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EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Brett Toth, Ben VanSumeren, Tristin McCollum and Byron Young each stood at midfield for the final coin toss of the preseason. Each of them knows what it’s like to play football on the surface of a chopping block. NFL teams must cut their rosters down to 53 active players by Tuesday, and the reigning Super Bowl champions entered the weekend still undecided at multiple positions.
General manager Howie Roseman executed two trades to strengthen position battles at cornerback and wide receiver, but both experienced setbacks. The Eagles must decide how they’ll manage wide receiver Johnny Wilson’s season-ending injury to his knee and ankle. They must also decide who, within a crowded offensive line, they’ll keep to partly reinforce a Pro Bowl-laden unit that’s counting on starting left guard Landon Dickerson’s swift return from a minor procedure on his knee. Coach Nick Sirianni and his staff will be reviewing film from their 19-17 win against the New York Jets to reach final decisions.
Eagles beat reporters Zach Berman and Brooks Kubena take a crack at a final prediction for the 2025 Eagles’ 53-man roster.
Quarterbacks
Berman (3)
Jalen Hurts, Tanner McKee, Kyle McCord
Cut: Dorian Thompson-Robinson
Any intrigue about the No. 3 quarterback competition faded after the second preseason game when McCord supplanted Thompson-Robinson. The Eagles prefer to keep three quarterbacks, although it’s not out of the question that they keep two. My guess is they try to develop McCord. It’s also worth monitoring McKee’s status heading into Week 1; he injured his right finger this week.
Jalen Hurts
Eagles
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Kubena (3)
Jalen Hurts, Tanner McKee, Kyle McCord
Cut: Dorian Thompson-Robinson
The Eagles, who value the QB3 spot, historically keep three quarterbacks. It would be surprising to see the Eagles cut McCord four months after spending a sixth-round pick on him. McCord still needs to refine his ball placement and decision-making, but he can build on a promising end to the preseason. Thompson-Robinson would hit the waiver wire. Neither quarterback inspired the same confidence the Eagles had in McKee in the QB3 role last season. McCord, who turns 23 on Sept. 19, still has unknown potential to cultivate.
Running backs
Berman (4)
Saquon Barkley, Will Shipley, A.J. Dillon, Ben VanSumeren
Cut: Montrell Johnson, ShunDerrick Powell, Keilen Robinson
The Eagles often consider sneaking vested veterans onto the practice squad, but I don’t expect them to do that with Dillon. He could have a role on offense and there are too many teams in the running back market to chance it. Johnson has shown promise among the undrafted rookies and will be a player the Eagles try to keep on the practice squad. VanSumeren’s primary role is on special teams, but he can help as a fullback.
Kubena (4)
Saquon Barkley, Will Shipley, A.J. Dillon, Ben VanSumeren (FB)
Cut: Montrell Johnson Jr., ShunDerrick Powell, Keilan Robinson
The Eagles have carried at least three running backs in every season during Sirianni’s tenure. The addition of Dillon (6-foot, 247 pounds) equips the backfield with a power back who can spell Barkley in short-yardage situations. But Dillon’s injury history (missed the entire 2024 season with a neck injury) places greater weight on Philly’s practice squad additions. Powell, an undrafted rookie, broke off some big runs in practices and had a 19-yard run against the Cincinnati Bengals in the preseason opener. Powell (5-7, 183) decidedly does not have Dillon’s frame. If the Eagles desire that in an emergency option, they’ll have to wait out the waiver wire to add an external player to the practice squad.
Wide receivers
Berman (5)
A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, Jahan Dotson, John Metchie III, Darius Cooper
Cut: Ainias Smith, Terrace Marshall, Avery Williams, Ife Adeyi, Taylor Morin
IR: Johnny Wilson (out for season)
The trade for Metchie and Wilson’s injury altered the depth chart this week. Cooper has been a training camp darling and showed enough promise to earn a spot on the roster. Wilson’s injury hurt the size on the depth chart; Cooper helps, but the Eagles could scour the waiver wire for a big-bodied receiver. The hardest one to figure out was Ainias Smith, who the Eagles kept on the roster last year and could help as a punt returner. There are better options on special teams, though, and the Eagles could gamble that he won’t develop into a difference-maker if he surfaces elsewhere.
Kubena (5)
A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, Jahan Dotson, Darius Cooper, John Metchie III
Cut: Terrace Marshall, Ainias Smith, Avery Williams, Taylor Morin, Ife Adeyi, Elijah Cooks
IR: Johnny Wilson (out for season)
If I’m Roseman, I’m texting videos of Ainias Smith’s two preseason touchdown receptions and 46-yard punt return to every GM, calling them before they discover his drops and seeing if they want to deal a late-round pick to nab him before he hits the waiver wire. There’s just no room for the 2024 fifth-round pick — even with Wilson undergoing season-ending surgery. My Aug. 12 argument that the Eagles could carry six receivers was made moot by Wilson’s knee and ankle injury. Marshall is a vested veteran who missed four practices and the preseason opener with a knee injury. There’s a chance another team comes calling with a free-agent deal, but it’d benefit the 2021 second-round pick to stick around in Philly, get further acclimated in the offense and wait for a roster spot to eventually open up.
