Philadelphia Eagles projected Week 1 starters include three newcomers on defense, one on offense, and three younger players stepping into starting roles for the first time.
The defending NFC champs will travel to Foxborough to face the New England Patriots to kick off the 2023 NFL season.
2023 Philadelphia Eagles
Jalen Hurts returns as the starting quarterback after a breakout season landed him second in MVP voting behind only Patrick Mahomes. Philadelphia’s franchise quarterback signed a lucrative $255 million contract extension this offseason.
Nick Sirianni will enter his third season as head coach. He inherited a 4-11-1 team and took them to the playoffs with a 9-8 record in 2021. The drastic improvement continued in his second season on the sidelines at Lincoln Financial Field when the Eagles finished 14-3.
General manager Howie Roseman has built a reputation as one of the best executives in the NFL. He also continued to stock the cupboard with talent in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft with the selection of University of Georgia standouts Jalen Carter and Nolan Smith.
Philadelphia Eagles Projected Week 1 Starters
Hurts leads an offensive attack that finished third in the NFL in points scored in 2022. A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, and Dallas Goedert also return as his three strongest weapons in the passing game. Jason Kelce and Lane Johnson have at least one more run together as the anchors of a stout offensive line.
Philadelphia native D’Andre Swift will likely join the starting lineup in Week 1 as the only newcomer. Cam Jurgens will move into a starting role as the right guard.
On defense, veterans Fletcher Cox and Brandon Graham hope to bring the city another moment of glory before the end of their respective careers in midnight green. Second-year players Nakobe Dean and Reed Blankenship will both play full-time starting roles for the first time. Carter, Terrell Edmunds, and Zach Cunningham will likely crack the starting lineup on opening day.
The defense under new coordinator Sean Desai will feature multiple packages and rotating personnel. One look will be a traditional 4-3 base.
Jalen Hurts
Quarterback, #1
Oklahoma University/University of Alabama
4th NFL Season- Drafted in 2nd Round (53rd overall) in 2020D'Andre Swift
Running Back, #0
University of Georgia
4th NFL season- Acquired in a trade from Detroit Lions (April 2023)A.J. Brown
Wide Receiver, #11
Ole Miss
5th NFL season- Acquired in a trade from Tennessee Titans (April 2022)DeVonta Smith
Wide Receiver, #6
University of Alabama
3rd NFL Season- Drafted in 1st Round (10th overall) in 2021Quez Watkins
Wide Receiver, #16
Southern Miss
4th NFL Season- Drafted in 6th Round (200th overall) in 2020Dallas Goedert
Tight End, #88
South Dakota State
6th NFL Season- Drafted in 2nd Round (48th overall) in 2018Jordan Mailata
Left Tackle, #68
Jeff Stoutland University
6th NFL Season- Drafted in 7th Round (233rd overall) in 2018Landon Dickerson
Left Guard, #69
University of Alabama
3rd NFL Season- Drafted in 2nd Round (37th overall) in 2021Jason Kelce
Center, #62
University of Cincinnati
13th NFL Season- Drafted in 6th Round (191st overall) in 2011Cam Jurgens
Right Guard, #51
University of Nebraska
2nd NFL Season- Drafted in 2nd Round (51st overall) in 2022Lane Johnson
Right Tackle, #65
Oklahoma University
11th NFL Season- Drafted in 1st Round (4th overall) in 2013Brandon Graham
Defensive End, #55
University of Michigan
14th NFL Season- Drafted in 1st Round (13th overall) in 2010Fletcher Cox
Defensive Tackle, #91
Mississippi State
12th NFL Season- Drafted in 1st Round (12th overall) in 2012Jordan Davis
Defensive Tackle, #90
University of Georgia
2nd NFL Season- Drafted in 1st Round (13th overall) in 2022Josh Sweat
Defensive End, #94
Florida State
6th NFL Season- Drafted in 4th Round (130th overall) in 2018Haason Reddick
Edge Rusher/Linebacker, #7
Temple University
7th NFL Season- Signed in Free Agency (March 2022)Nakobe Dean
Linebacker, #17
University of Georgia
2nd NFL Season- Drafted in 3rd Round (83rd overall) in 2022Zach Cunningham
Linebacker, #52
Vanderbilt University
7th NFL Season- Signed in Free Agency (August 2023)Darius Slay
Cornerback, #2
Mississippi State University
11th NFL Season- Acquired in trade from Detroit Lions (March 2020)James Bradberry
Cornerback, #24
University of Arkansas/Samford University
8th NFL Season- Signed in Free Agency (May 2022)Reed Blankenship
Safety, #32
Middle Tennessee State
2nd NFL Season- Signed as Undrafted Free Agent (May 2022)Terrell Edmunds
Safety, #26
Virginia Tech
6th NFL Season- Signed in Free Agency (March 2023)
