Eagles 53-man Roster Projection Ahead Of 2025 Final Cuts

Eagles 53-man roster projection ahead of 2025 final cuts originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

The Eagles had 16 training camp practices and three preseason games so it’s time for the tough decisions.

The 90-man roster must be trimmed to 53 players by the NFL’s 4 p.m. deadline on Tuesday.

Here’s my final 53-man roster projection for 2025:

Quarterback (3): Jalen Hurts, Tanner McKee, Kyle McCord

Early in training camp, Dorian Thompson-Robinson was actually ahead of Kyle McCord, which would have led to a tough decision. But McCord eventually pulled out in front and he was likely going to stick either way. McCord didn’t have a strong preseason but unless the Eagles find a different QB3 elsewhere, the draft pick stays.

Out: Dorian Thompson Robinson

Running back (4): Saquon Barkley, Will Shipley, A.J. Dillon, Ben VanSumeren

This is really three running backs and a fullback in Ben VanSumeren. Could the Eagles keep an extra running back? Maybe. The top candidate would be UDFA Montrell Johnson, who played well on Friday night, but it’s more likely they’ll stick with these three. VanSumeren isn’t a lock but he’s the only fullback on the roster and is a big special teams contributor.

Out: Montrell Johnson, Keilan Robinson, ShunDerrick Powell

Receiver (5): A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, Jahan Dotson, John Metchie III, Darius Cooper

A spot opened up late because of the unfortunate injuries suffered by Johnny Wilson during the week. The top three of A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith and Jahan Dotson are locks. The Eagles didn’t trade for John Metchie just to cut him, so he stays too. Then it comes down to Darius Cooper and Ainias Smith. It’s possible just one makes the team and I’m giving the nod to Cooper. When I left MetLife Stadium, I had Smith on my roster but changed my mind on the drive home.

Out: Ainias Smith, Terrace Marshall, Avery Williams, Taylor Morin, Elijah Cooks, Ife Adeyi
IR: Johnny Wilson

Tight end (3): Dallas Goedert, Grant Calcaterra, Kylen Granson

Both Dallas Goedert and Grant Calcaterra are locks for the roster. The real question is whether or not the Eagles keep three tight ends on the roster. They didn’t last year. If they do this year, it will be either Kylen Granson or E.J. Jenkins. Granson did enough good things this training camp and offers enough on special teams to keep.

Out: E.J. Jenkins, Nick Muse, Cameron Latu

Offensive line (10): Jordan Mailata, Landon Dickerson, Cam Jurgens, Tyler Steen, Lane Johnson, Matt Pryor, Brett Toth, Darian Kinnard, Drew Kendall, Myles Hinton

The starters are obviously set. While Matt Pryor hasn’t had a great summer, he seems like the sixth offensive lineman right now and Brett Toth has been getting first-team reps in place of the injured Landon Dickerson. Darian Kinnard is a valuable and versatile piece. And two of the three rookies stay. Kendall Lamm was signed to be the veteran swing tackle but I just don’t see it. Cameron Williams needs more time to develop. We just never saw much from Kenyon Green this summer. And Trevor Keegan just misses the cut too.

Out: Kendall Lamm, Cameron Williams, Kenyon Green, Trevor Keegan, Hollin Pierce, Laekin Vakalahi

Defensive tackle (6): Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis, Moro Ojomo, Ty Robinson, Byron Young, Gabe Hall

The top four are locks and are expected to be in the rotation in 2025. That last spot could come down to Gabe Hall vs. Byron Young. They’re two different types of players and both were here last season. Ultimately, I couldn’t decide and kept them both. The Eagles kept six defensive tackles on their initial roster in 2024 too, so this isn’t a crazy idea.

Out: Jacob Sykes, Joe Evans, Justin Rogers

Edge (5): Nolan Smith, Jalyx Hunt, Josh Uche, Azeez Ojulari, Patrick Johnson

The only locks in this group are Nolan Smith and Jalyx Hunt. After that, I kept Josh Uche and Azeez Ojulari, the two veterans signed in March. Uche outperformed Ojulari this summer but Ojulari has been productive in his NFL career. That last spot came down to Patrick Johnson vs. Ogbo Okoronkwo. I gave the nod to the better special teams player.

Out: Ogbo Okoronkwo, Ochaun Mathis, Antwaun Powell-Ryland, Jereme Robinson

Linebacker (4): Zack Baun, Jihaad Campbell, Jeremiah Trotter Jr., Smael Mondon

All four of these linebackers feel like locks. It looks like Zack Baun and Jihaad Campbell are going to be the starters in Week 1 but Jeremiah Trotter Jr. and Smael Mondon were good all summer too. Trotter and Mondon should provide quality depth. I actually gave a thought to keeping Lance Dixon, the UDFA out of Toledo but he can be a practice squad guy. Nakobe Dean begins the season on PUP as he continues to rehab from the torn patellar tendon that ended his playoffs in 2024.

Out: Lance Dixon, Dallas Gant, Chance Campbell 
PUP: Nakobe Dean

Cornerback (6): Quinyon Mitchell, Cooper DeJean, Mac McWilliams, Adoree’ Jackson, Kelee Ringo, Jakorian Bennett

There were a wide range out outcomes for Adoree’ Jackson. Before training camp, you could have convinced me he wasn’t going to make the team but now they might need him to start in Week 1. Eventually, if another player overtakes him, Jackson could become expendable. The tough cut here is Eli Ricks, who has been with the team a couple seasons.

Out: Eli Ricks, Parry Nickerson, Brandon Johnson, A.J. Woods, Tariq Castro-Fields

Safety (4): Reed Blankenship, Sydney Brown, Andrew Mukuba, Tristin McCollum

I almost went a little heavy at safety because Andre Sam is a player worth keeping. Sam at times this training camp was pushing McCollum and he’s a good special teams player. But I think you can get Sam through waivers and back to the practice squad.

Out: Andre Sam, Maxen Hook, Lewis Cine

Specialists (3): Jake Elliott, Braden Mann, Charley Hughlett

During training camp, Hughlett dealt with a neck injury and the Eagles even brought in another long snapper. But Hughlett healed up and these three had no other competition.