Eagles Who Need Strong Preseason Finish to Make 53-Man Roster

The Philadelphia Eagles enter their final preseason game with a number of interesting possibilities at wide receiver.

Intrigue alone will not get you a spot on a 53-man roster in the NFL, though, especially at a position where a team is top heavy with the likes of A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith.

Deon Cain, Devon Allen, Britain Covey and maybe even Jalen Reagor are fighting to remain on the roster ahead of Saturday's preseason contest with the Miami Dolphins.

Philadelphia has four of its wide receivers sealed for the 2022 season, but one more solid performance from any of the reserve candidates could sway a decision in their favor.

Nick Sirianni and his coaching staff will also have eyes on the secondary on Saturday night.

Undrafted free agent Josh Jobe is pushing to make the roster as a reserve cornerback, while Jaquiski Tartt could go from starter in San Francisco to off the roster in Philadelphia if he does not have a great final audition.

Deon Cain

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PHILADELPHIA, PA - AUGUST 07: Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Deon Cain (85) catches a one handed pass during training camp on August 7, 2022 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia PA. (Photo by Andy Lewis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Deon Cain led the Eagles with five receptions and 66 yards in the second preseason game against the Cleveland Browns.

The standout performance may have done enough to put the 26-year-old ahead of the likes of Devon Allen, Britain Covey, John Hightower and Greg Ward for the final roster spot.

Allen and Covey have shown potential with their speed and could bring something to the return game. Hightower and Ward are veterans who are likely on the outside looking in because of the Eagles' top-end depth with A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, Quez Watkins and Zach Pascal.

The Eagles' wide receiver situation could take a turn if they decide to move on from Jalen Reagor. He could make the roster as the No. 5 wide receiver and help out on returns, but the team has to weigh if other players can do the jobs projected for the former first-round pick.

Cain had the best preseason performance of any fringe wide receivers in preseason, and if he plays well against Miami, he should lock in a spot on the roster.

A lackluster performance could the Clemson product's roster spot in jeopardy, especially if Allen or Covey break a big play.

Allen had a 55-yard touchdown catch versus the Browns, which has been the only other standout play from a reserve wide receiver in preseason.

Josh Jobe

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CLEVELAND, OHIO - AUGUST 21: Cornerback Josh Jobe #38 of the Philadelphia Eagles waits for a play during the second quarter of a preseason game against the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium on August 21, 2022 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Eagles defeated the Browns 21-20. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)

Josh Jobe has become one of the best preseason stories across the NFL.

The former Alabama cornerback was signed as an undrafted free agent and could now be on the verge of making the Eagles' 53-man roster.

Jobe played himself into this position by making 12 tackles in the first two preseason games. He led the Eagles in tackles against the Browns and had the second-most takedowns versus the New York Jets.

The 24-year-old's talent was never in doubt after a few solid seasons with the Crimson Tide, but a foot injury at the end of last season hurt his NFL prospects.

The undrafted free agent was one of Alabama's top contributors in the secondary over the last two seasons. He had a pair of interceptions and 38 tackles over 12 games last year.

Jobe could be valuable backup at cornerback for a team that has Darius Slay and James Bradberry in the starting positions.

One more standout performance against the Dolphins should solidify Jobe's roster spot over the likes of Josiah Scott, Andre Chachere and Jaquiski Tartt in the secondary.

Jaquiski Tartt

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PHILADELPHIA, PA - AUGUST 02: Philadelphia Eagles safety Jaquiski Tartt (23) warms up during training camp on July 29, 2022 at the NovaCare Complex in Philadelphia PA.(Photo by Andy Lewis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Jaquiski Tartt may go from NFL starter to being cut before Week 1.

The 30-year-old started 14 games for the San Francisco 49ers last season, but he did not re-sign with the franchise he had been with for seven years and caught on late in the offseason with the Eagles.

Tartt recorded five tackles, four of the solo variety, in the last preseason game to give him a shot at the 53-man roster.

Philadelphia has Marcus Epps, Anthony Harris and K'Von Wallace who are likely to make the roster at safety. Whether it carries a fourth safety out of camp could come down to Tartt's performance against the Dolphins.

Tartt, Andre Chachere and Reed Blankenship are the true safeties competing for a roster berth. Josiah Scott has taken snaps at safety and could aim to make the 53-man squad as a hybrid player in the secondary.

Tartt carries plenty of NFL experience, but he needs one more solid performance to put himself in good standing with the coaching staff.