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USA Today
27-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Eagles 53-man roster projection ahead of OTAs, Mandatory minicamp
Eagles 53-man roster projection ahead of OTAs, Mandatory minicamp With the first of six OTA sessions set to begin within the hour, we're dropping an early, Eagles' 53-man roster prediction with a few surprises The NFL off-season is nearly complete, and after the schedule release, all eyes will turn to the end of the off-season workout program and the looming training camp at the NovaCare Complex. During free agency, Philadelphia made moves to strengthen some positions and fill pressing roster needs. The Eagles added ten talented rookies on NFL draft weekend, and they hit the practice field immediately with two days of rookie minicamp on Friday and Saturday. After watching 12 players depart in free agency, Roseman added two dynamic SEC linebackers, an All-American pass rusher, three offensive linemen, and an accomplished quarterback from Philadelphia. The defense has undergone an overhaul after defensive tackle Milton Williams (New England), Josh Sweat (Arizona), cornerback Darius Slay (Pittsburgh), cornerback Isaiah Rodgers (Minnesota), and linebacker Oren Burks (Cincinnati) all departed via free agency. With the first of six OTA sessions set to begin, we're dropping an early Eagles' 53-man roster prediction with a few surprises. QB: 3 Jalen Hurts Tanner McKee Kyle McCord- Drafted Rookie Philadelphia drafted Kyle McCord in the sixth round, and the expectation is that he'll beat out Dorian Thompson-Robinson for the third quarterback spot. RB: 4 Saquon Barkley A.J. Dillon Will Shipley Ben VanSumeren A.J. Dillon will replace Kenneth Gainwell in the lineup and battle Will Shipley for the backup running back spot. Ben VanSumeren will make the roster as a fullback. WR: 5 A.J. Brown DeVonta Smith Jahan Dotson Johnny Wilson Terrace Marshall Jr. Despite his struggles, Dotson played 649 offensive snaps during the regular season for Philadelphia, working as a No. 3 receiver behind A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith. Dotson improved with time and had his most impactful game of the season during the Eagles' win over Kansas City in Super Bowl LIX, with two catches for 42 yards on three targets. The 2022 first-round pick could have an increased role for the 2025 season if Philadelphia moves on from Goedert. Terrace Marshall was signed to a one-year deal and offers elite athleticism from the slot. TE: 2 Dallas Goedert Grant Calcaterra Goedert is back on a reworked contract, and the Eagles had success moving tight ends on and off the practice squad for game days. OL: 10 Jordan Mailata Landon Dickerson Cam Jurgens Kenyon Green Lane Johnson Tyler Steen Kendall Lamm Laekin Vakalahi -Roster Exempt Drew Kendall- Drafted Rookie Myles Hinton-Drafted Rookie Cameron Williams- Drafted Rookie) DL: 6 Jalen Carter Moro Ojomo Jordan Davis Thomas Booker Byron Young Ty Robinson -Drafted Rookie Edge Rusher: 5 Bryce Huff Jalyx Hunt Azeez Ojulari Nolan Smith Jr. Antwaun Powell-Ryland Jr. -Drafted Rookie We have undrafted rookie Antwaun Powell-Ryland making the cut over Josh Uche, who could join the Eagles' practice squad. LB: 4 Zack Baun Nakobe Dean (PUP) Jeremiah Trotter Jr. Jihaad Campbell-Drafted Rookie Smael Mondon Jr. -Drafted Rookie Dean is rehabbing without a knee brace, but his initial diagnosis required several months of rehab before he could return to running and practicing. CB: 6 Quinyon Mitchell Cooper DeJean Kelee Ringo Eli Ricks Adoree' Jackson Mac McWilliams -- Drafted Rookie Safety: 4 Lewis Cine Reed Blankenship Sydney Brown Andrew Mukuba- Drafted Rookie An off-season spent with his former Georgia teammates could give Cine a competitive advantage over Tristin McCollum and Maxen Hook. Specialist: 4 Avery Williams Jake Elliott Braden Mann Charley Hughlett Williams is listed as a running back, but he'll replace Britain Covey in the return game.
