2025 Eagles 53-Man Roster Final Projections

It’s nearly time for the official 2025 Eagles roster.

With just 10 days until the Philadelphia Eagles open the season at home against the Dallas Cowboys, the Eagles have decisions to make about what players will be on that sideline on September 4.

After three preseason games and over a dozen practices, the Eagles will have to cut their roster down from 90 players to 53 before Tuesday at 4 p.m.

Back in May, after the 2025 NFL Draft, I did a way-too-early projection of what I thought the roster would look like at the end of training camps. Since then, many things have changed. Now here is what I believe the roster will look like come Tuesday’s deadline.

Quarterback (3): Jalen Hurts, Tanner McKee, Sam Howell

Like back in May, this one is very self-explanatory. Jalen Hurts is coming off a Super Bowl win and Super Bowl MVP and will be the team’s leading man going forward. As for the Eagles’ backup, when 100% healthy, it will be Tanner McKee. McKee has looked outstanding this summer, most notably in his start against the Cincinnati Bengals in the first preseason game. McKee finished 20/25 for 252 passing yards and two passing touchdowns, while also rushing in one touchdown on a tush push. A finger injury sidelined McKee for the remainder of the preseason, but when he is healthy, he’ll be ready to go to back up Hurts.

As for the Eagles’ third-string quarterback, that spot was up in the air until a trade on Sunday morning. The Eagles acquired Sam Howell from the Minnesota Vikings, swapping late 2026 picks. With that trade, Dorian Thompson-Robinson was waived, and Kyle McCord will likely not make the team. However, McCord has solid odds to remain with the team through the practice squad.

Running Back (4): Saquon Barkley, AJ Dillon, Will Shipley, Ben VanSumeren

Another position with not much speculation at the top of the depth chart. Saquon Barkley is a top 10 player in the NFL coming into the year, and is coming off one of the greatest seasons by a running back. He’ll lead the backfield, and AJ Dillon and Will Shipley will back up the veteran.

The lone question for the Eagles’ running back room will be whether they bring on a fourth running back or just take on a fullback. If they keep a fullback, it will be Ben VanSumeren, who appeared in 11 games last season before suffering a season–ending knee injury. VanSumeren resigned this offseason and is the only fullback on the roster at the moment, and I believe that’s the route they’ll go.

The other option is if they opt for four traditional running backs, and if they go that route, it will be undrafted free agent Montrell Johnson Jr. Johnson has received the majority of the workload in the Eagles’ three preseason games, rushing for 77 yards and one touchdown. It’s unlikely Johnson makes the team, but he should remain with the Eagles on the practice squad following Tuesday’s cuts.

Wide Receiver (5): A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, Jahan Dotson, John Metchie III, Darius Cooper

No surprise for the top two guys on this list, as A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith will lead this group for the fourth year in a row. Jahan Dotson was mentioned in trade talks over training camp, but it seems he will return for the final year of his rookie contract with the Eagles.

New to the Eagles in 2025 is newly traded for wide receiver John Metchie III from the Houston Texans. Metchie was acquired last week for Harrison Bryant and a fifth-round pick, and will join his college best, DeVonta Smith, and solidify this wide receiver room as one of the deepest in the league.

Johnny Wilson, the Eagles’ sixth-round pick in 2024, was well on pace to make the Eagles after a stellar start to training camp and solid performances in his two preseason game appearances. However, Wilson suffered a season-ending knee injury last week and was placed on IR. With the injury, the Eagles drop from taking six wide receivers to five, and in the final slot, I have them keeping Darius Cooper.

The final spot is going to either Cooper or Ainias Smith, but I have to give them the edge to Cooper, who has been outstanding all summer for the Eagles. It’s been incredible to watch the undrafted rookie out of Tarleton State as he’s dominated in practice and in games, hauling in seven catches for 90 yards and a touchdown in three preseason games.

Tight End (3): Dallas Goedert, Grant Calcaterra, Kylen Granson

This is by far the easiest non-special teams group to predict. Dallas Goedert and Grant Calcaterra are both back and ready to run back another Super Bowl run, leading the tight ends. However, both are in their final year of their contracts with the Eagles, but that issue will be dealt with in the offseason.

The third tight end spot easily goes to Kylen Granson, who signed this offseason. Granson automatically takes the spot after Harrison Bryant was traded earlier this month, ending the battle between the two for the final spot. This was one of the few

Offensive Line (10): Jordan Mailata, Landon Dickerson, Cam Jurgens, Tyler Steen, Lane Johnson, Matt Pryor, Brett Toth, Drew Kendall, Fred Johnson, Myles Hinton

The offensive line is one of the groups that saw some shifts since my last list. The starters are still the same, with Jordan Mailata, Landon Dickerson, Cam Jurgens, Tyler Steen, and Lane Johnson being the main five up front. However, one of the five may not see the field on opening night, as Landon Dickerson suffered a lower leg injury during a team practice.

