Eagles training camp: Marquise Goodwin, Rasul Douglas among 35 players on roster bubble

[UK_EaglesFan89]

Eagles training camp: Marquise Goodwin, Rasul Douglas among 35 players on roster bubble

 

The Eagles have quite a few roster spots to figure out entering training camp later this month.

Following the team’s offseason youth movement, the Eagles also need to determine a handful of starting jobs as well.

In Part 2 of our roster breakdown series, we take a look at the players on the roster bubble entering training camp. Positions like running back, linebacker and defensive back have wide fields of competition this summer.

LPart 1: Long Shots

Here are the 35 players on the roster bubble entering Eagles training camp:

1. RB Corey Clement: The Eagles re-signed the oft-injured running back to a veteran minimum contract this offseason. If he can stay healthy, the Super Bowl LII hero should stick to the roster as the third or fourth running back.

2. RB Mike Warren: The undrafted rookie should have a real shot at earning the team’s fourth running back job. With only six players battling at the position, Warren could get a sizable opportunity in this battle.

3. RB Elijah Holyfield: While he’s never played a meaningful snap in the NFL, the Eagles have liked Holyfield since the 2018 offseason. He should have an even shot with Warren and Adrian Killins entering camp.

4. RB Adrian Killins: The undrafted rookie will look to fill the gadget void in the Eagles’ backfield. If he can utilize his speed as a dual-threat back, he will have a strong case to beat out Holyfield and Warren.

5. WR Alshon Jeffery: Can the Eagles find a trade partner for Jeffery’s awful contract? If not, will he start the season on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list due to his surgically repaired foot? There are a lot more questions than answers with Jeffery at this point in the offseason.

6. WR Marquise Goodwin: While he took a pay cut to come to Philadelphia, Goodwin isn’t a lock to make the roster. He needs to stay healthy and make the most of his practice reps to earn a spot over John Hightower and Quez Watkins.

P7. WR Greg Ward: Ward has only played major snaps in a handful of games, so he still needs to earn his job this offseason. He will probably be on the active roster this year, but to earn the starting slot job, he will have to outproduce Goodwin, Hightower and Watkins.

8. WR John Hightower: The Eagles selected Hightower in the fifth round of April’s draft. The rookie is likely to make the roster, but he still needs to show he can make a difference on special teams and in package roles.

9. WR Quez Watkins: The rookie was selected in the sixth round in April. He has to show he can get off press coverage at the NFL level. The Eagles may also try to use him in the slot.

10. WR Rob Davis: Unlike Deontay Burnett, who was on the long shot list, Davis plays the X receiver position, which is lacking in depth. If Jeffery (foot) starts the season on the PUP list, last year’s second-round pick, J.J. Arcega-Whiteside, would be the only true lock at the spot. Davis could sneak onto the roster if he outperforms Watkins and Hightower in training camp.

11. TE Alex Ellis: The well-traveled tight end earned an early call-up from the practice squad last season due to a strong preseason last summer. However, he may not get preseason reps this year because of the coronavirus potentially wiping out the exhibition slate.

12. TE Josh Perkins: The veteran tight end earned some late-season playing time due to his versatility last year. His ability to play tight end and wide receiver could save the Eagles a roster spot on offense.

13. TE Noah Togiai: The undrafted rookie is on the bubble due to the lack of depth at the position entering training camp. A former two-sport athlete at Oregon State, Togiai will look to use his athleticism to his advantage.

14. C/G Nate Herbig: With Brandon Brooks headed to injured reserve this summer, Herbig may have a shot at replacing him. While he’s not a lock to make the roster, the Eagles’ staff likes him a lot.

L15. C Luke Juriga: The undrafted rookie was given a nice bonus to compete to be Jason Kelce’s backup. Herbig and Juriga are probably competing for one spot.

16. OT Jordan Mailata: It’s "now or never” time for the Australian lineman. He has yet to play in a meaningful football game. If the preseason gets wiped out, Mailata might need to serve as the Eagles’ swing tackle with just a few exhibition games to his name.

17. G Sua Opeta: The second-year lineman was able to sneak onto the Eagles’ main roster after spending most of his rookie season on the practice squad. He may need to battle at the swing tackle spot to earn a job this offseason.

18. OT Prince Tega Wanogho: The sixth-round pick is coming off meniscus surgery. Depending on his recovery timeline, he may start the season on the PUP list. If he is ready to compete during training camp, he could be the dark horse for the swing tackle job.

19. DE/LB Genard Avery: The hybrid pass rusher didn’t offer a consistent impact following his arrival in a trade deadline deal last year. However, the Eagles traded a 2021 fourth-round pick to acquire Avery, so the front office won’t give up on him quickly. He is competing with Shareef Miller, Joe Ostman and rookie Casey Toohill for playing time.

20. DE Shareef Miller: Miller is probably safe from the chopping block heading into his second training camp. The Eagles knew he was a project when they selected him in the fourth-round last year. That said, he can’t afford to be outdueled by Avery or Toohill this summer.

