Thursday, October 1, 2026
79 ° Clear
79 ° Clear
With the preseason finale now in the rear-view mirror, the Philadelphia Eagles have some tough decisions to make when it comes to cutting their roster down from 90 to 53. Here's one last guess at how the dominoes might fall and which surprise players make the final roster.
Jalen Hurts, Tanner McKee, and Cole Payton
Jalen Hurts is QB1; nothing has changed. Cole Payton was the developmental future QB2; the battle for the third QB on the roster to backup Jalen was always between Tanner McKee and Andy Dalton. I think most believe their battle was a draw; I believe Tanner offers more and is the guy who can win a game if they need him to. Dalton appears to be much more physically limited.
Saquon Barkley, Tank Bigsby, Will Shipley, and Carson Steele
Saquon and Tank should be one of the best 1–2 punches at RB in the NFL.
Shipley ended the competition for RB3 during joint practices. He reportedly had the best practices of his career as a pro. The job always seemed to be his, but he put his stamp on it against New England.
Carson Steele is a very difficult player to expose to waivers; he has been explosive and a game changer on the field. It would be out of character if the Eagles keep him, but I believe he has earned it.
DeVonta Smith, Makai Lemon, Dontayvion Wicks, Hollywood Brown, and Darius Cooper
Elijah Moore to the practice squad is tough, especially with the rapport he developed with Hurts this summer. This doesn’t mean he stays there. I believe he will be with the team week one.
Dallas Goedert, Eli Stowers, Johnny Mundt, Cameron Latu
The same four most projected from day one remain the guys I still believe will enter the season in the tight end room.
The veteran, the blocker, the special teamer, and the project. A really solid room in my opinion.
Could Eli be a candidate for Reserve/Injured (IR) Designated for Return?
Jordan Mailata, Lane Johnson, Landon Dickerson, Tyler Steen, Cam Jurgens, Fred Johnson, Markel Bell, Drew Kendall, Willie Lampkin, and Micah Morris
The five starters are set: Mailata, Lane, Cam, Steen, and Dickerson.
Rookie Markel Bell has been outstanding and could be the swing tackle year one, which could make Big Fred expendable; more on that later.
Micah Morris is too valuable to expose to waivers, in my opinion, and I have him getting the spot over Jake Majors.
The surprise cut is Michael Jordan, who was brought in to be the veteran interior backup, but in my estimation was beaten out by Lampkin and Kendall.
Another player I believe could be on the roster bubble is Fred Johnson. I am keeping him over Cam for now, but would not be shocked if the Eagles went with the upside.
Cameron Williams, Myles Hinton, Jake Majors, and John Ojukwu could find their way to the practice squad if unclaimed.
Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis, Moro Ojomo, Ty Robinson, Byron Young, and Uar Bernard
Jalen, Jordan, and Moro are locks. Ty Rob stepped up and stood out a lot over the last couple of weeks, and Bernard has too much talent to expose to waivers, in my opinion.
If I could make another addition, Zion Wilson would be it. He had a good summer.
Jonathan Greenard, Jalyx Hunt, Nolan Smith Jr., A.J. Epenesa, Arnold Ebiketie, and Josh Weru
The locks are: budding star Jalyx Hunt; the hungry Nolan Smith Jr.; and the newly acquired Jonathan Greenard. With Greenard's injury, I went one additional edge than I originally thought I would back in July.
Ebiketie could be the rotational player they hoped Azeez would be in 2025, and Epensa offers versatility and the ability to shut down the run and attack from the interior. He could also be released as a vested vet, allowing him to avoid waivers, affording the Eagles the ability to elevate him for the first three weeks.
Keyshawn James-Newby could be the surprise addition if Howie believes Weru can get through waivers.
Jose Ramirez did more than enough to be on the practice squad.
Without knowing the extent of the injury, Greenard is another player who could be a candidate for Reserve/Injured (IR) Designated for Return.
Zack Baun, Jihaad Campbell, Jeremiah Trotter Jr., Smael Mondon Jr., and Chance Campbell
Last season was the deepest LB room the Eagles had in over a decade; the 2026 version could be even deeper.
Zach, Jihaad, and Jeremiah are locks, with Smael knocking on that door as well. Those are the four if they go light at the position.
Deontae Lawson is a wildcard; I currently have Chance as that fifth LB, but I am highly intrigued by Lawson. If Deontae does not make the 53, I’d expect to see him on their practice squad if he gets through waivers.
Cornerback (5)
Quinyon Mitchell, Riq Woolen, Cooper DeJean, Mac McWilliams, and Kelee Ringo
The Eagles’ ‘No Fly Zone’ begins with their three locks: Q, Coop, and Riq, but there is very little depth behind them to sustain them if they encounter injuries.
Jonathan Jones is a vested veteran and wouldn’t go through waivers if he were released, so I believe he will be the odd man out of those expected to make the roster before camp starts. He will likely still be a part of the team via elevations or post-cut maneuvers after the initial 53 and/or subsequent IR designations.
Mac is the player I see as still developing, cost-effective, and, despite only standing out in spurts, someone I believe they are still interested in keeping around.
The Birds will be watching the waiver wire for corners.
Andrew Mukuba, Marcus Epps, and Michael Carter II
Cole Wisniewski battled injuries and seems destined for the practice squad.
Kapena Gushiken and Maximus Pulley could both make the team's practice squad, but if I had to give one an edge, it would be Gush. I believe Kapena’s versatility makes him a little more valuable.
Andre’ Sams left the game injured on a cart; he played well prior to the injury.
Jake Elliott and Braden Mann
Eilliot is hard to move on from due to his contract extension; Mann is a field-flipper on a new deal.
Rocco Underwood is a player they may be able to re-sign after cuts, and they have previously gone without a long snapper on the initial 53-man roster before, including last year.
