NFL rosters are always fluid, so things will change over the next week, even after the Eagles unveiled an initial 53-man roster at the deadline.
Philadelphia made some tough cuts, and went light at critical spots, choosing to release punter Arryn Siposs.
The team will watch the waiver wire, and construct the remaining roster and 16-man practice squad ahead of Thursday’s practice.
Here are ten takeaways from the 53-man roster with the moves now complete.
Eagles keep 3 quarterbacks
As expected, the Eagles have three quarterbacks on the 53-man roster, as sixth-round draft pick Tanner McKee earned a roster spot with a strong Training Camp and preseason.
Marcus Mariota will be the backup to All-Pro quarterback Jalen Hurts.
Trey Sermon is out
After weeks of speculations and rumors, Rashaad Penny, Kenneth Gainwell, D’Andre Swift and Boston Scott are the Eagles four running backs.
Trey Sermon had plenty of opportunity to snatch a spot away, but struggled to produce behind second and third team offensive line.
Penny has averaged 5.7 yards in his five-year career, while D’Andre Swift and Kenneth Gainwell are dynamic dual-threats.
Eagles 4-some
A.J. Brown
DeVonta Smith
Quez Watkins
Olamide Zaccheaus
After predicting that Philadelphia might carry five or six players at the position, Philadelphia jumped out the game with just four wide receivers in A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, Quez Watkins and Olamide Zaccheaus.
Even somewhat surprising, the Eagles cut Britian Covey, Devon Allen, and Joseph Ngata.
Arryn Siposs cut
After two-years of subpar production, Siposs is out as the Eagles punter. Philadelphia GM Howie Roseman explained the thought process.
“Well, a lot of these guys that we brought that we cut today, we’re interested in bringing back. We have a practice squad.” “We’ve talked about the roster being 69 guys as opposed to 53 and having flexibility in those spots. I think when you look at Sip [Siposs] obviously the season didn’t end for us the way that we wanted to, and he would say the same thing, but also have confidence in his abilities.”
“We’ll just see what happens here in the next 24 hours with him and a bunch of these other guys. You know, try to bring some of these guys back and give them a chance to continue to compete for spots.”
“We got the activations there on the practice squad as well for other guys too.”
SEC Flavor
A couple of guys transferred in, but the Eagles have six players from Alabama and six players from Georgia on the 53-man roster.
Eagles now have six former Alabama players on the roster:
– QB Jalen Hurts
– WR DeVonta Smith
– OL Landon Dickerson
– OL Tyler Steen
– CB Josh Jobe
– CB Eli Ricks— Josh Tolentino (@JCTSports) August 29, 2023
That’s 10% of the roster having championship and big-game pedigree.
Eli Ricks a gem
Ricks is probably one-year away from being able to efficiently contribute in the secondary, but Philadelphia couldn’t risk allowing the former Alabama cornerback to hit the waiver wire after a strong preseason.
Howie Roseman on Eli Ricks: "His work ethic, his character factor was really high. A great success story for him. He was a guy who thought he’d be a really high pick going into the year.
"He came in with the right attitude and we called him, and told him he was on the team." https://t.co/ZTEsn6g6hV
— Josh Tolentino (@JCTSports) August 29, 2023
Eagles acquire a tight end
We didn’t have Philadelphia keeping four tight ends, but the Eagles swung a late Tuesday afternoon trade and land Albert Okwuegbunam.
Grant Calcaterra
Dallas Goedert
Albert Okwuegbunam
Jack Stoll
A former fourth-round pick, Okwuegbunam adds athleticism, and has more production than Jack Stoll and Grant Calcaterra combined.
Eagles GM Howie Roseman talked abut that athleticism.
“Yeah, first thing you talk about Albert, you talk about the physical ability. He is 6’5″. He is almost 260 pounds. He runs a 4.4. He’s got a huge wing span. He has really good lower body flexibility for a big guy.”
“We had a chance to watch him together, and obviously Coach has had tremendous success with that position and some guys who look like this. So, bring him in here. He is 25 years old. We have some people in the building who were with Denver when they drafted him and give him an opportunity.”
In his first three seasons, Okwuegbunam posted 54 catches for 546 yards and four touchdowns.
Eagles elite at offensive line
Landon Dickerson
Jack Driscoll
Fred Johnson
Lane Johnson
Cam Jurgens
Jason Kelce
Jordan Mailata
Sua Opeta
Tyler Steen
The starting lineup could have any combination of three All-Pros and multiple Pro Bowlers with – Jordan Mailata at left tackle, Landon Dickerson at left guard, Jason Kelce at center, Cam Jurgens at right guard, and Lane Johnson at right tackle.
Philadelphia decided to keep nine players along the offensive line, and outside of Sua Opeta, every player is above average and would be a starter on another team.
Fred Johnson’s two year deal left no available roster spots with rookie Tyler Steen and Jack Driscoll as roster locks.
That left Sua Opeta to compete for the final spot, with Josh Sills getting cut.
Zach Cunningham snatched a spot
Zach Cunningham
Nakobe Dean
Christian Elliss
Nicholas Morrow chose the Eagles and a non-guaranteed deal with the idea that he’d start next to Nakobe Dean at linebacker.
After logging every snap in 2022, and leading the Bears in tackles, Morrow is out at the roster deadline, losing a battle with Christian Elliss and the late-arriving, Zach Cunningham.
Philadelphia GM Howie Roseman gave insight into the roster decision.
“I think when you talk about Zach Cunningham, obviously a productive player in the National Football League, and he came here a little bit late in camp and had an opportunity, and he continues to have an opportunity. I don’t know that it’s so much about what Nick did as opposed to being really heavy at some other positions here.”
“Again, as we look at the roster, we’re looking at it through the lens of having 69 guys and knowing that there’s some fluid processes on some players and some things. So, we’ll do whatever we can to put the best possible guys on the field for New England and through the rest of the season.”
Eagles lights out at Edge Rusher
Derek Barnett
Brandon Graham
Patrick Johnson
Haason Reddick
Nolan Smith
Josh Sweat
Philadelphia can break the 70 sack mark from 2022 if this talented group can stay healthy. There were no surprise additions or cuts as the Eagles have six edge rushers on the roster, with Derek Barnett, Brandon Graham and Josh Sweat as the only true defensive ends.
Patrick Johnson, Haason Reddick and Nolan Smith are listed as linebackers, but will rush the edge, and up the middle.
Defensive tackle improvment
Jalen Carter
Fletcher Cox
Jordan Davis
Moro Ojomo
Kentavius Street
Marlon Tuipulotu
Milton Williams
Philadelphia lost Javon Hargrave, Ndamukong Suh and Linval Joseph, and somehow improved at the position.
Kentavius Street and Moro Ojomo held strong all summer long despite talk of their demise.
Eagles heavy at cornerback
James Bradberry
Mario Goodrich
Josh Jobe
Avonte Maddox
Eli Ricks
Kelee Ringo
Darius Slay
With all eyes pointed towards the future, Philadelphia kept seven cornerbacks on the roster, with four being first or second year players.
Comeback story at safety
Reed Blankenship
Sydney Brown
Terrell Edmunds
Justin Evans
After initially looking like a player that might be one of the final cuts, Justin Evans is looking like he’ll start opposite Reed Blankenship at the safety position.
Philadelphia gave K’Von Wallace ample opportunity to make the roster, but went with Terrell Edmunds.
