Eagles 2022 53 Man Roster Prediction

Quarterback

Keep: Jalen Hurts, Gardener Minshew, Reid Sinnett

Jalen Hurts

Coming into his 3rd year in the NFL Jalen Hurts will look to prove that he is the guy for the Birds. After a 2021 Season that saw Hurts lead the Eagles to a 9-8 record earning them a trip to the playoffs. The Eagles will no doubt be looking for a big jump in a prove it year from the Oklahoma product. With the additions of AJ Brown and Zach Pascal to the receiving core and a bolstered and healthy Oline along with a plethora of offensive options. All the pressure will be on Hurts who will become contract extension eligible at the end of the season.

Gardener Minshew

Minshew was acquired by the Birds last offseason for a conditional 6th round pick to serve as the backup to Jalen Hurts. And it's safe to say that that move has worked out for the Eagles to this point. Across 4 games 2 of which he started, Minshew would throw for 439yds 4 Touchdowns and just 1 interception with a %68.3 Completion percentage. Despite reports of a slow start to camp for the Mustache Man, any guy that spends his offseason living in a renovated prison bus outside of a gym living by the Mantra of “Super Bowl or Bust”, is a guy I want on my team. Look to see Minshew in a very similar role to last season, he has proven to be a valuable backup and shouldnt have any trouble keeping that job, unless the next guy on our list has something to say about that…

Reid Sinnett

One of this year's Training Camp standouts has been Reid Sinnett, Sinnett who was picked up midway through last season from the Miami Dolphins has had one of the best showing in Camp for the Birds this year. Though Sinnett did not play a single snap for the Birds last season he is becoming the clear favorite to win the 3rd string spot, and possibly even push Gardener Minshew if his struggles continue.

Cut: Carson Strong

Carson Strong

When Carson Strong signed a UDFA deal that had a whopping $320,000 Guaranteed, which is almost unheard of for an undrafted product, many thought Strong would be a shoe-in for the 3rd string QB spot. But it has been far from the fact, with the recent surge of Reid Sinnett and underwhelming play from Strong it's looking more and more likely the University of Nevada product will be the odd one out when it comes down to deciding the final 53. Reports out of the NovaCare Complex have said that Strong hasn't looked bad so much as outmatched and unprepared. It's safe to say after the Eagles hefty investment in him after the draft that there will undoubtedly be a practice squad spot somewhere in his near future if he doesn't get a job on the final 53.

Running Backs

Keep: Miles Sanders, Kenny Gainwell, Boston Scott, Jason Huntley

Miles Sanders

Coming off a breakout 2020 Season Miles Sanders struggled to produce for the Birds last year, playing in just 12 of 17 games due to injury the former Nittany Lion rushed for just 754 yards and did not record a single touchdown. It's safe to say that in a contract year with a surging Kenny Gainwell and Boston Scott behind him, Miles Sanders is going to need to produce. And with all the new toys of this Eagles offense Sanders will need to make the best out of the snaps he is awarded. We all know how good Miles Sanders can be and if he can produce like he did in 2019 and 2020 this Eagles will become that much more dangerous.

Kenny Gainwell

Gainwell impressed in his rookie season, showing his skills as an all purpose back out of the backfield. He recorded 544 Yards from Scrimmage and 6 total touchdowns for the birds. Word out of Training Camp suggests the Memphis product will be receiving a lot more snaps this season as he continues to produce well through his first team reps. But if Gainwell wants these snaps he's going to have to earn them, with a hungry Miles Sanders and Boston Scott competing for reps. But it's safe to say that if Gainwell keeps up his stellar production he will be competing with the likes of Miles Sanders and even Devonta Smith for snaps all across the offense.

Boston Scott

Despite suffering a concussion that has sidelined him for most of camp. Boston Scott will once again be a cornerstone of this Eagles backfield, with his innate ability in short yardage situations and goal line opportunities Scott has proven to be a valuable piece for the Birds in more ways than one. Scott has been a piece of this Eagles backfield for the better part of 3 seasons and has become a fan favorite in that time. While Scott pretty much has his spot locked up already, he will need to continue his production from years past if he wants to keep pace with the other guys in this backfield.

Jason Huntley

Jason Huntley is a guy that we should all be rooting for, Huntley has been on and off the Eagles Roster since 2020. And the Birds kind of kicked the bucket on him a few times, before finally giving him a real shot last year where he rushed for 51 yards on 13 attempts in 1 game. It's safe to say that Huntley came back with a vengeance this year, as he's been tearing it up for the Birds in Training Camp to this point. If he can keep it up there is no question he won't be locking up that final running back spot for the Birds this year.

Cut: Kennedy Brooks

Kennedy Brooks

When the Eagles signed Brooks as a UDFA out of Oklahoma, it was well known that he was a long shot to make the final roster. Brooks is an explosive back that averaged an insane 8.9yds a carry during his time with the Sooners. He definitely has upside and a practice squad spot will most definitely be waiting in his future if he doesn't make the final cut.

