Two pillars of the Philadelphia culture have called it a career, as Jason Kelce and Fletcher Cox decided to retire.
The free agent period and NFL draft are Howie Roseman’s seasons, and the Eagles GM got off to a roaring start after inking running back Saquon Barkley to a three-year deal, signing improving pass rusher Bryce Huff and then bringing versatile defensive back C.J. Gardner-Johnson back into the fold.
Roseman then added talent to the backup quarterback position, acquiring Kenny Pickett from the Steelers for a 2024 third-round pick and two 2025 seventh-round picks.
With the second wave of free agency set to pick up steam, we’re looking at an early depth chart prediction for Philadelphia.
QB
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – OCTOBER 30: Kenny Pickett #8 of the Pittsburgh Steelers and Jalen Hurts #1 of the Philadelphia Eagles meet at mid-field after the game at Lincoln Financial Field on October 30, 2022 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
Hurts has done a good job of staying healthy, but things happen and if the Eagles need two or three games won, their new backup is fully capable.
RB
Mar 14, 2024; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley speaks during a press conference after signing with the team. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-USA TODAY Sports
Barkley is the biggest running back signing since DeMarco Murray and not since Ricky Watters could an Eagles running back add such a dual-threat ability to the offense.
Kenneth Gainwell is a solid backup option, while Tyrion Davis-Price is the biggest loser in the huge free agent acquisition of Barkley.
WR
Dec 31, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown (11) runs with the ball during the fourth quarter against the Arizona Cardinals at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
A.J. Brown
Joseph Ngata
Shaquan Davis
WR
Jan 15, 2024; Tampa, Florida, USA; Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith (6) runs the ball against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first half of a 2024 NFC wild card game at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports
Starter–DeVonta Smith
2nd–Jacob Harris
3rd–Austin Watkins Jr.
WR
Dec 25, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Britain Covey (18) returns a punt against the New York Giants during the first quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 15, 2024; Tampa, Florida, USA; Philadelphia Eagles tight end Dallas Goedert (88) scores a touchdown against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after a reception during the first half of a 2024 NFC wild card game at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports
Starter–Dallas Goedert
2nd–Grant Calcaterra
3rd–Albert Okwuegbunam Jr.
4th–Noah Togiai
LT
Oct 22, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles offensive tackle Jordan Mailata (68) against the Miami Dolphins at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
Starter–Jordan Mailata
2nd–Fred Johnson
3rd-Le’Raven Clark
LG
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – OCTOBER 15: Jason Kelce #62 and Landon Dickerson #69 of the Philadelphia Eagles warms up before the game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on October 15, 2023 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Dustin Satloff/Getty Images)
Starter–Landon Dickerson
2nd–Matt Hennessy
3rd–Lecitus Smith
C
Dec 25, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles center Cam Jurgens (51) against the New York Giants at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
Cam Jurgens
Jason Poe
For the first time in 13 years, the Eagles will have a starting center not named Jason Kelce.
RG
Aug 3, 2023; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles guard Tyler Steen during practice at Novacare Complex. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Tyler Steen
Matt Hennessy
Lecitus Smith
RT
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – OCTOBER 22: Lane Johnson #65 of the Philadelphia Eagles looks on prior to a game against the Miami Dolphins at Lincoln Financial Field on October 22, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
Starter–Lane Johnson
2nd-Darian Kinnard
3rd–Brett Toth
DE
Mar 14, 2024; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Bryce Huff speaks during a press conference after signing with the team. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-USA TODAY Sports
Starter–Bryce Huff
2nd–Brandon Graham
DT
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – DECEMBER 18: Jalen Carter #98 of the Philadelphia Eagles warms up before a game against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field on December 18, 2023 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
Starter–Jalen Carter
2nd–Marlon Tuipulotu
3rd–Noah Elliss
4th–Thomas Booker IV
DT
Nov 26, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) scrambles away from Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Jordan Davis (90) during overtime at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
Jordan Davis
Milton Williams
Moro Ojomo
DE
Oct 22, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Josh Sweat (94) reacts to his sack during the fourth quarter against the Miami Dolphins at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Starter–Josh Sweat
2nd–Tarron Jackson
SAM LB
Nov 26, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Haason Reddick (7) sacks Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) during the second quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Starter–Haason Reddick
2nd–Nolan Smith
3rd–Julian Okwara
4th–Patrick Johnson
The Eagles don’t have to trade Haason Reddick and with Bryce Huff listed as a defensive end, there’s enough room for a deep rotation of pass rushers.
LB
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – NOVEMBER 05: Nakobe Dean #17 of the Philadelphia Eagles reacts during the second quarter in the game against the Dallas Cowboys at Lincoln Financial Field on November 05, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
Starter–Nakobe Dean
2nd–Zach Baun
3rd–Terrell Lewis
LB
Dec 24, 2023; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Devin White (45) celebrates a sack against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Reper-USA TODAY Sports
Starter–Devin White
2nd–Zack Baun
3rd-Ben VanSumeren
4th–Brandon Smith
White was a unique signing for the Eagles, and if he can return to form, he and Zach Baun offer a pair of sideline-to-sideline linebackers opposite Nakobe Dean.
CB
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – NOVEMBER 26: Darius Slay #2 of the Philadelphia Eagles reacts during the first half of the game against the Buffalo Bills at Lincoln Financial Field on November 26, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
Jan 15, 2024; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Rachaad White (1) runs the ball as Philadelphia Eagles cornerback James Bradberry (24) defends during the first half of a 2024 NFC wild card game at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-USA TODAY Sports
For now, James Bradberry is in the Eagles’ plans, but Isaiah Rodgers is the player to watch at the outside cornerback spot opposite Darius Slay. Kelee Ringo saw significant snaps down the stretch in 2023 and will be a crucial player to watch.
Slot CB
Aug 17, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Zech McPhearson (27) is helped off the field with an injury against the Cleveland Browns during the second quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
Philadelphia has options in the slot after Avonte Maddox was released, and he could still return at a reduced rate.
S
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – JANUARY 07: Reed Blankenship #32 of the Philadelphia Eagles celebrates an interception with Eli Ricks #39 during the second quarter in the game against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium on January 07, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
Starter–Reed Blankenship
2nd–Sydney Brown
3rd-Mehki Garner
Blankenship returns to the lineup as a proven starter, while Brown will work to rehab his torn ACL in time for training camp. Philadelphia could still look to add Justin Simmons via free agency or a talented prospect in the draft.
S
PHILADELPHIA, PA – JANUARY 21: C.J. Gardner-Johnson #23 of the Philadelphia Eagles reacts against the New York Giants during the NFC Divisional Playoff game at Lincoln Financial Field on January 21, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
Starter-C.J. Gardner-Johnson
2nd-Sydney Brown
3rd–Tristin McCollum
Gardner-Johnson and his high-energy approach to the game return just in time for Vic Fangio to turn him into the ultimate hybrid weapon (STAR) who can play in the slot, in the box, or as a deep ball hawk.
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