Eagles 53 man Prediction, Pt 2 (OL & TE)

Tight Ends

Keep: Dallas Goedert, Jack Stoll, Noah Togiai

Dallas Goedert

Coming off easily the best season of his career, Dallas Goedert flourished in the Eagle’s revamped offense without having to compete for snaps with former longtime Tight End Zach Ertz. Goedert played in 15 games, recording 830 yards and 4 touchdowns on his way to becoming a mainstay in this Birds offense. Look for Goedert to have yet another great season, with the likes of AJ Brown, Devonta Smith, and Miles Sanders commanding attention from opposing defenses. The Eagles criminally underrated Tight End will look to have a possible career season.

Jack Stoll

Stoll was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Eagles after the 2021 NFL Draft. After showing out in Training Camp and in the preseason, Stoll was awarded an opening day roster spot. Being the only UDFA to do so for the Eagles last season. While Stoll may not be an ideal pass catching Tight End, The University of Nebraska product has shown his skills on special teams and as a blocker on offense. Something the Eagles have lacked at the Tight End position since the departure of Brent Celek in 2018. While you may not catch Stoll with 500+ yards and multiple touchdowns to his name, his contributions will certainly be felt on the field this season.

Noah Togiai

When 6th-round pick Grand Calcantara went down with a hamstring injury. Noah Togiai a 3rd Year guy out of Utah State saw his opportunity come and has taken full advantage of it to this point. Togiai bounced on and off the Eagles roster over the past 3 seasons, but it seems like he may have found his place after having an outstanding Training Camp. Togiai also caught the go-ahead touchdown from Reid Sinnett in Friday’s 24-21 preseason loss to the New York Jets. While he still has a lot of work to do, if the 6’4 244 pounder can keep up the great play, a 53-man roster spot may soon be in his future.

Cut: Richard Rodgers, Grant Calcantara

Richard Rodgers

Richard Rodgers may be a name Eagles fans are tired of hearing. The 30-year-old Tight End has bounced off and on the Birds roster a mind-boggling 16 times, yes you heard that right Rodgers has been signed and released from the Eagles roster a combined 16 times. Since 2018 when he first signed with the Eagles, Rodgers has racked up a total of 27 receptions for 363 yards and 2 touchdowns. The Cal product has not done anything all too special to warrant a return to the Birds roster, but his veteran experience may be what lands him a roster spot over Noah Togiai.

Grant Calcantara

Calcantara was selected in the 6th round of the 2022 NFL Draft by the Eagles. The SMU product produced well through the first few weeks of Eagles camp but a Hamstring injury has kept Calcantara sidelined over the past few weeks. When you’re competing for a roster spot, especially as a late-round rookie being on the field is obviously priority number one. A practice squad spot seems likely for Calcantara, if an injury does arise during the season a promotion couldn’t be far off for the first year Tight End.

Offensive Tackle

Keep: Jordan Mailata, Lane Johnson, Andre Dillard, Le’Raven Clark, Jack Driscoll

Jordan Mailata

Jordan Mailata was a revelation when he was drafted by the Eagles back in 2018 as a 6’8 365lb tackle. Mailata was mainly seen as a publicity stunt by the Eagles, but GM Howie Roseman saw something in him. And after 2 seasons on the practice squad, Mailata got his chance in 2020. Low and Behold the former rugby star played great through 10 starts during the Covid season. All of Mailata’s hard work had paid off as before the 2021 season he was awarded with a 4-year $65 Million dollar extension through 2025. It’s safe to say he backed that big number up as well, in 2021 Mailata registered the second highest PFF rating for a tackle (90.8) behind only Trent Williams. Jalen Hurts’ blind side is in good hands for years to come with Mailata at the helm.

Lane Johnson

Lane Johnson has been a mainstay on the right side of this Eagles Oline since 2013 when he was selected 4th overall by the Birds. Over the past 9 seasons, Johnson has proven to be one of the best Right Tackles in all of Football racking up 2 All-Pro selections (2017,2021) and 3 Pro Bowl appearances (2018,2019,2020). Johnson is one of only 7 players left from the Eagles’ 2017 Super Bowl roster and has become a leader and mentor to younger players. Now in his age 32 season, Johnson has 2 years left on his 4-year extension signed in 2019, and it seems his best Football may still be ahead of him.

Andre Dillard

The former 2019 1st rounder has notoriously struggled through his first 3 seasons in the NFL. Whether it being injuries or just flat-out bad play, Dillard has neglected to gain a footing as a piece of the Eagles’ offensive line. The former Washington State product will now play 2nd fiddle to a man drafted 7 rounds behind him. While all hope is not yet lost for Andre Dillards NFL career, there will need to be a significant turnaround somewhere in the near future if he wants to stick it out in the Bigs.

Jack Driscoll

Over the past 2 seasons, the 4th round pick out of Auburn has proven time and time again that he is one of the most suitable backup O-linemen in the NFL today. With the innate ability to play both Guard and Tackle, he is most valuable for any NFL team to have coming off the bench. He also showed the ability to start if needed, filling in for an injured Issac Seuamlo in 8 games last season. Driscoll looks to be a part of this Eagles offensive line for years to come, and deservingly so.