21. DE Casey Toohill: The rookie has more experience as a down lineman than advertised. An athletic pass rusher, Toohill should fit in well with the Wide-9 front that the Eagles use. He will need to force the Eagles to keep six defensive ends to make the roster.

22. DT Bruce Hector: The former undrafted lineman has been able to stick around in Philadelphia for two seasons, but this may be his final test. He has an uphill battle with Fletcher Cox, Javon Hargrave, Malik Jackson and Hassan Ridgeway ahead of him on the depth chart.

23. DT Hassan Ridgeway: While the Eagles rushed to re-sign Ridgeway on the first day of free agency, he still shouldn’t be considered a lock to make the roster. That said, he played well when given the opportunity last year, and was an instant hit with defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz. He is an upper-echelon bubble player, similar to Ward and Goodwin.

24. DT Anthony Rush: The second-year lineman had some strong moments during his rookie season. He will need to expand on that performance to stick around for another year.

25. LB Shaun Bradley: The sixth-round pick may need to spend some time on the practice squad before receiving regular-season playing time. The Eagles may only keep five linebackers on the active roster.

26. LB Jatavis Brown: Signed to a veteran-minimum contract in free agency, Brown needs to show he is more than just a special teams ace. He has impressive speed at the linebacker position, which could help him nab a starting spot.

27. LB Duke Riley: The returning special teams captain seems like a good bet to make the final roster. However, he needs to show he can add value on defense to have a legitimate role this season.

28. LB Alex Singleton: With the arrivals of Brown and third-round pick Davion Taylor, Singleton is once again fighting for a job. He should have a better shot at making the initial roster this offseason.

29. CB Sidney Jones: The former second-round pick has been working to improve his game throughout the offseason. He still needs to stand out during training camp to earn a key role with the Eagles. He could be trade bait during final cuts.

30. CB Rasul Douglas: While Douglas recently took a pay cut, he still needs to perform on the field to stick around in Philadelphia. Douglas has been working to improve his speed and technique in the offseason. Like Jones, Douglas could be a player-for-player trade chip during final cuts.

31. DB Grayland Arnold: The undrafted rookie has already been praised by Eagles general manager Howie Roseman this offseason. The Eagles really liked Arnold’s versatility, which should fit into their "positionless” secondary.

32. S Marcus Epps: The Eagles claimed Epps off waivers last season after showing interest in him during the pre-draft process. Epps will need to outperform Arnold and others to force the Eagles to keep 10 defensive backs this season.

33. CB Cre’Von LeBlanc: The battle between LeBlanc and Nickell Robey-Coleman for the starting nickel spot will be fun to follow. If LeBlanc loses the battle, and Avonte Maddox falters on the outside, the former could be jettisoned in September.

34. CB Trevor Williams: The journeyman cornerback will compete for a depth role in the Eagles’ secondary during training camp. He could be a dark horse to overtake Robey-Coleman and/or LeBlanc in the nickel spot.

35. CB Craig James: A special teams standout last season, James needs to bring that same prowess into training camp. James will need to fend off Williams, Epps and Arnold to stick around.

https://www.nj.com/eagles/2020/07/eagles-roster-breakdown-marquise-goodwin-rasul-douglas-among-36-players-on-the-bubble.html

Goodwin makes it if he stays healthy. 

I don't think Ridgeway is on the bubble either. 

[nipples]

Ideally I hope Goodwin stays healthy, and still doesn’t make the team... because that means Hightower and Watkins have impressed the coaching staff enough. 

[UK_EaglesFan89]

4 hours ago, nipples said:

Ideally I hope Goodwin stays healthy, and still doesn’t make the team... because that means Hightower and Watkins have impressed the coaching staff enough. 

I mean that's a fair comment. Though if Goodwin stays healthy then he makes this team. He's a good player when healthy. 

[NYEagle]

So basically half the team is on the bubble?  What another stupid article.....

[Rob331]

Hmmm - 90 players and 35 on the bubble - that leaves 53 when you put Brooks and Hall on injured reserve. 

The cap situation will save Jeffrey's bacon especially considering the debacle of a reduced cap next year. 

I think the article missed Elijah Riley DB form Army. At 6'1 and 4.49 he has the H-W-S to make it. He was a fierce tackler, good blitzer, and set a team record for pass break-ups. Sure he's an unknown undrafted longshot but he's my dark horse this year. 

The active roster will be 53 and there's a 12 man practice squad. Let's assume the Eagles keep all of their own on the practice squad which makes 65 and 25 cuts. Then with Jeffrey to PUP it's 24

So goodbye - 

WR - Green, Davis, Gibson, Burnett, Tate, Bailey

OL - Render, Opeta, Good-Jones

TE - Ellis

DT - Huggins, Hector, Rush

DE - Leo

LB - Singleton

DB - James, Arnold, Smith, Ford, Epps, Jaquet

Practice squad - Lauletta, Killens, Watkins, Juriga, Togai, Toohill, Olson, Bradley, Riley, Williams, Smith,  with 2 each game being activated to a new 55 man game day roster.