We beforehand frolicked projecting the Philadelphia Eagles’ depth chart for the 2025 NFL season. We began with the offense, moved on to the protection, after which completed up with the particular groups unit. With OTAs beginning up at the moment, it’s now time for a prediction of who will really make the ultimate minimize right down to 53 gamers. We’ll definitely replace these projections all through the remainder of the offseason to replicate significant developments from practices and preseason video games.
OFFENSE
QUARTERBACK: Jalen Hurts, Tanner McKee, Kyle McCord (3) [3]
Hurts, the reigning Tremendous Bowl MVP, will doubtless be required to go the ball extra usually than he did in 2024. McKee is arguably an improve on Kenny Pickett as QB2, particularly since he now will get to profit from taking far more reps than he sometimes obtained up to now. McCord and Dorian Thompson-Robinson are battling it out for the emergency third quarterback function. McCord will doubtless win that job except he completely bombs and DTR lights it up.
RUNNING BACK: Saquon Barkley, Will Shipley, AJ Dillon (3) [6]
How will Barkley observe up the very best working again season in NFL historical past? Historical past suggests he can’t be fairly that superior once more however he’ll most likely nonetheless be fairly good. Shipley figures to take over the Kenny Gainwell function as RB2. Dillon isn’t essentially assured to make the roster however he looks as if depth choice to have round. Shipley and Dillon may share the workload if Barkley turns into unavailable. Undrafted rookie free agent signings Montrell Johnson Jr. and ShunDerrick Powell have an opportunity to push for RB3 or RB4.
FULLBACK: Ben VanSumeren (1) [7]
The Eagles weren’t utilizing a fullback so usually final yr that they MUST preserve one on the roster. However they appear to love BVS, who gives particular groups worth when he’s not lead blocking.
WIDE RECEIVER: A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, Jahan Dotson, Johnny Wilson, Danny Grey (5) [12]
The Eagles are coming into their fourth season of A.J. and DeVonta main the best way at WR. Previous to this period, there have been many seasons after they would’ve killed to have no less than a type of two. It’ll be fascinating to see if Dotson can emerge as extra of an element after not doing a lot in 2024. One would suppose him and Hurts ought to be capable to construct a greater chemistry this offseason. Wilson is an intriguing function participant as an enormous blocker and pink zone menace. Who’s Danny Grey, you may ask? Effectively, the 2022 third-round choose is a burner with 4.33 velocity who may be value being attentive to. In a survey performed by PHLY’s Zach Berman, a number of beginning defenders (Darius Slay, C.J. Gardner-Johnson, Cooper DeJean, and Reed Blankenship) shouted out Grey as a standout from final yr’s observe squad. Ainias Smith isn’t a simple minimize however he usually struggled final offseason.
TIGHT END: Dallas Goedert, Grant Calcaterra, Harrison Bryant (3) [15]
After a lot hypothesis that Goedert was a goner, he’ll be again in Philly for no less than yet another season. Excellent information. It’ll be fascinating to see who backs him up. Calcaterra is a succesful receiver however he’s been a legal responsibility as a blocker. Watching Bryant jogged my memory of watching a lesser Zach Ertz by way of a dependable chain-mover who isn’t tremendous flashy. Kylen Granson and E.J. Jenkins are additionally within the combine for TE3 … or maybe TE4 if the Eagles preserve 4. However I’m guessing three is the quantity with them already retaining a fullback.
OFFENSIVE LINE: Jordan Mailata, Landon Dickerson, Cam Jurgens, Tyler Steen, Lane Johnson, Kendall Lamm, Kenyon Inexperienced, Matt Pryor, Drew Kendall, Trevor Keegan, Myles Hinton (11) [26]
4 of the 5 starters are locked in. The large query is: who begins at proper guard? Steen figures to get the primary nod and it’s value noting that the Eagles haven’t actually missed a beat when he’s began video games for them. Inexperienced and Pryor may each severely problem for the beginning RG job, nonetheless. Lamm looks as if a direct Fred Johnson substitute because the Eagles’ new swing sort out. We’ll see if Kendall can play guard in any respect however for now he’s no less than the backup middle. Keegan isn’t essentially a lock to make the roster after spending most of his rookie season as a wholesome scratch. Jeff Stoutland appeared actually excited after the Eagles drafted Hinton, so, I can’t see him getting minimize. Stout loves him some Brett Toth, who will safely make it to the observe squad because the NFL equal of a ‘quad-A participant’ in baseball. Cameron Williams could be a phantom IR stash. Large UDFA signing Hollin Pierce may power his means into the Eagles not eager to danger him getting poached.
DEFENSE
EDGE RUSHER: Nolan Smith, Jalyx Hunt, Azeez Ojulari, Joshua Uche, Antwaun Powell-Ryland (5) [31]
Smith obtained higher and higher because the 2024 season went alongside. We’ll see if he could make one other developmental leap from 12 months 2 to 12 months 3. Hunt additionally obtained higher with extra enjoying time as a rookie. The Eagles are relying on him turning into an everyday contributor of their edge rusher rotation. If Ojulari can keep wholesome (an enormous if), he could be a strong participant for the Eagles. Uche beforehand confirmed potential to get after the quarterback however he can’t be thought-about a roster lock. APR was just too productive in faculty to be a complete non-factor within the NFL. I left Bryce Huff off right here as a result of I simply don’t suppose Vic Fangio trusts him to play. I may see Huff getting traded or the Eagles treating him like James Bradberry final yr the place he spends the complete season on injured reserve. One in all Patrick Johnson, Ochaun Mathis, or KJ Henry may conceivably earn a roster spot with a powerful summer time.
