Philadelphia Eagles: An Early Prediction at the 2015 Final 53-Man Roster

The much-anticipated 2015 NFL draft has come and gone. While Philadelphia Eagles head coach Chip Kelly didn’t pull off a blockbuster trade for Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota, he did add a quality first-round wide receiver and then a slew of defensive backs that will compete for starting and depth spots on next year’s roster.

It’s still long before training camp and preseason games, which means anything can still happen to the roster. After all, the Eagles can have up to 90 players on their roster for the next several months before having to trim to the league-mandated 53.

Here’s a way-too-early prediction at which Eagles players will be on the roster come the Week 1 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons.

Quarterback

It’s probably safe to say Marcus Mariota won’t be under center for the 2015 Philadelphia Eagles. That means Chip Kelly will be rolling with Sam Bradford as his quarterback, a former No. 1 overall pick whom Kelly obviously believes can be extremely successful in his system.

Mark Sanchez was re-signed to a two-year deal to be Bradford’s backup, and he’s a quality fill-in should Bradford get injured again.

The third quarterback spot will be the talk of training camp, as disappointing 2013 fourth-rounder Matt Barkley will try to hold off former Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow, a player who hasn’t actually played in the league in three seasons.

Ultimately, the Eagles will either try to shop Barkley for a low draft pick or cut him, considering they already tried to trade him before signing Tebow. Say what you want about Tebow’s career completion percentage, but Kelly likely signed him for a reason.

Prediction: Sam Bradford, Mark Sanchez, Tim Tebow (3)

Running Back

Last year, Chip Kelly only kept three running backs on the Week 1 roster—LeSean McCoy, Darren Sproles and Chris Polk.

This year, McCoy has been replaced by last year’s leading rusher, DeMarco Murray, while Ryan Mathews was signed as depth. That gives the Eagles a quality backfield, plus veteran Darren Sproles is still in the mix.

Theoretically, Matthew Tucker or former Oregon Duck Kenjon Barner could earn a spot on the 53-man roster, but both seem stretched as NFL players.

Prediction: DeMarco Murray, Ryan Mathews, Darren Sproles (3) [6 total]

Wide Receiver

The Philadelphia Eagles added USC’s Nelson Agholor with the 20th selection in the first round, giving new quarterback Sam Bradford a playmaker to go with last year’s draft picks, Jordan Matthews and Josh Huff.

Veteran Riley Cooper is entering the second year of a five-year, $22.5 million extension. It’s quite evident at this point that Cooper isn’t the player he briefly was in 2013, but his contract all but ensures his roster spot in ’15.

The battle for the final receiver spots should be interesting. Miles Austin is a big receiver and a former two-time Pro Bowler who has struggled lately with recurring hamstring issues. He will have to prove during camp that he’s deserving of a spot. What does help Austin’s case is the fact that the team gave him $1 million in guaranteed money.

Seyi Ajirotutu is an interesting candidate to earn a roster spot largely because of his special teams skills. He’s a big player at 6’3", 215 pounds and was voted the 2014 Special Teams Player of the Year by his San Diego Chargers teammates a year ago. As of now, he has a good chance to win a spot.

Undrafted rookie Devante Davis could be the steal of the draft; many draft experts had him projected as a mid-round prospect, but he somehow didn’t get picked. Davis has tremendous size at 6’3”, 220 pounds and posted a solid 40-yard dash time (4.53). He missed time last year due to a hand injury and played at a smaller school (UNLV), which could be why he went undrafted.

If Kelly goes with six receivers, it’s likely the final two spots are between Austin, Ajiorutu and Davis.

Prediction: Jordan Matthews, Riley Cooper, Nelson Agholor, Josh Huff, Devante Davis, Seyi Ajirotutu (6) [12]

Tight End

Most teams keep three tight ends on the 53-man roster, and it makes sense that the same happens for the 2015 Philadelphia Eagles.

Brent Celek is a personal favorite of Chip Kelly’s, as he can block, can catch passes and is a terrific teammate. Zach Ertz was highly touted as a breakout player last year, and while he wasn’t targeted quite as much as many expected, he’s still on track to be one of the 10 best tight ends in the NFL by 2015.

Trey Burton is a sleeper for a larger role next year. He’s a former undrafted free agent who worked his way onto the ’14 club via his special teams success, and he was even (briefly) handling carries by December.

Prediction: Brent Celek, Zach Ertz, Trey Burton (3) [15]

Offensive Line

Contrary to what many may think, the Philadelphia Eagles have a very good offensive line, probably one of the five best units in the National Football League.

Jason Peters and Evan Mathis are All-Pros on the left side and project to be standout players once again (assuming Mathis isn’t traded or, worse, released). Jason Kelce is a highly athletic center who is coming off his first Pro Bowl invitation. And right tackle Lane Johnson was Kelly’s first-ever draft pick and, surprisingly, the last offensive lineman the Eagles have drafted to date.