Wide Receivers

Keep: Aj Brown, Devonta Smith, Quez Watkins, Greg Ward Jr, Zach Pascal, Britain Covey

Aj Brown

The Eagles acquired Aj Brown this offseason in what was one of the biggest trades since the acquisition of Terrell Owens in 2004. Brown racked up 869 yards and 5 Touchdowns in just 13 games for Tennessee last season, but became disgruntled when contract negotiations stalled. That wasn’t an issue for Howie Roseman and the Eagles who signed Brown to a 4 year $100 Million dollar contract through the 2026 season. Brown is poised for a huge 2022 in a revamped Eagles offense that includes the likes of He, Devonta Smith, and Dallas Goedert among many more.

Devonta Smith

Coming off an amazing Freshman campaign Devonta Smith will be looking to break out in a big way in his second year. Paired with newly acquired wideout Aj Brown and coming into his second year with his close friend Jalen Hurts at QB, Smith Looks poised to do just that. If he does do so, he will help to form one of the deadliest Wide Receiver duos in the NFL today. Smith has already proven he is a top young wideout in football, now all he must do is build on that.

Quez Watkins

A former 6th round pick of the 2020 NFL Draft the speedy young Quez Watkins has proven to be yet another late round steal for Howie Rosemen who has a knack for snagging talented guys in the late rounds of the draft. Last season the Southern Mississippi product racked up 647 yards and a touchdown on 43 catches. Watkins has been known for his ability to stretch the field and make the big play in his short time in Midnight Green. Look for Watkins' role to grow once again in this Eagles offense as he continues to grow himself as a player.

Zach Pascal

One of the Birds signings that may have gone under the radar was the enrollment of one Zach Pascal. Pascal who played under Nick Sirianni in Indianapolis for the first 3 years of his career, has never been a world beater by any means but is a guy that can work some depth and make a play if he's called on. Pascal was targeted 38 times last season, amounting for 384 yards and 3 touchdowns. The former undrafted product will compete with the aforementioned Quez Watkins for the job at WR3. Despite what some might say do not overlook Pascal, he's a guy who is always a shot to break for a big play and someone who will always give you a chance.

Britain Covey

Now this may be where I start to raise some eyebrows, many may not even know of the undrafted University of Utah product. But make no mistake Covey has turned some heads at Eagles Camp thus far, though he has mainly worked as a punt/kick returner he has worked sporadically with the wide receivers. If Covey does end up making the final 53, and yes it is still a big if. He will most likely serve in the role of return man and in some special teams spots, but I wouldn't be surprised to see the speedy 5’8 173lb in a receiver role at some point this preseason. Covey has played great to this point, but if he wants to make the Eagles roster he will need to show out before camp ends.

Cut: Jalen Reagor, Deon Cain, John Hightower, Keric Wheatfall, Lance Lenior, Devon Allen

Jalen Reagor

You never want to see the name of your former first round pick on the cut list especially in Training Camp. But as the days pass by and the competition only seems to get better, Jalen Reagors chances headed into his 3rd season seem to get bleaker and bleaker. Reagor has yet to impress with any big plays and his name is rarely mentioned when talks of players with rising stocks are spoken of. Coming off a disappointing 2021, where Reagor caught just 33 passes for 299 yards and 2 touchdowns and was headlined by multiple dropped balls, two of which came in a crucial spot in the Eagles 13-7 loss to the New York Giants in week 12 of last season. Reagor will need to blow coaches away in the final few weeks of camp and show out in his preseason opportunities if he wants to beat out the surging competition that the Eagles have brought in at the Wide Receiver spot.

Deon Cain

Cain is a guy who has struggled to stay on an NFL roster throughout his career, serving stints in Indianapolis, Pittsburgh, Baltimore, and finally Philly this year. The Clemson product has been seen as a longshot since day one, and while a practice squad spot may be in his future, Deon Cain most likely will be missing out on the final cut for the Birds this year.

John Hightower

The former Eagles 5th rounder just hasn't been able to put it together over his last few years with the Birds. After a promising rookie campaign which saw the Boise State Alum catch 10 passes for 167 yards showcasing some deep ball ability. Hightower would struggle to stay on the field in year two not recording a single catch in all of 1 game in 2021. Practice Squad seems like best case scenario for Hightower who has struggled to stay on the field in Camp for the Birds yet again.

Keric Wheatfall

Wheatfall was a guy the Eagles opted to take a UDFA flier on, he had showcased some great speed in his time at Fresno State which is a big reason the Birds took a shot on him. It was a slim shot from the start for Wheatfall, but if he is able to impress he may be able to compete for a spot on the Practice Squad or at least get a chance elsewhere if the opportunity arises.

Lance Lenior

Lenior was released by the Cowboys last April and then signed with the USFL’s Michigan Panthers. In limited action he caught 52 passes for 484 yards and 2 touchdowns for granted one of the worst teams in the league but it was something. Prior, Lenior bounced in and around the league spending most of his time off and on the Cowboys roster. It's safe to say that Lenior won't be hopping on the 53 man anytime soon.

Devon Allen

Devon Allen made waves this offseason when he signed with the Birds, the Olympic hurdler competed in the 110 Meter hurdles for team USA. Allen was made famous for running a 4.3 40 at the NFL combine after his time as a receiver for the University of Oregon from 2014-2016. During his time as a Duck Allen racked up 953 yards and 8 touchdowns averaging 17.0 yards per reception through his 3 years in Eugene. Despite his great story, the Olympic hurdler most likely won't be joining the team when it's all said and done. However the fact he signed a 3 year pact with the Birds suggests a possible Practice Squad spot may be in his future.