Eagles announce initial 53-man roster for 2024 season originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia
The Eagles have announced their initial roster of 53 players for the 2024 season.
After 16 training camp practices and three preseason games, the Eagles have trimmed their 91-man roster to 53 players by Tuesday’s 4 p.m. deadline, and they’ve gone heavy on defense.
It is important to note that this is not a final 53-man squad, just an initial one. There will be more changes throughout the season.
But this is their premise:
Quarterback (3): Jalen Hurts, Kenny Pickett, Tanner McKee
Some teams opt to keep just two quarterbacks on their 53-man roster, but the Eagles were always going to keep those three. Jalen Hurts is entering his fifth NFL season and had a great training camp in Kellen Moore’s offense. The Eagles traded Kenny Pickett this offseason to be their backup. You can argue that Tanner McKee outsold Pickett this summer, but they’re both on the roster.
Walking back (3): Saquon Barkley, Kenny Gainwell, Will Shipley
The Eagles enter this season with Saquon Barkley as their top running back after signing the free agent running back to a three-year, $37.75 million contract. The Eagles spent a lot of money on Barkley, and he should play a significant amount in 2024 if he stays healthy. But Kenny Gainwell and draft pick Will Shipley also have roles.
Receiver (5): AJ Brown, DeVonta Smith, Jahan Dotson, Britain Covey, Johnny Wilson
The Eagles found their third receiver when they traded Jahan Dotson last week. He’ll round out the top three with AJ Brown and DeVonta Smith to form one of the best trios in the entire NFL. The Eagles got a little more creative by placing rookie Ainias Smith on IR, designated to return from an injury he suffered in the final preseason game. That saved a roster spot to use elsewhere. Veterans Parris Campbell and Josh Ross were also waived.
Tight end (2): Dallas Goedert, Grant Calcaterra
The Eagles opted to keep just two tight ends on their original roster. Their third-best tight end EJ Jenkins was cut on Tuesday and Albert Okwuegbunam was placed on IR. The Eagles will now go through the waiver wire and see what else is out there. They want to have three tight ends on game days, otherwise they won’t have any plays in 13 personnel.
Offensive line (9): Lane Johnson, Landon Dickerson, Cam Jurgens, Mekhi Becton, Lane Johnson, Tyler Steen, Fred Johnson, Trevor Keegan, Darian Kinnard
The five starters plus four backups. Mekhi Becton went from backup to starting right guard this summer. He took over for Tyler Steen after Steen suffered an ankle injury and Becton never gave up. Even with Jason Kelce’s retirement, the Eagles should still have one of the better offensive lines in the league. Trevor Keegan made the cut, but sixth-round pick Dylan McMahon did not. The Eagles kept Darian Kinnard over him.
Defensive Tackle (6): Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis, Milton Williams, Moro Ojomo, Marlon Tuipulotu, Thomas Booker
The two guys from Georgia (Jalen Carter and Jordan Davis) will be the centerpiece of Vic Fangio’s defense. Expectations couldn’t be higher for Carter in Year 2, but this is a defining season for Davis in Year 3. Milton Williams is also a starter if the Eagles field a five-man front. The Eagles retained Thomas Booker after a good camp.
Edge rusher (6): Josh Sweat, Bryce Huff, Brandon Graham, Nolan Smith, Jalyx Hunt, Patrick Johnson
The Eagles traded Haason Reddick in the offseason and essentially replaced him with Bryce Huff, who signed a three-year, $51 million contract. Huff will take on a much larger role with the Eagles than he ever had with the Jets. Huff and Josh Sweat will be the starters, but Brandon Graham and Nolan Smith are next in the rotation. Patrick Johnson earned his spot on the roster and will be a core player on special teams.
Linebacker (5): Devin White, Zack Baun, Nakobe Dean, Jeremiah Trotter Jr., Ben VanSumeren
The Eagles really mixed and matched with their linebackers over the summer. Devin White and Zack Baun got the most first-team reps, but Nakobe Dean had a great training camp and Jeremiah Trotter Jr. also got some first-team reps. While it’s unclear who will play in 2024, this group looks better than the one they had to start 2023.
Corner defender (6): Darius Slay, Quinyon Mitchell, Isaiah Rodgers, Kelee Ringo, Cooper DeJean, Eli Ricks
Howie Roseman did an impressive job of turning this position around last year. The Eagles have a lot more talent in 2024 than they did a year ago. The Eagles’ starters are likely to be Darius Slay, Quinyon Mitchell and Isaiah Rodgers, but there is depth beyond that. The Eagles released special teamer Josh Jobe.
Safety (5): CJ Gardner-Johnson, Reed Blankenship, Avonte Maddox, James Bradberry, Tristin McCollum
The Eagles brought back CJ Gardner-Johnson this offseason, and he will take over as one of the starting safeties alongside Reed Blankenship. The position is currently a bit of a stretch, as Sydney Brown will begin the season at PUP. James Bradberry is now listed after switching from corner to safety this offseason.
Specialists (3): Jake Elliott, Braden Mann, Rick Lovato
Last year, the Eagles kept only two specialists, still hoping for a new punter. In the end, it was Mann. These three worked very well together last year and will start the season together in 2024.
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