With longtime Eagle Todd Herremans recently released, a camp competition will likely determine the starting right guard. Top candidates include Allen Barbre, Andrew Gardner and Matt Tobin. Barbre was expected to be the top backup at both tackle and guard last year but spent the season on injured reserve. Gardner played well when called upon, finishing with a positive grade, per Pro Football Focus.

David Molk is the likely backup center for the second straight year, assuming he can hold off Julian Vandervelde in training camp. 2012 fifth-rounder Dennis Kelly won’t make the team.

Prediction: Jason Peters, Evan Mathis, Jason Kelce, Allen Barbre, Lane Johnson, Andrew Gardner, Matt Tobin, David Molk (8) [23]

Defensive Line

For the past several weeks, Fletcher Cox was rumored to be part of a package deal for Marcus Mariota, but now that he’s here, he anchors a top-10 defensive line.

Cedric Thornton and Bennie Logan will return as starters, while pass-rushing specialist Vinny Curry recorded nine sacks and four forced fumbles as a part-time player. Beau Allen is the backup nose tackle behind Logan and will face little camp competition for that role.

Taylor Hart was a fifth-round pick last year and couldn’t even get on the field, but his Oregon ties and the fact that he was drafted should put him on the roster. Brandon Bair is a quality special teams player.

It will be an interesting camp competition between this year's seventh-round draft pick, Brian Mihalik, and undrafted free agent Travis Raciti. Raciti should win this—he was hosted by the Eagles in a predraft visit and probably should have been picked around the sixth round. He's a solid under-the-radar signing by the Eagles, and he will compete for a backup 5-technique spot.

Prediction: Cedric Thornton, Bennie Logan, Fletcher Cox, Vinny Curry, Beau Allen, Taylor Hart, Brandon Bair, Travis Raciti (8) [31]

Linebacker

Connor Barwin and Brandon Graham are the starters outside, while Kiko Alonso, Mychal Kendricks and DeMeco Ryans are on the inside, unless Kendricks still gets traded.

Last year’s first-round bust, Marcus Smith, has to be considered a lock to make the team by virtue of the fact that he was drafted in Round 1. This year’s third-round pick, Jordan Hicks, will be the seventh linebacker.

That leaves a handful of players fighting for one or two spots. Bryan Braman is a standout special teams player, although he doesn’t play defense. He makes eight linebackers. It’s likely the final spot or two (if Kelly goes with nine or 10) comes down to Emmanuel Acho, Travis Long, Brad Jones and Najee Goode. Long gets it because he can play both inside and outside.

Prediction: Connor Barwin, Brandon Graham, Kiko Alonso, DeMeco Ryans, Mychal Kendricks, Marcus Smith, Jordan Hicks, Bryan Braman, Travis Long (9) [40]

Secondary

It’s quite a different secondary than last year. Gone are Cary Williams and Bradley Fletcher, and in their place are $63 million corner Byron Maxwell and second-round rookie Eric Rowe. You also won’t see Brandon Boykin on this roster, as he’s my projection to be traded soon for a 2016 fourth-round draft pick.

The nickel corner role will be either Nolan Carroll or Walter Thurmond, with the other being the dime back. At safety, Malcolm Jenkins is entrenched as the one starter, but it will be a wide-open camp competition for the other starting spot.

Jaylen Watkins may have the lead, seeing as he was a fourth-rounder last year whom the team will try to convert to safety. Earl Wolff’s minor microfracture knee surgery last season may keep him off the roster, whether it’s via him going to injured reserve again or being released in training camp.

Ed Reynolds failed to make the team last year as a fifth-round rookie, and he may have an uphill battle to make the 2015 roster unless he shines on special teams. Chris Maragos should make it, because he’s a standout special teams player. It's likely Maragos and Chris Prosinski are competing for one spot, as they are similar players.

E.J. Biggers will need to either win the strong safety job or impress as a nickel corner to make the roster, but considering there’s no guaranteed money on his one-year deal, the team is obviously just taking a flier on him.

Late-round draft picks from this year JaCorey Shepherd and Randall Evans should have good odds to make the roster. It may be one or the other, but Shepherd will have the lead, as he’s being considered one of the steals of the draft.

Jerome Couplin III was added to the Eagles’ roster last December off the Detroit Lions’ practice squad; he’s a freak athlete with tremendous measurables, and he’s going to find a way to make the roster, whether it’s via his defensive skills or special teams success.

Prediction: Byron Maxwell, Eric Rowe, Malcolm Jenkins, Nolan Carroll, Walter Thurmond, Jaylen Watkins, Chris Maragos, JaCorey Shepherd, Randall Evans, Jerome Couplin III (10) [50]

Special Teams

It’s doubtful the special teams unit changes at all. Cody Parkey was a surprise success as a rookie, winning the job from Alex Henery and then kicking his way to a Pro Bowl selection and a league rookie record in points scored.

Punter Donnie Jones is solid, if unspectacular, and probably one of the 10 best in the game at his craft. Long snapper Jon Dorenbos has never had a bad snap and is a two-time Pro Bowler.

Prediction: Cody Parkey, Donnie Jones, Jon Dorenbos (3) [53]