The Philadelphia Eagles are likely going to be a very good football team in 2015. In their first two seasons under head coach Chip Kelly, they won 10 and 10 games, ranking fourth and third in the league in points scored. Despite an insane roster overhaul that saw the Eagles change five starters on the offensive side of the ball and five more on defense, the Eagles don’t have a lot of positional battle drama heading into their third preseason game. Virtually every starting spot is already written in stone, with only competitions like fourth running back, backup offensive linemen, and, of course, third-string quarterback still undecided. Below is my prediction for the official 53-man roster for the Eagles, complete with a 10-man practice squad.
Quarterbacks (3): Sam Bradford, Mark Sanchez, Tim Tebow
Remember when Chip Kelly claimed the Eagles were having a quarterback competition? Yeah, that never happened. When you’re a former number one overall draft pick making close to $13 million, you’re the unquestioned starter. Veteran Mark Sanchez might be the best backup quarterback in the league. Despite lots of criticism for his play late in the 2014 season, Sanchez led the Eagles to more than 27 points of offense per game. This prediction has former Heisman winner Tim Tebow beating out the only quarterback who has been with Chip Kelly since the beginning. Whether Matt Barkley is traded, which is unlikely, or just released, the guess here is that Kelly opts to keep the versatile goal-line threat over the inconsistent pocket-passer.
Running Backs (4): DeMarco Murray, Ryan Mathews, Darren Sproles, Kenjon Barner
DeMarco Murray, fresh off a season that included 497 touches for 2486 yards and 15 touchdowns, including the playoffs, is receiving the Adrian Peterson treatment. The Eagles are heavily monitoring his workload but there’s no doubt that he’s the feature back in this offense. Ryan Mathews is just two years removed from a Pro Bowl season, and like Sanchez, might be the best backup in the NFL. Veteran Darren Sproles adds explosiveness and will likely be used more as a receiver than runner. Former Oregon star Kenjon Barner has earned a roster spot with a ridiculous preseason that has included punt return touchdowns in both preseason games. He can contribute as a runner, receiver and returner. Raheem Mostert, an undrafted back out of Purdue, leads the team in total yards this preseason and is an ideal fit for the practice squad.
Wide Receivers (6): Jordan Mathews, Nelson Agholor, Riley Cooper, Josh Huff, Miles Austin, Seyi Ajirotutu
Listed as the slot receiver, Jordan Matthews is the obvious number one weapon for Sam Bradford this season. He has the size and speed to dominate smaller corners inside, but he’s too good for the Eagles to prevent him from playing outside as well. Rookie first-round pick Nelson Agholor won’t open the season as the starter but he’ll likely be the number two receiver in targets this season. Riley Cooper is a Chip Kelly favorite because of his blocking ability but he should see his targets dramatically decreased this season with the expected emergence of last year’s third-round pick Josh Huff. Veteran Miles Austin has been quiet during camp but $1 million in guaranteed money means he’ll make the squad. Seyi Ajirotutu earns the sixth receiver job primarily on his special teams abilities, as the former Chargers wideout was their 2014 Special Teams Player of the Year. Local product Rasheed Bailey has been one of the fan favorites during camp and is the most obvious practice squad candidate of any player on the team.
Tight Ends (3): Brent Celek, Zach Ertz, Trey Burton
Brent Celek’s vastly superior blocking ability to Zach Ertz keeps him as the starter for the seventh straight season. The 30-year-old isn’t much of a threat as a pass-catcher, and that’s where Ertz, as long as he stays healthy, will do most of his damage. Trey Burton earned a roster spot in 2014 despite going undrafted and he could be in line for a larger role in 2015. Rookie Eric Tomlinson beats out another rookie, Andrew Gleichert, for a practice squad spot.
Offensive Line (8): Jason Peters, Allen Barbre, Jason Kelce, Andrew Gardner, Lane Johnson, Matt Tobin, Malcolm Bunche, Julian Vandervelde
Jason Peters, Jason Kelce and Lane Johnson are among the best in the game at what they do. It’s the two men in the interior of the line that raise questions. The Eagles love veteran Allen Barbre and he’s slated as the replacement for Evan Mathis at left guard, while another veteran, Andrew Gardner, has emerged as the default winner at right guard. Barbre, 31, and Gardner, 29, have combined to make 16 career starts in 14 seasons, and it’s a long shot to see each make it through the entire season healthy and productive. Matt Tobin has had a disappointing offseason, but he’s a lock to make the team, as he can fill in at any of the four tackle or guard slots. Undrafted rookie Malcolm Bunche is my surprise pick to earn a spot on the 53-man roster, while 2011 fifth-round pick Julian Vandervelde is back again, this time as a backup center who can also play guard. Brett Boyko and Mike Coccia landed on the practice squad.