USA Today
24-03-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Eagles added 11 new players. Here's how they fit in
Eagles added 11 new players. Here's how they fit in We're looking at the positional and scheme fits for the Philadelphia Eagles 11 new additions The Eagles underwent a mini overhaul this offseason, as a mass exodus of free agents left the defense with holes, but 11 new additions—7 on defense—could have this team back in the Super Bowl. During the first wave of free agency, Philadelphia saw Josh Sweat (Cardinals), Milton Williams (Patriots), Kenneth Gainwell (Steelers), Mekhi Becton (Chargers), Isaiah Rodgers (Vikings), Fred Johnson (Jaguars), Parris Campbell (Cowboys), Darius Slay (CB) and Oren Burks (Bengals) all depart. Still, they rebounded to make several key signings, including A.J. Dillon (RB), Joshua Uche (LB), Adoree' Jackson (CB), Charley Hughlett (LS), Patrick Johnson (LB), Avery Williams (KR/PR), Kylen Granson (TE), and Azeez Ojulari (OLB) to name a few. With the NFL draft fast approaching, we're examining the fits for nine free-agent signings and two players acquired via trade. QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson Fit: Third-string quarterback. Thompson-Robinson, a 2023 fifth-round draft pick, started five games in two seasons with the Browns, completing 121-of-230 passes for 880 yards and one touchdown. He added 187 yards on 35 carries as a dual-threat quarterback. In his final season at UCLA, Thompson-Robinson finished sixth in the nation in completion percentage (.696), setting a school single-season record. He was one of two FBS quarterbacks to throw for as many as 27 touchdown passes and add 12 rushing touchdowns in 2022. The 25-year-old finished his collegiate career as UCLA's all-time leader in total offense (12,536 – only UCLA player ever to record more than 12,000 yards), completions (860), total touchdowns (116), touchdown passes (88), and passing yards (10,710). OL Kenyon Green Fit: Starting right guard. Green was the 15th overall pick of the 2022 NFL Draft out of Texas A&M. He will enter his fourth NFL season. The 6-foot-4, 325-pound Green turned 24 years old on Saturday, March 15. In his final season at Texas A&M, he was a first-team AP All-America selection. He was named the team's Offensive MVP and received the Aggies' Leadership Award as well. He played four of the five offensive line positions at A&M. RB A.J. Dillon Fit: Backup running back Dillon missed the 2024 season with a neck injury. Still, at 26 years old, he brings some extra power to the Philadelphia running back room, which currently consists of Saquon Barkley, Tyrion Davis-Price, Lew Nichols, and Will Shipley. He is a 6-foot, 247-pound back who ranked second on the Packers with 2,928 yards from scrimmage from 2021-23 and posted 50+ yards from scrimmage in 30 games. OLB Joshua Uche Fit: Rotational pass rusher. The 26-year-old has 20.5 career sacks and 34 quarterback hits throughout his NFL career. A 2020 second-round pick out of Michigan, Uche spent the first four and a half years in New England and has been used as an edge rusher throughout his career. Uche had a career-high 11.5 sacks in 2022 while in New England, stacking up 49 pressures at a rate of 18.5 percent. The versatile linebacker logged two sacks while on the Patriots in 2024 and finished the year with 23 tackles (17 solo) in 13 games. According to Pro Football Focus, Uche's pressure rate has been 16.7 percent since 2022, which ranks sixth among edge defenders in the NFL. TE Harrison Bryant Fit: 3rd string TE Bryant joins Dallas Goedert, Grant Calcaterra, E.J. Jenkins, Nick Muse, and Cameron Latu in the room. Bryant last played for the Las Vegas Raiders, appearing in 13 games and making nine catches for 86 yards. Before his time in Las Vegas, the 6-foot-5 tight end spent four years with the Cleveland Browns, where he was a fourth-round draft pick in 2020. During his five-year career, Bryant has accumulated 98 catches for 877 yards and 10 touchdowns. CB Adoree' Jackson Fit: 2nd team CB, Slot CB depth Jackson was the No. 18 overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft by the Titans, where he spent his first four seasons before joining the Giants in 2021. The former USC Trojan played in 14 games in 2024, making 28 tackles (18 solo), one forced fumble, and a recovery. In his eight-year NFL career, Jackson has collected 404 tackles (330 solo), 61 pass breakups, six forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, and four interceptions in 82 starts. LS Charley Hughlett Fit: Starting long snapper. Hughlett spent the last 10 seasons with the Browns and was tied as the longest-tenured member, playing in 152 career games, the 15th-most in franchise history. OLB Patrick Johnson Fit: Special teams standout After Johnson was drafted in the seventh round of the 2021 draft, he played in 49 regular-season and five playoff games, accumulating 20 tackles, one for loss, three QB hits, and 11 QB pressures. He also authored 15 special teams tackles. In 2024, he played in 12 games for the Giants, mainly on special teams. KR/PR Avery Williams Fit: Special teams standout The 26-year-old led the NFL in punt returns in 2022, averaging 16.2 yards per return. He's averaged 22.4 yards per kickoff return and 10.9 yards per punt return. TE Kylen Granson Fit: Reserve tight end. Granson, a former fourth-round draft pick of the Indianapolis Colts, has compiled 86 receptions for 958 yards and a touchdown in 62 regular-season games (17 starts) in his four NFL seasons. OLB Azeez Ojulari Fit: Starting pass rusher. Jalyx Hunt is going to be a really good player, but we predict Azeez Ojulari will start opposite Nolan Smith in Week 1. In his first year in the league, he broke the Giants' record for sacks by a rookie with eight. In four years in the NFL, Ojulari has compiled 37 QB hits, 22 sacks, and 21 tackles for loss in 46 games. At just 24 years old, the savvy edge rusher has a chance to make an impact for Philadelphia within Defensive Coordinator Vic Fangio's scheme. The 6-foot-3, 250-pound player posted six sacks in 11 games in the 2024 season.
