Figured I'd throw this in here since it could potentially impact the final 53.

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Tracker: Cuts around the NFL who could interest the Eagles

BY JIMMY KEMPSKI
PhillyVoice Staff

KIM KLEMENT NEITZEL/USA TODAY SPORTS

Braden Mann

The Philadelphia Eagles have a loaded roster and are therefore unlikely to make waiver claims in bulk on other teams' trash this year. They are also 31st on the waiver priority order, which means that even if they put claims in on players, the rest of the NFL (minus the Chiefs) would have to pass on them first.

If the Eagles were to add players, the following positions would make sense:

1. Punter: Arryn Siposs ain't it.
2. Linebacker depth: The Eagles should be happy with Zach Cunningham as their starter opposite Nakobe Dean after Cunningham had a good camp, but Christian Elliss is the only sure thing to make the roster otherwise.
3. Nose tackle: The Eagles have a lot of young, intriguing interior defensive linemen, but they don't really have a backup NT behind Jordan Davis.
4. Backup center: Cam Jurgens is the center of the future and Landon Dickerson can play there in a pinch, but the Eagles would also probably like to have a guy who can fill in directly from the bench.
5. Outside wide receiver: They're thin here, as Quez Watkins would be the first guy up should A.J. Brown or DeVonta Smith go down, and then the cupboard is bare thereafter.

gain, when punter tops the list, it's a pretty stacked roster. With those disclaimers out of the way, here are some players who could interest the Eagles. We'll continue to add to the below list as more cuts are made.

Punters

Before we get started on the punters, here's a handy graph showing punter EPA in 2022, via ThePuntRunts:

As you can see, Siposs is 21st on the list. He averaged 45.6 yards per punt, and a net of 38.6 yards per punt in 2022, but the overriding concern with him is that he has faltered in the playoffs each of the last two years. We looked as some of the other punter training camp battles around the league last week.

• P Pat O'Donnell (32): In a bit of a surprise result, O'Donnell was beaten out by second-year undrafted punter Daniel Whelan. O'Donnell finished 22nd in punter EPA in 2022, one spot behind Siposs. 45.1 career yards per punt average, 39.2 career net. 44.5 yards per punt in 2022, with a 38.5 net. He had two punts blocked. O'Donnell is a better "pin deep" punter than he is an "open field" punter, just like Siposs. He's also 32, so there should be no reasonable hope that he'll get markedly better. He is probably not an ideal option.

• P Corliss Waitman (28): The Pats added Waitman during free agency this offseason, in March, but he lost his competition to rookie sixth-round pick Bryce Baringer. Waitman punted for the Broncos last season, averaging 46.6 yards per punt, and a net average of 41.4 yards per punt. Again, Waitman's "open field" and "pin deep" effectiveness is similar to Siposs'. He has been on five different NFL teams, but has only been his team's "starting" punter for one season. Again, I'm not sure he's the answer.

There two other punting battles that are worth watching today:

1. Saints: Blake Gillikin vs. Lou Hedley
2. Steelers: Pressley Harvin III vs. Braden Mann

We covered Gilliken vs. Hedley in a little more depth here. We'll update when that battle is decided. 

Also, Adam Caplan pointed out a nugget that the Eagles attempted to claim Mann off of waivers in April. However, he was awarded to the Steelers, who also claimed him. Should the Steelers cut Mann, the Eagles could have interest.

Linebacker depth

• LB Christian Kirksey (30): Kirksey had 124 tackles, 3 sacks, 2 INTs, and 5 pass breakups on a bad Texans team a year ago. He has been a starter for almost the entirety of his NFL career, so he would have to be willing to play a backup and special teams role (and make very little money) for the Eagles to add him. Assuming he finds somewhere to play, Kirksey is entering his 10th season in the NFL, the bulk of which has been with dreadful teams. If he's looking to chase a ring, that's the only way I could squint and see a fit, but it feels unlikely.

Nose tackle

Linval Joseph is still a free agent. Otherwise, there are no obvious available players yet.

Backup center

No obvious available players yet.