Tight ends
Berman (3)
Dallas Goedert, Grant Calcaterra, Kylen Granson
Cut: E.J. Jenkins, Cameron Latu, Nick Muse
I can see the Eagles cutting Granson and signing him to the practice squad. This is a position at which the Eagles could also be active on the trade market and waiver wire. The Granson inclusion was not made with conviction, but given Goedert’s injury history, would the Eagles want to go thin and try to play practice squad gymnastics? They might prefer more certainty, and Granson brings experience as a pass catcher.
Kubena (2)
Dallas Goedert, Grant Calcaterra
Cut: Kylen Granson, E.J. Jenkins, Cameron Latu, Nick Muse
There’s less value at TE3 with VanSumeren’s integration into the passing game. VanSumeren recorded his first-ever NFL catch with an 11-yard reception against the Jets. The lower end of the depth chart did little to suggest the Eagles need to carry three tight ends to open the season. Roseman did well to deal Harrison Bryant to the Houston Texans for Metchie, which fulfilled positional depth at a greater need.
The Eagles may try to put offensive lineman Brett Toth on the practice squad. (Bill Streicher / Imagn Images)Offensive line
Berman (10)
Jordan Mailata, Landon Dickerson, Cam Jurgens, Tyler Steen, Lane Johnson, Matt Pryor, Drew Kendall, Darian Kinnard, Trevor Keegan, Myles Hinton
Cut: Brett Toth, Kenyon Green, Cameron Williams, Kendall Lamm, Hollin Pierce
International exemption: Laekin Vakalahi
This is the most unsettled the offensive line depth has been in recent memory. The good news for the Eagles is that the starting group might be the best in the NFL. If they can stay healthy, there isn’t concern. If there are injuries, Jeff Stoutland must work his magic. Pryor is likely the swing tackle. Hinton is a developmental tackle. I wanted to keep Williams on here for development — that pick was made with the future in mind — but has he shown enough promise this summer? Keegan followed that plan last year and the Eagles will try to see strides in Year 2, although this group might be too heavy on interior linemen. Green has draft pedigree, but he did not show enough to earn a roster spot. You might be surprised to see Toth excluded from this list. He’s been a practice squad player in the past, and my guess is the Eagles try to do that again, even though he’s been with the first-team offensive line since Dickerson’s injury. The same is true with Lamm; there’s no need to guarantee his salary by keeping him on the Week 1 roster when he’s not entrenched as the swing tackle.
Kubena (10)
Jordan Mailata, Landon Dickerson, Cam Jurgens, Tyler Steen, Lane Johnson, Drew Kendall, Darian Kinnard, Trevor Keegan, Myles Hinton, Cameron Williams
Cut: Kenyon Green, Matt Pryor, Brett Toth, Hollin Pierce, Kendall Lamm
International exemption: Laekin Vakalahi
This was the toughest position group to project. Toth has offered the Eagles depth at every position over the last six years. But he’s now expendable. The Eagles have a true backup center in Kendall, a fifth-round pick, and they have young investments at guard and tackle they ought to see through. Roseman will have to accept bad optics for cutting Green, the player compensation in the C.J. Gardner-Johnson trade, but Keegan offers the Eagles more because 1) Green has one year left on his contract and Keegan, a 2024 fifth-round pick, has a cost-effective three remaining, and 2) Keegan has been training at both guard and center. Stoutland also gets to keep both of his sixth-round tackle projects. Kinnard makes the team because he’d hit the waiver wire, and the Eagles can lean on their established relationship with Pryor to supply the practice squad with another swing tackle who can also play guard.
Defensive line
Berman (6)
Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis, Moro Ojomo, Ty Robinson, Gabe Hall, Byron Young
Cut: Jacob Sykes, Justin Rogers, Joe Evans, Jereme Robinson
The Eagles have depth on the defensive line, prompting them to trade Thomas Booker earlier this month. The top four have been entrenched all summer. Hall earned a roster spot with a strong camp. Young is more of a question mark, but there’s a reason the Eagles carried him on the roster last season. He was disruptive in Friday’s game and is worth keeping on the 53. The Eagles should feel good about their depth with this group.
Kubena (5)
Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis, Moro Ojomo, Ty Robinson, Byron Young
Cut: Gabe Hall, Joe Evans, Justin Rogers, Jacob Sykes
This projection draws from the Eagles’ confidence that Davis will log more snaps this season. It also counts on the inside-outside versatility of fourth-round pick Robinson, who can supply fresh legs anywhere across the line. Young and Hall are comparable interior defensive linemen. Hall, a former undrafted rookie who has yet to appear in a regular-season game, has been waived and signed by the Eagles before.