DEFENSIVE TACKLE: Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis, Moro Ojomo, Ty Robinson, Thomas Booker IV (5) [36]
Jalen Carter, Defensive Participant of the 12 months this season? It’s on the desk. The Eagles are relying on Davis to be higher in 12 months 4. It’s potential they’re in denial about what he’s at this level but it surely’s additionally potential that he may absolutely bloom this season. The previous final result appears extra doubtless. Ojomo could possibly be DT2 by way of snaps performed as he seems to be to step up within the Milton Williams function. Robinson ought to no less than be a strong rotational defensive sort out as a rookie (and maybe he may get some occasional purpose line fullback seems to be). Booker was productive in a comparatively small pattern measurement final yr. He looks as if DT4 or DT5 to maintain round. Gabe Corridor was one of many Eagles’ prime UDFA signings from final yr, so, he could possibly be value monitoring. Byron Younger is a former third-round choose who can be in his first offseason in Fangio’s protection.
OFF-BALL LINEBACKER: Zack Baun, Jihaad Campbell, Jeremiah Trotter Jr., Smael Mondon Jr. (4) [40]
Baun could possibly be due for some pure regression after being so unbelievably nice final yr. Then once more, any type of step again like that could possibly be offset by him being a lot much less new to his off-ball linebacker place. It’s unclear if/when Campbell can be able to play in 2025 however he may doubtlessly 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 momentary beginning job subsequent to Baun. We have now Dean starting the season on PUP, by the best way. Extra on him later on this article.
CORNERBACK: Quinyon Mitchell, Cooper DeJean, Kelee Ringo, Adoree’ Jackson, Mac McWilliams (5) [45]
Q and Coop have been unbelievable as rookies. Developmental isn’t at all times linear, so, it’s totally potential they’re not nearly as good in 2025. Nevertheless it’s arduous to imagine they’ll be dangerous after such a powerful begin to their careers. Assuming DeJean stays as a full-time participant within the slot, Ringo is the highest contender to begin on the surface. Ringo has proven promise so far and now’s the time for him to run with the chance. Jackson may find yourself beginning if Ringo struggles or if harm opens up a spot for him. McWilliams figures to be a depth participant as a rookie. The Eagles may definitely preserve Eli Ricks, who was on the roster final yr however didn’t play very a lot. They may be finest served to commerce him for extra depth at one other place, although.
SAFETY: Reed Blankenship, Drew Mukuba, Sydney Brown, Andre’ Sam (4) [49]
Blankenship is an underrated participant and the Eagles must be trying to signal him to an extension since he’ll be a free agent after 2025. He’s locked in as a starter however the different spot is up for grabs. Projecting rookies (particularly of the non-Spherical 1 selection) to begin is usually daring however Fangio may actually like Mukuba, who was a playmaker final yr at Texas. The Eagles have been beforehand excessive on Brown however he has a lot to show this offseason. We’re projecting Sam to overhaul Tristin McCollum as a depth security who excels on particular groups. Lewis Cine is an fascinating flyer to observe this summer time. Maxen Hook might be the Eagles UDFA with the very best probability to make the roster; he could possibly be a fourth or fifth security choice.
SPECIAL TEAMS
RETURN SPECIALIST: Avery Williams (1) [50]
Williams is listed at “RS” on the Eagles’ official web site roster web page. We’ll see if he’s lining up with a particular place group (maybe working backs?) throughout OTAs. Nick Sirianni actually talked Williams up throughout his media availability on the NFL homeowners conferences in late March. We’ll see if he has an offensive function as a gadget man. On the very least, he figures to returns punts for the Eagles and maybe kicks as properly.
KICKER: Jake Elliott (1) [51]
Mark my phrases: Elliott will bounce again after struggling in 2024.
PUNTER: Braden Mann (1) [52]
Mann is coming into a contract yr. He can earn an extension with one other good season.
LONG SNAPPER: Charley Hughlett (1) [53]
In case you missed it, Rick Lovato is not the Eagles’ lengthy snapper.
INJURY DESIGNATIONS
PHYSICALLY UNABLE TO PERFORM LIST (PUP): Nakobe Dean
Dean suffered a torn patellar tendon on January 12. There’s speak about him being forward of schedule. If true, that’s nice! However the feeling right here is that expectations must be tempered given the intense nature of the harm. If Dean begins the season on the PUP record, he’s required to overlook no less than the Eagles’ first 4 video games earlier than being eligible to return to motion.
INJURED RESERVE (ELIGIBLE TO RETURN): Ainias Smith, Cameron Williams
Fast reminder that the NFL now permits groups to place as much as two gamers on injured reserve previous to slicing right down to 53 gamers with eligibility to return after 4 missed video games (learn: “phantom IR”). The Eagles used this maneuver with Ainias Smith and Albert Okwuegbunam final yr. I’m projecting Smith to fall in the identical bucket this yr the place he doesn’t look adequate to make the roster however the Eagles don’t need to take the L on a 2024 draft choose. And Williams looks as if an excellent IR stash as somebody who has long-term upside however doubtless received’t be able 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 Younger, LB Dallas Gant, CB Eli Ricks, CB Parry Nickerson, S Maxen Hook, S Lewis Cine
Worldwide exemption: OT Laekin Vakalahi
