The Eagles have their preliminary roster of 53 players for the 2023 season.
After weeks of training camp, three combined workouts, and three pre-season games, the Eagles whittled their 90-man roster down to 53 by Tuesday’s 4 p.m. deadline.
This is just a preliminary list of 53 men. There will be more changes in the future. Remember, the Eagles took three players last year and had to shuffle the deck a bit.
But this is the starting point. Here is the preliminary list of 53 players:
Midfield: (3) Jalen Hertz, Marcus Mariota, Tanner McKee
The Eagles waived current third baseman Ian Book in favor of sixth round draft pick Mackie, who had a stellar pre-season. While Mariota has struggled this summer, McKee has been a pleasant surprise and there may be some hope he can grow into that backup role for the 2024 season.
Running Back: (4) Kenny Ginwell, D’Andre Swift, Rashad Penny, Boston Scott
Miles Sanders left in free agency in the off-season so the Eagles have a fresh-looking backroom. Janewell is among the most frequent returnees but he’s also joined by Scott, Swift, and Penny. They’re going to use a kind of back-through-committee approach. While fans were excited to see Trey Sermon in this pre-season, he didn’t do enough to make the roster. There’s a good chance we’ll see Sermon on the practice squad if he clears waivers.
Receivers: (4) AJ Brown, Devonta Smith, Kewes Watkins, Olamide Zakios
The Eagles gave up their best returner Britain Kofi, who suffered a hamstring injury during training camp. Kofi wasn’t made to the preliminary roster in 2022 either, but ended up as a punt returner on the practice squad. They also waived Devon Allen and Joseph Ngata and cut Greg Ward Jr. , leaving them with only four receivers on the initial 53-man roster. It is important to note that this is only the initial 53.
TIGHT END: (4) Dallas Goodert, Jack Stoll, Grant Calcaterra, Albert Okwegbonam
Just when it looked like the Eagles were holding back a tough triple-double from the 2022 season, they made the trade. The Eagles traded for Okwuegbunam, who was expected to be waived by the Broncos. They reportedly traded a 2025 sixth-round pick and got a seventh-place finish in the deal with Denver. Goedert is already one of the best tight ends in the NFL and the Eagles seemed comfortable with Stoll and Calcaterra behind him. Stoll is known for his blocking ability and Calcaterra for his ability to hold the ball, but both have made strides in the area where it is lacking.
The Eagles cut veteran Dan Arnold and gave up Tyree Jackson and Brady Russell this week. One or two of these guys could make it back to the coaching staff.
Offensive line: (9) Jordan Milata, Landon Dickerson, Jason Kelsey, Cam Jurgens, Lyn Johnson, Tyler Steen, Jack Driscoll, Fred Johnson, Sawa Obita.
Obviously, the Eagles were going to keep their top five starters and pick sixes going into the third round. Then Fred Johnson secured his spot on the roster and the two-year deal he signed just before the third preseason game, and the Eagles still appreciated Driscoll’s versatility. Opeta made the list on Josh Sales. The Eagles kept 10 offensive linemen to their initial 53-man roster last year. And nine this season.
Defensive Tackle: (7) Fletcher Cox, Milton Williams, Jordan Davis, Jalen Carter, Marlton Tupolo, Moro Ojumo, Kentavius Street.
The Eagles lost Pro Bowler Javon Hargrave in free agency but still had a deep unit after returning Cox and drafting Carter in the first round. Add them to Williams and Davis and this unit looks pretty solid. At the back end of the center, the Eagles held at least a set through this preliminary roster.
The Hasty Edge: (6) Hasson Reddick, Josh Sweet, Brandon Graham, Nolan Smith, Derek Barnett, Patrick Johnson
While Reddick recently underwent thumb surgery, he’s expected to play Week 1, leading a deep pool of rushers in 2023. Another first baseman, Sweat, also returns, as does Graham. The Eagles then drafted Smith with the 30th pick in the draft. The Eagles waived Kieron Johnson, who could return to the practice squad. Barnett made the initial 53-man squad after reports that his agent was looking at a potential deal to get more playing time for Barnett in 2023.
Full-back: (3) Nakobe Dean, Zack Cunningham, Christian Ellis
This situation has been a question mark for most of the offseason and the Eagles have only held three. We all knew Dean was the best full-back but the other positions were very questionable. Cunningham was signed on August 6 and continued after Miles Jack retired. Cunningham has earned himself a spot on the list and is very likely to be the starter of the party. Nicolas Moreau, who started camp as the favorite to be a regular starter, was released. The Eagles lost special team Shaun Bradley to a torn Achilles tendon this pre-season. He’s on infrared.
Cornerback: (7) Darius Slay, James Bradbury, Avonte Maddox, Josh Jobe, Kelly Ringo, Eli Rix, Mario Godrich
After an interesting break, the Eagles have returned to their first three players – Sly, Bradbury and Maddox – for a second season together. Next, Jobe is the MVP outside reserve and Ringo is a developmental cornerback that the team drafted this spring. The Eagles also chose to retain UDFA Eli Ricks from Alabama. Rex had a nice pre-season. They also kept Goodrich as a backup nickel linebacker.
Note: The Eagles lost backup/Special Teams cornerback Zeke McPherson to a torn Achilles tendon in this pre-season; He’s on infrared.
Safety: (4) Reed Blankenship, Justin Evans, Sydney Brown, Terrell Edmonds
Like the linebacker, the Eagles have lost both of their starting safeties as of the 2022 season and have had to rebuild. One of those spots has always been reserved for Red Blankenship, who had a massive training camp. after that? The Eagles held three more, but not Kevon Wallace. The Eagles released their former fourth-round pick Wallace, who had a nice summer getting some first-team reps but was entering the final year of his rookie contract.
Specialists: (2) Jake Elliott, Rick Lovato
a surprise! The Eagles cut punter Arryn Siposs and are now looking to replace him. Siposs has improved in 2022 but has remained inconsistent. Although he outlasted Ty Zentner in camp, the Eagles decided to cut him out on Tuesday. The other two were list locks.
Subscribe to Eagle Eye wherever you get your podcasts:
Apple Podcast | Youtube music | Spotify | stitch | Art19 | RSS feed | Watch on YouTube
“Typical food guru. Problem solver. Devoted beer practitioner. Professional reader. Baconaholic.”