The deadline is approaching as the Philadelphia Eagles will need to submit their initial 53-man roster to the league before the 2022 season. The 53-man roster deadline is Tuesday at 4 p.m. next few days (the Eagles will have to release 27 players).
Which players stood out in the final week of camp and the preseason finale to warrant a late push for roster review? With safety uncertainty and the back of the wide receiver position, the Eagles will have some tough decisions to make over the next few days.
Here is the final projection of the 53-man roster after observing training camp and all three preseason games. There are a few changes from our initial projection last Monday, which are highlighted below.
Let’s see how many of those picks are correct when the Eagles reveal their 53-man roster this week.
The Eagles have needs in other positions here, and some more deserving candidates for roster spots. Sinnett had the opportunity to cement the No. 3 quarterback position, but a poor preseason finish capped a lackluster second half of camp. Philadelphia can afford to cut ties.
As for Carson Strong: Not immediately entering a preseason game where the Eagles were losing 41-3 tells all you need to know. Strong should be a candidate for the practice squad, but he’s far from ready for an active NFL roster.
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- Previous screening: Sanders, Scott, Gainwell
No change here as these three are the running backs the Eagles will have in Week 1. Jason Huntley was passed by Britain Covey and Quez Watkins on the kick return in the pre-season finale, so his fate seems sealed. Huntley had a good game as a running back, so it’s possible another team could give him a chance.
Kennedy Brooks is a practice squad candidate.
- Previous screening: Brown, Smith, Watkins, Pascal, Reagor, Deon Cain
This will be one of the toughest decisions the Eagles will have to make. Philadelphia can easily keep six receivers here, but which of Cain, Britain Covey or Devon Allen makes the roster?
Allen made a late push for a roster spot with his touchdown in the preseason win over the Browns and made some great plays on special teams in Saturday’s loss to the Dolphins. The Eagles will struggle to release Allen lest he be claimed by another team that can afford to take a chance on him. If Allen made the 53-man roster as the No. 6 receiver, it wouldn’t be at all surprising.
Reagor is on this team because it costs more to cut him than to keep him. If the Eagles can find business partners for Reagor, they will certainly accept the offers. Cain and Covey may be tucked away on the practice squad and ready for a call-up mid-season – same with Greg Ward.
For now, it’s set five but that may change in the next few days.
- Previous screening: Goedert, Stoll, Calcaterra
No change here, these are the three tight ends the Eagles will outfit for Week 1. Calcaterra shows he can be a reliable No. 2 pass to catch the tight end while Stoll is a great blocker.
Calcaterra needs work as a blocker, but the Eagles like what he adds on offense. It’s a young group.
- Previous screening: Mailata, Dickerson, Kelce, Seumalo, Johnson, Dillard, Opeta, Driscoll, Jurgens
With the quarterback position down from three to two and the wide receiver down from six to five, there is a spot available for Anderson to be on that team. Anderson’s value is his versatility, playing left guard, right guard and center this preseason. From what the Eagles have shown since Jeff Stoutland took over as offensive line coach, they really like offensive linemen who can play in multiple positions.
Anderson is part of that team, being on the entire camp’s bubble roster. He’s shown enough to deserve a place in this team. Opeta has also been good this pre-season and in joint training, so it makes sense for the Eagles to keep both.
- Previous screening: Graham, Reddick, Sweat, Barnett, Jackson, K. Johnson
No reason to replace Kyron Johnson with Patrick Johnson here. The Eagles have an available spot to keep seven, with Patrick Johnson as roster lock and Kyron Johnson on the bubble. Patrick Johnson had a great camp, culminating with a sack in the preseason finale against the Dolphins. It provides valuable depth to an already deep position.
As a reminder, these players will mostly rush the setter into Jonathan Gannon’s defense, although he does have Reddick and Johnson back in cover. Johnson is also a good special team member and has value in kickoff and punt coverage – plus the Eagles used one of their five draft picks against him . It makes the team with the available place.
- Previous screening: Cox, Hargrave, Davis, Williams, Tuipulotu
The Eagles are set at defensive tackle here, starting with the rotation of Cox, Hargrave and Davis. Williams can rotate inside and out and Tuipulotu caps off a strong summer with a roster spot.
Marvin Wilson is on this team most years, but Tuipulotu has played well throughout camp. There should be a place on the practice squad for him.
- Previous screening: Edwards, White, Dean, Taylor, Bradley
No change here, but it’s fair to wonder if Taylor has played well enough to earn a spot on the roster. A former third-round pick who served as a developmental linebacker, the Eagles are giving Taylor another developmental year — buried in the depth chart.
This position is also deep, but it relies on Dean’s development. Edwards is the favorite to start at MIKE in Week 1.
- Previous screening: Kill, Bradberry, Maddox, McPhearson, Jobe
The top four spots are locked on the roster, and Jobe broke away from the pack in the final weeks of camp, playing well enough to warrant a roster spot (the elbow injury shouldn’t affect his chances). There’s also room here for Tay Gowan, who has been excellent in pre-season game coverage.
With the safety position uncertain, the Eagles won’t be able to keep six cornerbacks. Gowan could be claimed by another team, but the Eagles are hoping he can land on the practice squad.
It’s a decision that will linger until the final minutes with the Eagles front office, as no one from the Eagles wanted to grab the safety post did so convincingly. Blankenship is making its way up the roster with a strong pre-season, being able to make plays in the box and performing well in single coverage. With the uncertainty here, Blankenship is worth taking a chance.
The Eagles decide to keep Tarett and guarantee his salary because Chachere and Wallace are not earning their jobs. Wallace looked lost on that deep pass to Tyreek Hill on Saturday night, culminating a top-down training camp. Chachere is worth keeping on special teams, but Scott adds more value as a cornerback and safety – and is more likely to be claimed on waivers.
No reason to be comfortable with Tartt either, but he started out in the league and has experience in a badly needed position. Philadelphia may be far from done trying to catch up on safety, so that position is changing over the next few days.
If the Eagles cut Tartt and keep Chachere or Wallace, guaranteed salary plays a major role in the decision. Tartt didn’t have a big camp and challenge for a starting job like he was brought up to do. It is a problem.
- Previous screening: Elliott, Siposs, Lovato
Nothing changes here. These are the three who will have these places for week 1.