Cooney’s Column: With Optimism High, Bob Cooney Finally Gets To Do “W’s & L’s”

The final preseason game is behind us. We are just a couple of weeks from the season opener vs the Detroit Lions. Teams have until August 30th to cut the roster down to 53. That means a lot of players are going to have that tough meeting with their coaches in the coming days to hear they have been cut. Perhaps more tragically, some players will survive that Aug 30th deadline, just to be cut the next day when their team scoops up some player who was cut elsewhere. But it also means every writer in the city will be releasing their final projection of the 53-man-roster. And far be it from me to shirk tradition.

I made my first predictions following the draft. Then after preseason game number one, I revised those predictions. But now it is time for my third and final swing at guessing which 53 players will survive final cuts and suit up on September 11th vs the Lions. That way I can be wrong 3 times.

The Eagles are in an interesting position this year. Past seasons saw them with fewer than 53 players probably worth holding onto. They have not had very deep rosters, at least not since the Super Bowl year. But Howie Roseman was busy this offseason. He had a great draft. Signed some intriguing undrafted free agents. And filled a lot of holes with free agents as well. Leaving the Eagles in the position of having to make some tough cuts. Will some camp darlings earn a roster spot? Will some main stays lose their spot? Might the Eagles still be looking to add at the few positions lacking in depth?

Here is my best guess at which 53 players will make the final roster for the 2022-2023 Philadelphia Eagles.

1) Jalen Hurts

2) Gardner Minshew

Practice Squad-Reid Sinnett

Cuts- Carson Strong

The Eagles usually like to keep 3 QBs. But I don't know if there is a 3rd QB worth keeping. Reid Sinnett apparently looked good in some practices, but in the games, we never saw it. And we have barely heard Carson Strong's name at all from camp, which can't be a good sign. At least one of them will end up on the practice squad, as insurance, but the Eagles shouldn't have any issue getting either of them through waivers to do so. They have too many good players elsewhere to waste a roster spot on a 3rd Qb with no upside.

https://975thefanatic.com/2022/08/16/mike-kaye-discusses-the-differences-he-sees-in-jalen-hurts-this-year/

1) Miles Sanders

2) Boston Scott

3) Kenny Gainwell

4) TBD- Ronald Jones?

Practice Squad- Jason Huntley

Cut- Kennedy Brooks

The first three are no-brainers. If Sanders were healthy Id say they may just keep 3. But he is not. The Eagles insist it's not a concern, but he is not practicing and has an injury history. So excuse me if I remain a bit concerned about his status. With that said, they should keep 4. But is there someone currently on the roster worth keeping? I don't really think so. But there are going to be a ton of players cut on August 30th, some of them will be running backs.

Ronald Jones is someone who seems destined to be cut by the Chiefs. Is he a bell cow back who could carry the Eagles' running game? No, but right now the Eagles don't need him to be. They need him to be an insurance policy. He's a steady back who once had a 1000-yard season. Many fans want Kareem Hunt. But even if you put aside his past domestic violence issues (which I won't do) that move seems unlikely. Adam Schefter said on The John Kincade Show he doesn't think that is likely. I tend to believe things Adam Schefter reports.

https://975thefanatic.com/2022/08/24/video-adam-schefter-addresses-the-kareem-hunt-to-the-eagles-rumors/

1) AJ Brown

2) Devonta Smith

3) Quez Watkins

4) Zach Pascal

5) Deon Cain

Traded- Jalen Reagor

Practice Squad- Devon Allen, Britain Covey

Cuts- Greg Ward, John Hightower

Will they get much for Reagor? Nope. But he gives them nothing, and his social media antics can be a distraction. Best to just move on at this point. Plus it would be a shame to waste a roster spot on him when he is useless both as a WR and as a return man. I don't think I can take it if he is back there again when they field their first punt this year. You could put someone back there just to fair catch it every time, or let it bounce into the end zone, and it would be an improvement over Reagor.

I was on the Covey train since the draft, but he has shown nothing in-game as a return specialist or a WR. Cain meanwhile has shown ability. The 5th WR on this team won't get much play, but it would be nice to stash a potential talent in Cain. If they can't trade Reagor, I doubt they cut him, unfortunately. The cap cost would be untenable. And with the WR group being so good, I don't think they keep 6.

1) Dallas Goedert

2) Grant Calcaterra

3) Jack Stoll

Practice Squad- Noah Togiai

Cuts- Richard Rodgers

The Eagles have not pushed for Calcaterra to play through his injury, which feels like a good sign they plan to keep him. After that Stoll is a dependable blocker. With the Eagle so stacked at WR now, they will most likely run fewer two tight end sets. So I don't think they keep 4. I am sure they would love to hold on to Togiai. If he makes it through waivers they can stash him on the practice squad.

What will be interesting is what they do when Tyree Jackson is eligible to come off the PUP list. But that isn't something they have to worry about when building the 53- man roster for week 1.

LT) Jordan Mailata

LG) Landon Dickerson

C) Jason Kelce

RG) Isaac Seumalo

RT) Lane Johnson

1) Jack Driscoll

2) Andre Dillard

3) Cam Jurgens

4) Sua Opeta

5) Jack Anderson

Practice Squad-Kayode Awosika, Le'Raven Clark

Cuts- Josh Sills

The Eagles 2nd string o-line may be better than a handful of team's starters. I would have thought Dillard traded by now, but it feels like he will stick around. The Eagles value that depth, and unless someone blows them away with a deal, it sounds like they would prefer to hold onto Andre Dillard.

