28 Players that are on the Eagles roster bubble

[time2rock]

28 Players that are on the Eagles roster bubble

 By Eliot Shorr-Parks

June 2, 20219:24 am

 

Nick Sirianni has preached competition — and a look at the Eagles 2021 roster shows there is going to be plenty of it once practice begins.

Free agency, the NFL Draft and (for the most part) offseason workouts are in the books, which means while there could still potentially be one-or-two more significant additions, the roster for the most part is set for the 2021 season.

Unlike past seasons, when the Eagles were all-in trying to win and had a coaching staff that put plenty of "their guys” on the roster, the spots on this year’s 53-man roster seem as wide open as they have ever been.

In fact, in past seasons, the Eagles have gone into training camp with the locked up roster spots in the high 40’s. This year? While it is just a projection, the team’s locked up roster spots seem to sit at just 33.

So who has one of the few locked up roster spots — and be fighting to make the team?

Here is a breakdown of the entire roster, split up by locks, bubble and fighting.

Locks (32): Andrew Adams, Derek Barnett, Shaun Bradley, Brandon Brooks, Fletcher Cox, Jack Driscoll, Joe Flacco, Dallas Goedert, Brandon Graham, Javon Hargrave, Anthony Harris, Jalen Hurts, Lane Johnson, Jason Kelce, Avonte Maddox, Jordan Mailata, Matt Pryor, Jalen Reagor, Miles Sanders, Boston Scott, Isaac Seumalo, Alex Singleton, Darius Slay, Josh Sweat, K’von Wallace, Greg Ward, Eric Wilson, DeVonta Smith, Landon Dickerson, Milton Williams, Kenneth Gainwell, Zech McPhearson

Analysis: The locks on this roster are pretty much just the veterans who make a ton of money, young players who were just drafted in recent years and the high picks in 2021 draft. That’s it. There really aren’t that many players who are guaranteed to be on this team. Even the specialists — like kicker Jake Elliott and long snapper Rick Lovato — could be in trouble if they don’t have a strong camp.

If there was a surprise move involving a player in this group it will likely come via trade, whether it be Derek Barnett or Brandon Brooks. It would be surprising, however, if any of these players are outright cut in training camp. If one is, that likely means a younger player had a much, much better training camp than expected.

Bubble (28): J.J. Arcega-Whiteside, Grayland Arnold, Genard Avery, T.J. Edwards, Jake Elliott, Travis Fulgham, Nate Herbig, John Hightower, Jordan Howard, Jason Huntley, Michael Jaquet, Craig James, Luke Jurica, Rick Lovato, Sua Opeta, Hassan Ridgeway, Arryn Siposs, Davion Taylor, Brett Toth, Quez Watkins, Marlon Tuipulotu, Tarron Jackson, JaCoby Stevens, Patrick Johnson, Andre Dillard, Kerryon Johnson, Josiah Scott, Le’Raven Clark

Analysis: This list if full of players who were either contributors in 2020 or were expected to contribute.

After seeing the Eagles full-team workout, and how they lined up during warmups, I moved Dillard from a lock to on the bubble. Dillard was behind Mailata during warmups, and although the Eagles probably won’t outright cut him, a trade is very possible if he doesn’t win the job.

Of all the players on this list, it will be most interesting to watch Quez Watkins, John Hightower, J.J. Arcega-Whiteside and Travis Fulgham battle it out for roster spots. The Eagles drafted only one receiver in 2021, and while they reportedly did sign a few UDFAs, Watkins, Hightower, Arcega-Whiteside and Fulgham all should get a fair chance to make the team. It wouldn’t be surprising if all four made it — but with a new coaching staff, it also wouldn’t be a shock if only one did.

Although they could be better than most expect in 2021, the Eagles are still in the first year of a rebuild, and it will be interesting to see how that impacts their roster decisions.

Players they just drafted — like Tuipulotu, Jackson, Steven and Johnson — should be given not only a chance to make the team, but a chance to play. Cutting guys like Tuipulotu in favor of veterans like Ridgeway wouldn’t make a ton of sense, but we have seen the Eagles prioritize veterans over youth in the past. Hopefully that changes this season.

Fighting (20): Hakeem Butler, Jason Croom, Marcus Epps, Lavert Hill, Elijah Holyfield, Tyree Jackson, Adrian Killins, Matt Leo, T.Y. McGill, Joe Ostman, Ross Pierschbacher, Elijah Riley, Keyvon Seymour, Rashad Smith, Khalil Tate, Shakial Taylor, Raequan Williams, Caleb Wilson

Analysis: Anything is possible, but these players are going to face an uphill battle to make the team. The good news for the players fighting for a roster spot is that they do have a brand-new coaching staff — meaning in theory it is a clean-slate walking into training camp.

