The Eagles report for training camp today.

As Philadelphia prepares to kick things off, the organization’s brass has some tough decisions to make.

The deadline to cut the roster down to 53 players is at 4 p.m. on Aug. 27. But before things become official, I took a stab at projecting what the roster could look like ahead of Sept. 6th, when the Eagles travel to Sao Paulo, Brazil to take on the Green Bay Packers in week one of the 2024 NFL season.

With that, here is our first 53-man roster projection:

Quarterback (3): Jalen Hurts, Kenny Pickett, Tanner McKee

It’s pretty much a lock that the first two make the roster. Kenny Pickett, 26, has starting experience, and Philadelphia also traded their 2024 third round pick for him. The former first round pick will provide some insurance in the event that Jalen Hurts misses time.

It gets interesting looking elsewhere at the position. Philadelphia has been high on Tanner McKee as a developmental backup. But this off-season, the team brought in veteran Will Grier, who has experience in new offensive coordinator Kellen Moore’s system.

But the organization has invested time into McKee, who is younger and quite frankly more talented than the veteran Grier.

Running back (3): Saquon Barkley, Kenny Gainwell, Will Shipley

Barkley, Gainwell, and Shipley make up the Eagles running back room. Typically Philadelphia handles the position with a committee approach, but considering the fact that they signed Barkley to a 3-year, $37.75 million contract in the off-season, it’d make sense that they’d expect him to be the bell cow out of the backfield.

Gainwell and Shipley are great change of pace backs, who both add value as pass catchers.

It would make sense for Philadelphia to add some size at the position outside of Barkley, but initially they’ll likely keep three guys at the position.

Wide Receiver (6): A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, Parris Campbell, Britain Covey, Anias Smith, Johnny Wilson

After A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith, the conversation begins. Parris Campbell, has experience under Nick Sirianni and is the frontrunner at the third receiver spot at the moment.

Britain Covey offers special teams usage. Elsewhere, rookies Smith and Wilson both seem likely to make the roster. Smith due to his versatility and traits, and Wilson due to his size at 6-foot-6, and long catch radius.

The room lacks from a depth perspective, so there could be additional moves made depending on who becomes available.

Tight End (3): Dallas Goedert, C.J. Uzomah, Albert Okwuegbunam

Dallas Goedert is fully entrenched as the Eagles number one tight end. The team added C.J. Uzomah in the off-season and extended the contract of Albert Okwuegbunam (one-year, $1.35 million).

Uzomah has starting experience and will likely slot in as the number two tight end, which is an important role in Kellen Moore’s offense as his offenses typically rank among the league’s top utilizers in 12 personnel.

Grant Calcaterra could challenge Albert O for the third tight end spot, but considering Okwuegbunam’s upside as a pass catcher, I gave the nod to him.

Offensive Line (10): Jordan Mailata, Landon Dickerson, Cam Jurgens, Tyler Steen, Lane Johnson, Mekhi Becton, Trevor Keegan, Matt Hennessy, Dylan McMahon, Fred Johnson

The first six listed are all pretty much locks. Cam Jurgens is likely under the most pressure of any Eagles player in recent memory, as he slides over from right guard to center and takes over for Eagles’ legend Jason Kelce.

Tyler Steen will be engaged in a camp battle with Becton for the right guard spot. Elsewhere, the team added Matt Hennessy in free agency. Hennessy, who has 22 career starts under his belt, will provide nice depth on the interior.

Keegan and McMahon are both interesting developmental prospects and the last offensive tackle spot could go to either Johnson or former 5th round pick Darrian Kinnard. Johnson is the incumbent, so it made sense to give him the nod for now.

EDGE Rushers (5): Bryce Huff, Josh Sweat, Brandon Graham, Nolan Smith Jr., Jalyx Hunt

This one is pretty cut and dry.

The team signed Bryce Huff to take over for Haason Reddick, who is now in New York.

Josh Sweat is still one of the best pure pass rushers in the league and he’ll provide some nice veteran stability for the room.

It’s Brandon Graham’s fairwell tour.

Nolan Smith is primed for a big year, after being selected in the first round of the NFL draft last year.

Jalyx Hunt was one of the highest ceiling defensive players in the 2024 draft.