Were Jason Kelce healthy, I would say they only keep 9. But after his surgery, I think they keep Jack Anderson around just in case. At least for the first couple of weeks. It sounds like Kelce will be fine, and Cam Jurgens seems more than ready to fill in when he has to. But it is better to be safe than sorry. Plus Jack Anderson has versatility along the line and we know the Eagles love that. Anderson may be waived a couple of weeks in, but I think they keep him as an insurance policy for now.

https://975thefanatic.com/2022/08/22/jimmy-kempski-discussed-the-latest-with-the-eagles/

1) Fletcher Cox

2) Javon Hargrave

3) Jordan Davis

4) Milton Williams

5) Marlon Tuipulotu

Practice Squad- Marvin Wilson

The Eagles go very deep at DT. The top 4 are all obvious locks. I didn't initially predict Tuipulotu to crack the 53, but everyone who has been at camp has said he has earned a roster spot. So he is likely a lock too. Not sure how much playing time he will get, but depth along the line is always a good thing.

https://975thefanatic.com/2022/08/16/tim-mcmanus-talks-about-the-eagles-strength-on-both-sides-of-the-line/

1) Brandon Graham

2) Josh Sweat

3) Tarron Jackson

4) Derek Barnett

Cuts - Matt Leo

This one is easy. There is no one here in danger of being cut, and no one behind them worth keeping. I'd expect every writer in the city to be in agreement on these 4, and only these 4 making the roster. The only thing that might change is how you define them. You could combine them with the SAMs. The Ends and the Strong Side Linebackers are both going to primarily be rushing the passer. But of the true defensive ends, these are the 4 that are making it.

1) Hasson Reddick

2) Patrick Johnson

Practice Squad- Kyron Johnson

Kyron Johnson is a tough one to decide on. On one hand, they traded up to get him in the 6th round. On the other, we have heard pretty much nothing from him in camp. Making the cut for the Eagles is going to be tough. Johnson could very easily make it. It helps he was a big player on Special Teams in college. But keeping 7 edge rushers might be overkill, and Patrick Johnson has done more to earn it than him.

1)TJ Edwards

2) Kyzir White

3) Nakobe Dean

4) Davion Taylor

5) Shaun Bradley

Practice Squad- Jacoby Stevens

Cuts- Christian Elliss

This is another easy position to project. All 5 are locks to make the final 53, and I can't see either Stevens or Eliss cracking the roster. It's amazing to think Linebacker could be a position of strength for this team when it has been their weakest position the past few years. But the additions of White and Dean are huge. And Edwards played very well last year.

Jacoby Stevens was an interesting prospect but he has yet to show any reason to keep him. But they could at least stash him on the practice squad one more year.

https://975thefanatic.com/2022/08/15/kyzir-white-is-already-showing-his-versatility-at-lb/

1) Darius Slay

2) James Bradberry

3) Avonte Maddox

4) Zech McPhearson

5) Josh Jobe

6) Josiah Scott

Practice Squad- Mario Goodrich, Kary Vincent, Tay Gowan

Cuts- Mac McCain, Josh Blackwell

The first four are easy locks. This might be the best cornerback room the Eagles have had since the days of Lito Shepard and Sheldon Brown. The question comes after the first 4. Josh Jobe has impressed in camp, comes from Alabama which is always a plus, and has been given a ton of playing time with the second team. That is a good sign they plan to keep him. You could put Scott at corner or safety, as he has played at both. Eagles love versatility, and he offers it.

All the other guys have a shot at the practice squad.

1) Marcus Epps

2) Anthony Harris

3) Reed Blankenship

4) TBD- Landon Collins?

Practice Squad- Andre Chachere, K'von Wallace

Cuts- Jaquiski Tartt

There has been a lot of chatter about the Eagles peaking around in the Safety market. Various NFL Reporters have said on our airwaves that Howie Roseman has his eye on it. It feels like they are going to sign or trade for someone. But who? Jessie Bates would be the biggest name, but he is going to cost a lot. Both in terms of picks, and what you would have to sign him to. Derwin James just reset the Safety market in a big way. I won't rule it out, but I am going to guess they go a bit cheaper there for now.

Landon Collins is still a free agent. He is not a star, but he was somewhat dependable last year in Washington and made some plays. He won't come in and fix the Eagles Safety problems, but he can make them a bit less severe. Regardless of the who, I do feel confident that the Eagles will make a move at Safety.

Reed Blankenship has impressed in camp and in games. The undrafted free agent has outperformed every safety apart from Marcus Epps. Tartt may have once been thought to be safe, but I haven't heard his name once in camp. K'von Wallace has shown me nothing. He often just looks lost in coverage. The Clemson safety that once excited fans may be on the way out.

K) Jake Elliott

P) Arryn Sippos

LS) Rick Lovato

To my surprise, the Eagles never brought in competition for Siposs. After how bad he was to close out last season, they probably should have. But he seems to be doing fine again. We will see if he can have a full season, or if he falls off late in the season again. But he will be the Eagles punter. Thank god they didn't follow my advice and draft Matt Araiza given the allegations that recently came out against him.

But yea, these 3 spots are set in stone. You may see Lovato cut initially. It is a roster loophole the Eagles exploited last year because they know he will get through waivers and they can add him back while protecting another player they don't want to lose to the initial waiver shuffle. But he will be on the final 53 so I will put him here.

https://975thefanatic.com/2022/08/26/devonta-smith-officially-a-philadelphian-with-his-wawa-addiction/

https://975thefanatic.com/2022/08/25/after-the-tyron-smith-injury-nfc-east-is-the-eagles-for-the-taking/

https://975thefanatic.com/listicle/top-5-reasons-the-eagles-have-the-best-fans/

https://975thefanatic.com/listicle/predicting-the-2022-2023-eagles-53-man-roster/

https://975thefanatic.com/listicle/re-predicting-the-eagles-53-man-roster/