Dickerson avoided any serious injury and may play week one, but we won’t know until closer to the date. Backing up the starting five is a mix of young players, solid veterans, and some old friends. Matt Pryor is back after spending the first three years of his career in Philadelphia, as well as freshly traded for tackle Fred Johnson, who was acquired for a seventh-round pick Sunday night.

Brett Toth is back for another year and will likely be the starter at left guard if Dickerson isn’t healthy for week one. Fifth-round pick Drew Kendall is likely to make the team after spending the majority of camp at backup center. If Jurgnes goes down, Kendall is the guy.

The final spot seemed like a lock for Darian Kinnard, who was preparing for his second year with the Eagles. However, in another trade, Kinnard was traded to the Green Bay Packers for a 2027 seventh-round pick. Now, making the team in place of Kinnard, I have Myles Hinton. Hinton slightly edges out fellow late-round rookie Cameron Williams for the final roster spot.

Defensive Line (6): Jalen Carter, Moro Ojomo, Jordan Davis, Ty Robinson, Gabe Hall, Byron Young

The defensive line has taken some hits this offseason, mainly losing Milton Williams to New England and Brandon Graham to retirement, but they’ve prepared for that scenario, and this group remains one of the league’s best. Jalen Carter leads the group heading into year three, and Moro Ojomo and Jordan Davis give the group a solid three-headed monster.

Backing up the three are third-round rookie Ty Robinson out of Nebraska, who has looked dominant during the preseason. Robisnon could very likely turn into another day two steal for the Eagles. Former Eagles defensive tackle Thomas Booker was traded this month, giving way to a former undrafted free agent, Gabe Hall, and former Raiders third-round pick Byron Young to round out the interior defensive line.

Edge Rushers (5): Nolan Smith, Jalyx Hunt, Joshua Uche, Azeez Ojulari, Ogbo Okoronkwo

The edge rushers lack a true long-time veteran after Josh Sweat left in free agency. Likely stepping up is Nolan Smith and Jalyx Hunt, who are entering year three and two respectively. Josh Uche and Azeez Ojulari both signed one-year deals this offseason and will both 100% make the team.

The final spot comes down to Ogbo Okoronkwo and Patrick Johnson, and I have Okoronkwo getting the last spot. This one could go either way, and it wouldn’t shock me if Johnson wins the job, but I think Okoronkwo has had a slightly better camp and wins the final spot.

Linebackers (4): Zack Baun, Jihaad Campbell, Jeremiah Trotter Jr., Smael Mondon Jr.

This is another very easy group to predict, but there will eventually come a point when someone in this room will be out of a job. Zack Baun obviously is making the team after resigning to a new three-year deal in the offseason, and first-round rookie Jihaad Campbell is the odds-on favorite to start next to Baun during opening night.

Jeremiah Trotter Jr. and Smael Mondon will be the final two to make the initial roster, backing up Baun and Campbell. The question about the linebackers comes from Nakobe Dean. Dean is still recovering from a patellar tendon injury and will start the year on the PUP list. Dean will return at some point this year, but who comes down in his place, and will Dean go back to a starting role over Campbell?

Cornerback (6): Quinyon Mitchell, Cooper DeJean, Mac McWilliams, Kelee Ringo, Jakorian Bennett, Eli Ricks

For the corners, I believe they take six players. Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean are back for year two, and they are both set on being the leaders of this group following Darius Slay‘s departure. Mitchell will go the majority of time against the team’s wide receiver one, and DeJean will split time all over the secondary, but mainly in the slot.

Who starts on the opposite side of the field to Mitchell is still a mystery. Kelee Ringo seemed like the guy to do it heading into camp, but his struggles have caused the Eagles to go out and acquire cornerback Jakorian Bennett. Bennett will likely start, but we’ll see if Roseman and the rest of the front office have any more moves up their sleeves.

Mac McWilliams will be the backup and possibly the starter in the slot if DeJean is moved to the outside, so he makes it, and in the final spot, it’s down to two players yet again. One of Adoree’ Jackson and Eli Ricks is likely to be let go, and while Jackson is the leading man to win the job, I think the Eagles stick with the guy who has been with the team for three years, in Ricks.

Safety (4): Reed Blankenship, Sydney Brown, Andrew Mukuba, Tristin McCollum

The final group of defense is a pretty straightforward one, especially after the release of Lewis Cine due to injury on Sunday. Reed Blankenship will be one of the starting safeties this year, heading into the last year of his rookie deal, and starting next to him will be either Sydney Brown or rookie Andrew Mukuba.

Tristin McCoullum will likely get the final spot, and unless the team goes light in another position, second-year safety Andre Sam will spend another year on the practice squad.

Specialists (3): Jake Elliott, Braden Mann, Charley Hughlett

Not much to say about this group. Jake Elliott is back for year eight, securing his job that was up in the air due to some terrible performances during the regular season, but a solid postseason for Elliott keeps him in Philly for another year. Same with Braden Mann, who was the lone punter through all of camp and will be with the team opening night.

Charley Hughlett was a question mark at the beginning of camp as he suffered a neck injury that caused the team to sign Christian Johnstone. However, Hughlett is healthy now and will be the starting long snapper when the year begins.

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