Defensive Line (6): Fletcher Cox, Bennie Logan, Cedric Thornton, Taylor Hart, Beau Allen, Brandon Bair
Fletcher Cox is a one-man wrecking ball at defensive end, while Cedric Thornton is a starter for the third straight season based on his abilities as a run-stopper. Bennie Logan is a prime breakout candidate to emerge as one of the better nose tackles in the game. Last year’s fifth-round pick, Taylor Hart, red-shirted as a rookie but he’s expected to see some action in 2015. Beau Allen and Brandon Bair are backups entering their second season under Kelly. Rookie seventh-round pick Brian Mihalik is a perfect practice squad candidate, as is undrafted defensive end Travis Raciti.
Linebackers (10): Connor Barwin, Kiko Alonso, DeMeco Ryans, Brandon Graham, Mychal Kendricks, Vinny Curry, Marcus Smith, Jordan Hicks, Bryan Braman, Brad Jones
Take the four best linebackers Andy Reid had during his 14 seasons with the Eagles. Only one, Jeremiah Trotter, earns a starting job on this team. The news of Mychal Kendricks’ extension likely means that veteran DeMeco Ryans will be delegated to a backup role, as he should be. I listed edge-rusher Vinny Curry at the position I expect him to play the most, as he provides much better depth than first-round bust Marcus Smith. Third-rounder Jordan Hicks figures to be a weekly inactive. Bryan Braman is a terror on special teams, while veteran Brad Jones can play a little inside or outside while also helping on special teams. A name to watch for the practice squad is undrafted rookie Diaheem Watkins, who had a sack and two tackles for a loss against Baltimore on Saturday night.
Cornerbacks (5): Byron Maxwell, Nolan Carroll, EJ Biggers, Eric Rowe, Jaylen Watkins
Byron Maxwell is the $63 million man and the new face of the team’s secondary for the next several seasons. Veteran Nolan Carroll has unofficially won the other starting spot, while second-round pick Eric Rowe will obviously earn a spot. The guess here is that under-the-radar free-agent signing EJ Biggers wins the nickel spot, meaning Rowe begins the season as the dime corner. Last year’s fourth-round pick Jaylen Watkins hasn’t shown anything in over a year and is the final man to make the 53-man roster. Had he not been injured, sixth-round pick JaCorey Shepherd would have been the nickel corner. The team’s other sixth-round pick, Randall Evans, should find his way onto the practice squad, as will undrafted corner Denzel Rice, who has turned some heads in camp.
Safeties (5): Malcolm Jenkins, Walter Thurmond, Ed Reynolds, Chris Maragos, Chris Prosinski
Veteran Malcolm Jenkins solidified the free safety position in 2014, intercepting three passes in the first three games. Walter Thurmond, signed on a low-risk, high-reward one-year deal after an injury-plagued 2014 campaign with the rival Giants, has unofficially clinched the other starting safety spot with an impressive camp. Jenkins and Thurmond have played both outside and inside corner, where their versatility will help tremendously on passing downs. 2013 fifth-round pick Earl Wolff felt like a prime candidate for the top backup spot at safety, but a knee that won’t stop swelling led to his release and the likely end of his short NFL career. As a result, last year’s fifth-rounder, Ed Reynolds, becomes the lone backup who isn’t on the team for his special teams prowess. Special teams ace Chris Maragos, one of three defensive backs from the 2013 Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks, returns after a dominant 2014 season. He’s joined by last year’s late-season acquisition, Chris Prosinski, also a top special teamer. Despite his insane measureables, Jerome Couplin missed both the team and the practice squad.
Special Teams (3): Cody Parkey, Donnie Jones, Jon Dorenbos
There are no surprises on the special teams. Cody Parkey returns after a dominant Pro Bowl campaign in 2014, Donnie Jones is one of the better veteran punters, and Jon Dorenbos is as good as it gets for his consistency as a long-snapper.
Practice Squad (10): Raheem Mostert, Rasheed Bailey, Eric Tomlinson, Brett Boyko, Mike Coccia, Brian Mihalik, Travis Raciti, Diaheem Watkins, Denzel Rice, Randall Evans