USA Today
24-03-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Eagles 2025 offseason preview: Where does Philadelphia stand at RB position
Eagles 2025 offseason preview: Where does Philadelphia stand at RB position Previewing the Eagles running back position where Saquon Barkley is the headliner and A.J. Dillon could compete with Will Shipley for No. 2 RB spot The Eagles are the reigning Super Bowl champions, and as we approach the 2025 NFL draft, this roster will look dramatically different after suffering several free-agent losses. Philadelphia suffered massive losses as the first wave of free agency saw Josh Sweat (Cardinals), Milton Williams (Patriots), Kenneth Gainwell (Steelers), Mekhi Becton (Chargers), Isaiah Rodgers (Vikings), Fred Johnson (Jaguars), Parris Campbell (Cowboys), Darius Slay (CB) and Oren Burks (Bengals) all depart. Still, they rebounded to make several key signings, including A.J. Dillon (RB), Joshua Uche (LB), Adoree' Jackson (CB), Charley Hughlett (LS), Patrick Johnson (LB), Avery Williams (KR/PR), Kylen Granson (TE), and Azeez Ojulari (OLB). With the NFL draft fast approaching, we're examining the running back position as we kick off the Eagles Wire off-season previews. What's Changed Kenneth Gainwell departed for Pittsburgh after spending his first four NFL seasons in Philadelphia as the backup running back for the Eagles. Gainwell appeared in 66 games, including four starts, and carried the ball 280 times for 1,185 yards, a 4.2-yard average, and 12 touchdowns. Gainwell also had 102 receptions for 721 yards, a 7.1-yard average, and one touchdown. He also has 27 kickoff returns for 612 yards, a 22.7-yard average. Philadelphia signed former Packers running back A.J. Dillon to a one-year deal. Saquon Barkley The NFL's reigning Offensive Player of the Year, Barkley led the league with a franchise record of 2,005 rushing yards, making him the ninth player in NFL history to post 2,000+ rushing yards in a season. Overall, Barkley logged the 8th-most rushing yards in league history, trailing only Eric Dickerson in 1984 (2,105), Adrian Peterson in 2012 (2,097), Jamal Lewis in 2003 (2,066), Barry Sanders in 1997 (2,053), Derrick Henry in 2020 (2,027), Terrell Davis in 1998 (2,008) and Chris Johnson in 2009 (2,006). Note: O.J. Simpson, in 1973 (2,003), was the other member of the 2,000+ yard club. Including playoffs, Barkley's 2,329 rushing yards (119 in the NFC Wild Card Playoff vs. Green Bay) are the 3rd-most in NFL single-season history, behind Terrell Davis in 1998 (2,476) and 1997 (2,331). He is just 148 rushing yards shy of breaking Davis' record. A.J. Dillon Dillon and Aaron Jones teamed up in Green Bay for a dynamic one-two punch, and that could happen in Philadelphia with the Eagles looking to take some of the load off of Saquon Barkley following a season in which he led the league with 2,0005 yards. Last summer, Dillon was set to enter a contract year in 2024, but he was placed on injured reserve with a neck injury and missed the entire season. Dillon was selected 62nd overall (second round) in the 2020 NFL Draft. The six-foot, 247-pound back, known as "Quadzilla" by Packers fans, has been cleared for action. Dillon averaged 15 games played per campaign in his time in Green Bay -- excluding the missed 2024 season -- but only started 11. Dillon recorded 2,186 rushing yards between 2021-2023. Will Shipley The former Clemson star running back will battle A.J. Dillon for the backup role behind Saquon Barkley. As a rookie, Shipley rushed 30 times for 82 yards (2.7 YPC) across 16 regular-season appearances with the Eagles in 2024. He also secured all four targets for 35 yards and compiled 173 yards as a kick returner. Shipley, a 2024 fourth-round pick, logged a 77-yard run and a score, the first of his career, on just four carries versus Washington in the NFC Championship Game. Tyrion Davis-Price Davis-Price signed a one-year contract with the Eagles in February of 2024 after spending the first two years of his NFL career with the 49ers. He didn't make the 53-man roster at the end of training camp, but Davis-Price stuck around on the practice squad and was elevated for Week 17 against the Cowboys, during which he logged three carries for seven yards. Davis-Price will be able to participate in the Eagles' OTAs, minicamp, and training camp to earn a spot on the 53-man roster for the 2025 season. Lew Nichols Nichols spent time with Philadelphia during Training Camp and the preseason in 2024 and returned to the practice squad a month ago. Nichols (5-10, 220 pounds) rushed for 3,061 yards, added 575 receiving yards, and scored 29 total touchdowns in 32 games at Central Michigan. He was the Mid-American Conference Offensive Player of the Year in 2021.