Le’Raven Clark

Le’Raven Clark spent most of the 2021 season on the practice squad but was called up for multiple games throughout the year to serve as a backup. He also was given the start in week 18 vs the Dallas Cowboys where he would perform well at Right Tackle. After the season Clark would sign a 2-year pact with the Birds through 2023, and he has lived up to the expectations well to this point. The Texas Tech product has reportedly been a standout during 2nd team offensive drills and did well when both Andre Dillard and Jordan Mailata were out with concussions. Clark is certainly still on the bubble, but he will bring size and veteran experience to an already strong offensive line room for the Eagles if he does make the cut.

Cuts: Kayode Awosika, Jarrid Williams

Kayode Awosika

The second-year UDFA out of Buffalo has come into camp with a good opportunity to make the roster as yet another Guard/Tackle for the Birds but he has struggled through his time in camp. Especially when being slotted at the Left Tackle position which was his primary position for most of his career. Awosika still has time to earn himself a spot, but time is running out for the Maple Grove Minnesota native.

Jarrid Williams

Williams was signed as a UDFA out of the University of Miami. He played an incredible 7 collegiate seasons between his time at Houston and Miami where he earned a master’s degree in Liberal Studies. Williams was cut shortly into Mini Camp but was brought back due to injuries on the Oline. Many were surprised when he didn’t make first cuts last week, chances are Williams’ days in Midnight Green are numbered.

Offensive Guards

Keep: Landon Dickerson, Issac Seumalo, Sua Opeta

Landon Dickerson

“Big Country” (or Landon Dickerson if you prefer to call him that) made a “big” impact on the Eagles’ offensive line in his rookie season. When All-Pro Guard Brandon Brooks went down with a season-ending Pectoral injury, Dickerson jumped right in and filled the role perfectly coming off an ACL tear of his own that he suffered in the 2020 SEC Title game just months before the draft. Now with the retirement of Brooks, Dickerson will look to step in and be the Eagles’ Left Guard of the Future.

Issac Seumalo

Coming off his second straight injury-riddled season Issac Seumalo will look to solidify himself as the Eagles’ Right Guard. Last season Seumalo Tore his ACL 3 just games in, this is the second time since the Oregon State product signed his 3-year extension in 2019 that he has had a season cut short by injury. During his time on the field, Seumalo has proven to be a force at the guard spot for the Birds, all we can do now is hope he stays healthy.

Sua Opeta

If the offensive line cuts do indeed shake out the way I have predicted, Opeta will end up on the roster as the only pure backup Guard. All the others being either Center/Guards or Guards that have mainly focused on playing Tackle such as Jack Driscoll. Opeta impressed in short appearances through the years past but has struggled mightily in camp to start the season, and seemed to be getting bullied by Jets defenders during last week’s preseason matchup. However, the Eagles’ thinness at Guard may force them to hold on to the more experienced Opeta over their other options.

Cut: Jack Anderson, Josh Sills

Jack Anderson

If the Eagles were to cut Sua Opeta (Which is a complete possibility), 2021 7th-round pick Jack Anderson would most likely take his spot on the 53-man roster. Anderson was a member of the practice squad for most of last season and was called up for 2 games one of which he started in week 18 vs Dallas. The only issue with Anderson is that he is still too raw for the Eagles to get a good grip on him. But if they do at any point want the former All-American up on the 53-man, he’s just one call away.

Josh Sills

Josh Sillis played 5 years of college ball between West Virginia and Oklahoma State where he would start in 47 of 52 games for the Mountaineers and Cowboys respectively. He was signed as a UDFA after the 2022 draft and was a bit of a surprise to some after making it through the first round of cuts. One of the biggest knocks on Sills is that he will be a 25-year-old rookie before year’s end. Though he may be a decent developmental piece to perhaps put on the practice squad I don’t know if I see Josh Sills sticking around all that much longer.

Centers

Keep: Jason Kelce, Cam Jurgens

Jason Kelce

5-time Pro Bowler, 4-time All-Pro, 2017 Super Bowl Champion, oh, and the greatest championship speech in professional sports history, Yea I guess he can stick around. All jokes aside Jason Kelce has been the anchor of this offensive line since he was selected in the 6th round of the 2011 draft by one Andy Reid. The 34-year-old Kelce is entering his 12th season in Midnight Green and what may be his last. There is no doubt that Kelce will continue his all-world play this season, now it’s just up to the Eagles to make Kelces last; worth his while.

Cam Jurgens

When Jason Kelce hand picks you from a draft class with dozens of other offensive linemen, you must be special. Well, that is exactly what happened to Nebraska product Cam Jurgens, when the Eagles were tasked with selecting either Georgia Linebacker Nakobe Dean or Jurgens, they selected the Beatrice Nebraska native in the second round. It’s been said that Kelces influence has a huge part in GM Howie Roseman making the selection. With Kelce over his shoulder, mentoring him along the way it’s easy to say that Cam Jurgens will help to continue the Eagles’ long line of successful Offensive Line selections.

Cut: Cam Tom

Cam Tom

Cam Tom is a guy who has been around the block a few times. Signed as a UDFA in 2017 by the Saints, Tom has spent time in New Orleans and most recently Miami. If Cam Jurgens wasn’t around, Tom would be a piece to consider for the backup center spot. But I’m just not sure if the 6’4 300 pound Southern Miss product is at that level, a practice squad spot could end up being the perfect role for Tom and the Eagles who have been riddled with Offensive Line injuries across the last few seasons.