Not Listed: Zach Ertz, Rodney McLeod

Analysis: Two of the most important players on the Eagles over the past few seasons, Ertz and McLeod now find themselves on the outside looking in. It seems to be a matter of when, not if, Ertz is either traded or released. McLeod will be on the team in 2021, but is likely to start the season on the PUP as he recovers from a torn ACL. Either way, neither Ertz or McLeod will be taking up a roster spot in Week 1.

https://www.audacy.com/94wip/sports/eagles/28-players-that-are-on-the-eagles-roster-bubble?fbclid=IwAR07SIv1JvKYgl27978RH1ct7zQzFRYzh0sGrnKZRo1Of4x9HbmvVAS39ss

 

 

[UK_EaglesFan89]

Matt Pryor is not a lock, no chance. 

[time2rock]

2 hours ago, UK_EaglesFan89 said:

Matt Pryor is not a lock, no chance. 

Sure he is ... a lock to get cut, that is.  

Seriousoy though, I agree.  And I don’t think Scott or Ward are locks either.  Good probability they make it but to say they are locks is a bit of a stretch.  

[Cochis_Calhoun]

I would guess Herbig would beat out Pryor at camp for back up guard.

The TE's are interesting, I think (hope) they re-sign Rodgers and then either Ertz plays a last season as #TE3 or he's cut and they try and sign someone like Eifert or Reed for a cheap deal, one of Croom, Butler or Jackson makes the roster as 4th TE (although we did carry 5 last year).

I'd be amazed if Sirianni decided to cut Lovato and Elliott in his first pre season, he's got enough on his plate installing a new offense and defense without dicking around with Special Teams if he doesn't have to, so unless Elliott is literally shanking chip shots or Lovato blacks Sirianni's eye with a wild snap in camp they'll make the roster. I imagine they'll bring in a few punters to compete with Siposs but ex Aussie Rules guys are usually decent punters.

[UK_EaglesFan89]

2 hours ago, time2rock said:

Sure he is ... a lock to get cut, that is.  

Seriousoy though, I agree.  And I don’t think Scott or Ward are locks either.  Good probability they make it but to say they are locks is a bit of a stretch.  

No I agree. If the other WRs show sufficient versatility to play in the slot then Ward is absolutely on the bubble. 

[YubaEagle]

10 hours ago, UK_EaglesFan89 said:

Matt Pryor is not a lock, no chance. 

😄 That name popped out to me like it was highlighted on the list. I just shook my head and said "No f'in way is he a lock"

[ManchesterEagle]

On 6/7/2021 at 9:03 AM, UK_EaglesFan89 said:

Matt Pryor is not a lock, no chance. 

 

On 6/7/2021 at 11:33 AM, time2rock said:

Sure he is ... a lock to get cut, that is.  

Seriousoy though, I agree.  And I don’t think Scott or Ward are locks either.  Good probability they make it but to say they are locks is a bit of a stretch.  

Agreed on Pryor!

I just can’t see Dillard not being on the team. Still under cheap control and Mailata and Johnson have both had a lot of injury issues. We would be trading while his value is low as well.

[time2rock]

5 hours ago, ManchesterEagle said:

I just can’t see Dillard not being on the team. Still under cheap control and Mailata and Johnson have both had a lot of injury issues. We would be trading while his value is low as well.

Agreed.  Plus I doubt Howie wants to concede having made another failed 1st rd pick.  

[UK_EaglesFan89]

5 hours ago, ManchesterEagle said:

 

Agreed on Pryor!

I just can’t see Dillard not being on the team. Still under cheap control and Mailata and Johnson have both had a lot of injury issues. We would be trading while his value is low as well.

 

1 minute ago, time2rock said:

Agreed.  Plus I doubt Howie wants to concede having made another failed 1st rd pick.  

No doubt. Plus I'm not sure Dillard has a great deal of trade value? So he has more value on this team then he does being traded. They still need depth.

[SPIDER-MAN]

I'd be shocked if Arcega-Whiteside was cut. The Eagles try and squeeze every last drop out of guys they have invested higher picks in.

[jsdarkstar]

Ertz is on the team until the facts prove otherwise. I highly doubt they just release him.