Edge rushers
Berman (5)
Nolan Smith, Jalyx Hunt, Joshua Uche, Azeez Ojulari, Patrick Johnson
Cut: Ogbo Okoronkwo, Ochaun Mathis, Antwaun Powell-Ryland
This is another position where I can see the Eagles scanning the trade market and waiver wire. The final spot came down to Johnson and Okoronkwo. If the decision is made based on pass rushing, I’d give the edge to Okoronkwo. When factoring in special teams — which matters for the fifth edge rusher — I’ll go with Johnson. The Eagles thought they could sneak him through waivers last season. He’s a vested veteran this time around, but there’s a reason they brought him back. Powell-Ryland’s strip sack on Friday raised eyebrows. It wasn’t enough to get him a spot on the 53.
Kubena (6)
Nolan Smith Jr., Jalyx Hunt, Joshua Uche, Azeez Ojulari, Patrick Johnson, Ogbo Okoronkwo
Cut: Ochaun Mathis, Antwaun Powell-Ryland Jr., Jereme Robinson
Uche, Ojulari, Johnson and Okoronkwo have all had their moments in training camp. None of them has particularly popped. This is a unit in which the Eagles generally ride the hot hand. The Eagles can afford to retain Okoronkwo, a July addition, to see if he eventually supplies the quality rushes he fielded with the Browns, Texans and Rams.
Linebackers
Berman (4)
Zack Baun, Jihaad Campbell, Jeremiah Trotter Jr., Smael Mondon Jr.
Cut: Lance Dixon, Dallas Gant, Chance Campbell
IR: Nakobe Dean
A strong quartet — especially compared to past season — should give assistant coach Bobby King confidence. Campbell’s progress this summer should make him a Day 1 starter, while Trotter and Mondon are capable reserves. The big question here is when Dean returns, and what role Dean plays when that happens.
Kubena (4)
Zack Baun, Jihaad Campbell, Jeremiah Trotter Jr., Smael Mondon Jr.
Cut: Lance Dixon, Dallas Gant, Chance Campbell
IR: Nakobe Dean
Campbell’s advancement to first-team linebacker was the most promising development for the Eagles in training camp. Linebacker is no longer an underfunded position in Philadelphia. There’s only one question here: What happens to Nakobe Dean when he returns from his torn patellar tendon later this season?
Cornerbacks
Berman (6)
Quinyon Mitchell, Cooper DeJean, Adoree’ Jackson, Kelee Ringo, Mac McWilliams, Jakorian Bennett
Cut: Parry Nickerson, Eli Ricks, A.J. Woods, Brandon Johnson, Tariq Castro-Fields
Nobody separated himself at No. 2 outside cornerback, and it appears Jackson will be the starter. Ringo will remain a special teams contributor, but could a change of scenery benefit him during a year when he was supposed to lock down the starting job? Bennett could eventually win that spot opposite Mitchell. The Eagles have spent two years developing Ricks, and a case could be made to keep him. I’d be surprised if the Eagles kept seven cornerbacks, so it would require cutting Jackson or trading Ringo to facilitate that. Nickerson has had a good camp as a slot cornerback and could find a spot on the practice squad.
Kubena (7)
Quinyon Mitchell, Cooper DeJean, Adoree’ Jackson, Mac McWilliams, Jakorian Bennett, Kelee Ringo, Eli Ricks
Cut: Parry Nickerson, Brandon Johnson, A.J. Woods, Tariq Castro-Fields
A pink slip for Ringo may be the best thing for his future development. After three summers in South Philly, the 2023 fourth-round pick failed to seize the CB2 spot in his most favorable position battle yet. A firing may fuel him. Still, the Eagles don’t have a solid CB2 option and lack the depth to release Ringo. He, at the very least, can repeat his 76 percent share of special teams snaps. Perhaps another team is willing to deal a late-round pick for a shot at developing him. McWilliams is the backup nickel, and safety Drew Mukuba subs in dime packages.
Safeties
Berman (4)
Reed Blankenship, Sydney Brown, Drew Mukuba, Tristin McCollum
Cut: Andre’ Sam, Lewis Cine, Maxen Hook
The question at safety is Mukuba’s health. If he’s going to miss time, the Eagles might want to go deeper at this position. Sam could be a candidate. Cine had an interception on Friday. As it stands, McCollum is the No. 4 safety and the Eagles can go with these four knowing that DeJean is also an option.
Kubena (4)
Reed Blankenship, Sydney Brown, Drew Mukuba, Tristin McCollum
Cut: Andre’ Sam, Lewis Cine, Maxen Hook
Mukuba’s shoulder and hamstring injuries prevented him from fully competing with Brown for the starting safety spot opposite Blankenship. Brown may start Week 1, but he’ll have to fend off Mukuba throughout the season. Mukuba will get his snaps. His status as the defense’s dime defender suggests he can also play nickel in an emergency situation.
Specialists
Berman (3)
Jake Elliott, Braden Mann, Charley Hughlett
No questions here — there’s no internal competition, and a strong summer from Elliot and Mann should make the Eagles feel comfortable in the operation.
Kubena (3)
Jake Elliott, Braden Mann, Charley Hughlett
New year, new long-snapper. Elliott was a career-worst 1-for-7 from 50-plus yards in 2024. The Eagles have full confidence in Elliott to build on his 10-for-11 streak on playoff field goal attempts, including a 50-yard make in Super Bowl LIX.
(Top photo of Ainias Smith: Elsa / Getty Images)