Defensive Tackle (5): Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis, Milton Williams, Moro Ojomo, Marlon Tuipulotu

It’s a new season in Philadelphia. The Fletcher Cox era is no more, and the Jalen Carter-Jordan Davis era is upon us. Carter and Davis will be key pieces for veteran Defensive Coordinator, Vic Fangio, as he installs his defense.

Milton Williams provides value as the third defensive tackle, and he’ll look to have his most productive NFL season in a contract year.

Ojomo and Tuipulotu provide some intriguing upside and depth to round out the room.

Linebacker (5): Devin White, Nakobe Dean, Zack Baun, Oren Burks, Jeremiah Trotter

The linebacker position might be the most interesting position group within the Philadelphia Eagles right now.

It’s essentially now or never for 3rd-year man Nakobe Dean, as he looks to establish some consistency from both a health and play standpoint. Dean is an incredibly smart football player, who’s athleticism pops when watching him. His only drawback, being he has struggled to stay healthy throughout his career.

The team added Devin White, Zack Baun, and Oren Burks in free agency. White is looking to re-establish himself as a player in the league after a less than stellar 2023 with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Zack Baun, who has spent time as an EDGE rusher during his career, seems like a lock to make the roster considering the reps he received in the spring and the fact that he was one of the first names mentioned when Vic Fangio addressed the position when he met with the media in May.

The team drafted Jeremiah Trotter in the 6th round of the draft. Trotter adds some intriguing athleticism and upside to the room.

Burks will likely compete with Ben Van Sumeren for special teams snaps. But Burks’ experience as not only a special teams contributor, but actual linebacker might give him the edge.

Cornerback (7): Darius Slay, Quinyon Mitchell, Cooper DeJean, Kelee Ringo, Isaiah Rogers, Tyler Hall, Josh Jobe

The most competition will be seen here. Slay, Mitchell, DeJean, and Ringo all seem like locks to make the roster. After those names, the competition heats up.

Isaiah Rodgers returns to football after a yearlong suspension for violating the league’s gambling policy. Rodgers looked like he didn’t miss a step, earning first and second team reps seemingly right out of the gate in the spring.

Tyler Hall signed with the Eagles in the off-season and brings some versatility (which Vic Fangio will value) as he can play both inside and outside corner, as well as the ability to play safety or cornerback.

Josh Jobe can impact special teams and play outside corner in a pinch, so I decided to give the final spot to him.

Elsewhere, Eli Ricks, Zech McPhearson, Mario Goodrich, Shon Stephens, and Parry Nickerson will contend for the final spot(s). 2-3 of them will likely be practice squad candidates.

Safety (3): C.J. Gardner-Johnson, Reed Blankenship, Avonte Maddox

The Eagles brought back C.J. Gardner-Johnson after he spent his 2023 in Detroit. He returns to Philadelphia as one of most versatile chess pieces in the NFL.

Reed Blankenship is entrenched as the starter opposite Gardner-Johnson and for good reason. Blankenship’s range and ball skills make him one of the more dependable players on the Eagles defense.

The team released Avonte Maddox in March, but brought him back in April. Maddox has spent his entire 6-year career with the Eagles and when he’s on the field, he’s generally been among the league’s best nickel corners. But that’s the issue, he’s rarely healthy enough to be on the field consistently. Maddox has missed 35 games in six seasons.

But Maddox does possess the one thing that Vic Fangio values the most in his defensive backs: versatility. He can play inside. He can play outside (at times depending on the matchup). He can also play safety, as he’s been cross training at the position in the spring and will likely spend most of his time there in training camp.

You may notice a name missing here: 2nd Year safety, Sydney Brown.

Brown will likely begin the season on the Physically unable to perform list as he works his way back from a torn ACL. Brown will undoubtedly re-join the 53 man roster at some point in the 2024 season though.

Special Teams (3): Jake Elliott, Braden Mann, Rick Lovato

Nothing changes here. Jake Elliot is one of the best kickers in pro football. Philadelphia has has seemingly found their punter of the future in Mann and Rick Lovato has been the Eagles long-snapper since 2016.

All 3 also just signed contract extensions in the off-season.

Cover Image Credit: BILL STREICHER/USA TODAY SPORTS