this year but he should be able to make the roster if he’s healthy. Brandon Graham can still play but it doesn’t seem like the Eagles are rushing to bring him back for one last ride. And BG said he would like to have a camp under his belt if he’s going to come back for 2026.

DEFENSIVE TACKLE: Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis, Moro Ojomo, Byron Young, Gabe Hall (5) [36]

Carter won’t be holding out nor holding in after receiving a big-time contract extension. The Eagles are counting on him to be healthier and much more effective this season. If Carter lives up to his potential, he can be the engine of the NFL’s very best defense. The Eagles also paid big money to Davis because they believe his best football is ahead of him. Ojomo is on the Milton Williams path to have a big contract year before getting handsomely rewarded by a new team in free agency. Vic Fangio clearly likes “BY,” so, he’s DT4. Hall was lining up next to Young on the second-team defensive line in the spring. He’s also just about four months older than Ty Robinson, who really struggled as a rookie. The Eagles probably don’t want to risk exposing Uar Bernard to waivers but he’s clearly not ready to play at all in 2026. They might be able to stash him away.

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

Baun is a stud. Campbell has flashed serious potential. One would hope he’ll be full go in camp after he missed spring practices due to his shoulder recovery. Trot Jr. isn’t realistically going to beat out Campbell but he’s going to try his hardest to make it close; Trot’s a good player. Mondon Jr. has showed enough potential on defense in addition to being a special teams guy. The Eagles could feasibly keep five at this position with Chance Campbell making the team. He could force the team’s hand by having a strong summer.

CORNERBACK: Quinyon Mitchell, Riq Woolen, Cooper DeJean, Jonathan Jones, Kelee Ringo (5) [45]

No one will be surprised when Q has another All-Pro season. Would be nice to see him get his first career regular season interception in 2026. There might be some volatility with Woolen but I’m bullish on the good outweighing the bad with him. DeJean is an elite slot defender who will also be playing at safety in the Eagles’ base defense. Jones is an experienced starter who has inside-out versatility; seems like a good backup option to keep around. Ringo has struggled as a defender but he can help on special teams. Mac McWilliams, Jakorian Bennett, and Shaun Wade could be competing for a sixth spot.

SAFETY: Andrew Mukuba, Marcus Epps, Michael Carter II, Cole Wisniewski, Kapena Gushiken (5) [50]

Mukuba got better as the 2025 season went along before he got hurt. The Eagles really need him to make a leap from Year 1 to Year 2. Fangio said the Eagles will be “fine” if Epps ends up starting and I agree with him. Epps is a cromulent NFL starting safety who won’t even be taking 100% of the defensive snaps since DeJean will be playing over him in the Eagles’ base defense. Carter could push for a starting role but he’ll at least be the Eagles’ dime defender who provides depth at both safety and slot corner. Perhaps keeping both Wisniewski and Gushiken is too much youth; I’ve previously had special teams standout J.T. Gray making the roster. But maybe Gray can be kept on the practice squad to help prevent the rookie defensive backs from being exposed to waivers.

KICKER: Jake Elliott (1)[51]

The Eagles probably should’ve brought in some competition for Elliott, who is coming off two straight down years. But they didn’t, so, he’s the kicker.

PUNTER: Braden Mann (1)[52]

Mann is a solid punter.

LONG SNAPPER: Rocco Underwood (1) [53]

The Eagles didn’t bring competition in for Underwood but the undrafted rookie will be competing against long snappers elsewhere in the NFL.

INJURED RESERVE (ELIGIBLE TO RETURN): Cameron Williams, Willie Lampkin

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.

RB Dameon Pierce, WR Elijah Moore, WR Britain Covey, TE E.J. Jenkins, TE Dae’Quan Wright, OT Hollin Pierce, 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 J.T. Gray

International exemption: DT Uar Bernard

Again, the Eagles might not want to risk exposing Bernard to waivers. But he’s not going to be ready for a team in 2026 (or perhaps even 2027), so, they might wager that no one will use a roster spot on him. And if the Eagles keep him around on the practice squad, his international exemption means he won’t count towards the 16-player limit.