Outside wide receiver

No obvious available players yet.

https://www.phillyvoice.com/tracker-cuts-around-nfl-who-could-interest-eagles-2023/

 

17 minutes ago, time2rock said:

Figured I'd throw this in here since it could potentially impact the final 53.

 

Writes an article titled 'Cuts around the NFL that could interest Eagles', lists 2 punters and one linebacker who he doesn't think will interest the Eagles, one guy who's a free agent and then everything else is 'no obvious players yet'.

Jimmy Kempski is stealing his salary, I've read more informed posts on here.

Shows a graph that has Siposs just about exactly at the midpoint, says he has to be replaced, and suggests a guy who’s almost at the bottom. Logical.

2 hours ago, time2rock said:

Figured I'd throw this in here since it could potentially impact the final 53.

 

They should be looking for a closer at the RB position, if they're not then we need a new GM.

9 minutes ago, EagleVA said:

They should be looking for a closer at the RB position, if they're not then we need a new GM.

His name is Penny... he's big and fast!  

Do they still call the cut guy 'The Turk'?

18 minutes ago, EagleVA said:

They should be looking for a closer at the RB position, if they're not then we need a new GM.

Last position of need right now. Swift is a #1. Healthy Penny is a #1. Gainwell is a #2. 

Just now, GoEagles614 said:

Last position of need right now. Swift is a #1. Healthy Penny is a #1. Gainwell is a #2. 

Problem is, none of them are a closer RB.

6 minutes ago, EagleVA said:

Problem is, none of them are a closer RB.

Wtf is that lol. 

35 minutes ago, EagleVA said:

Problem is, none of them are a closer RB.

 

29 minutes ago, GoEagles614 said:

Wtf is that lol. 

I'm guessing he means a big bruiser back to close out the game..what he will be pleasantly suprised is IF healthy both Swift snd Penny can punish a team. 

For the naysayers, this RB room is quite the upgrade from last season. Patience!

18 minutes ago, CheesesteakNBeer said:

 

I'm guessing he means a big bruiser back to close out the game..

You guess correct....that's your best defense, if they ain't got the ball they can't score, meanwhile, the clock's-a-ticking.

So I saw a tweet that said Covey, Allen, and Ward have been cut. 

Philadelphia Eagles to release Britain Covey ahead of roster deadline (usatoday.com)

1 hour ago, EagleVA said:

Problem is, none of them are a closer RB.

Penny runs with Power. 220+ 4.4 speed man come on
What 'closer' RB do you propose?

3 minutes ago, time2rock said:

Wow. I guess Covey and Allen make it to the PS.  Our STs are going to be interesting again.

Wouldn't be surprised if we went 26 on D and only 24 on O

In addition to Allen, Covey, Siposs, and Ward, also released were Josiah Scott, Tarron Jackson, and Brady Russell.  Post #1 updated.

10 more to go to reach 53.

1 minute ago, time2rock said:

In addition to Allen, Covey, Siposs, and Ward, also released were Josiah Scott, Tarron Jackson, and Brady Russell.  Post #1 updated.

10 more to go to reach 53.

Thanks for the math

3 minutes ago, time2rock said:

In addition to Allen, Covey, Siposs, and Ward, also released were Josiah Scott, Tarron Jackson, and Brady Russell.  Post #1 updated.

10 more to go to reach 53.

I think you're missing Good-Jones. Saw his name mentioned earlier as a cut.

Hope they don’t let Ricks dangle out there. He’ll be snatched up in a second. 

18 minutes ago, FranklinFldEBUpper said:

I think you're missing Good-Jones. Saw his name mentioned earlier as a cut.

I didn't see that on the tracker I've been following but in checking Wiki (for what that is worth) it does state he was waived on Aug 29.  Thanks.

EDIT:  and now he has been added to that tracker I have been following (added to post #1).

So now 9 to go.

I will not miss Covey

Just now, RUEagle said:

I will not miss Covey

You won't have to when he's on the PS :)

2 minutes ago, judunno said:

You won't have to when he's on the PS 🙂

Yeah since he has been nursing a hammy it makes perfect sense to cut him so as to be able to protect a more valuable player.  He'll surely clear waivers to be able to add him to the PS and can be called up later when healthy / as needed.