Breaking Down Philadelphia Eagles' Likely Opening Game Starting Lineup

The Philadelphia Eagles played their preseason opener on Sunday, but it was hardly a preview of the real thing on September 14. To say the club was playing without its starting lineup intact would be a huge understatement.

Several key starters were held out, either because of injury, coach's decision or both. Other positions are still up for grabs in training-camp battles, which means there's still plenty of time for jobs to be won and lost.

That being said, we're deep enough into the summer now where we can begin to put the pieces together and make an educated guess at what the lineup will look like when it comes time for the regular season.

Ahead, we preview each position group and break down not only who will likely be on the field on opening night, but why—and there may even be one or two surprises.

Quarterback

Michael Perez/Associated Press

Sam Bradford

Don't get too worked up over the Eagles holding Sam Bradford out of the first preseason game. It was strictly a precautionary measure, and it was the first time since training camp opened that the sixth-year veteran has been limited in any way whatsoever.

Not only does Bradford's recovery appear to be going smoothly, he's spun the ball head and shoulders above the rest of the quarterbacks on the roster. In fact, as long as he can stay healthy, the former No. 1 overall draft pick may be headed for a resurgent season in head coach Chip Kelly's offense.

Running Back

Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

DeMarco Murray

Despite the facts that DeMarco Murray has barely practiced since training camp got underway and didn't suit up for the Eagles' preseason opener, Kelly insists the reigning NFL rushing champion is fine. Whatever the problem is, it doesn't seem too serious, and Murray still has four weeks to get ready for the regular season, so it doesn't seem like anything to worry about.

I anticipate the workload could be almost evenly split between Murray and Ryan Mathews over the course of the year. However, as far as who is in the backfield for the Eagles' first series of 2015, it should be Murray as long as he's ready to go.

Wide Receiver

Derik Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports

Nelson Agholor, Josh Huff, Jordan Matthews

The Eagles use three-wide receiver formations more than any other personnel grouping, so for our purposes, there are three starters.

Jordan Matthews is the sure thing here. The Eagles' leading returning receiver from 2014 will reprise his role in the slot, but he will also split out wide or take the field in two-wide sets.

The other spots come down to Nelson Agholor, Josh Huff and Riley Cooper. Cooper and Huff have been running with the first-team offense all training camp and started the Eagles' first preseason game. However, Agholor has been coming on strong the past few weeks and posted an impressive NFL debut on Sunday.

When it comes down to it, Cooper is the least talented of the bunch and could wind up giving way to the first-round draft pick.

Tight End

Derik Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports

Brent Celek

Zach Ertz was making a strong push to overtake Brent Celek on the depth chart, but news that the third-year tight end will miss the remainder of the preseason likely means no changes are in order.

Ertz needed to prove he could be a superior blocker to Celek in order to take the starting job, something he will no longer have an opportunity to do before the regular season arrives.

Offensive Line

Gregory Payan/Associated Press

Jason Peters, Allen Barbre, Jason Kelce, Andrew Gardner, Lane Johnson

The Eagles have a solid core on the edges and right in the middle. Jason Peters is a Hall of Fame left tackle, Lane Johnson is a budding star at right tackle and Jason Kelce is a Pro Bowler who calls the shots at center. For what it's worth, Allen Barbre—a capable swingman—appears to have the job at left guard on lockdown as well.

Right guard is where there's an ongoing competition, and while that will continue deep into the preseason, I'm giving Andrew Gardner the nod. He played well in that role for the Eagles last season to finish out the year, and he has taken more first-team reps there than anybody this summer. John Moffitt could still make a push for the job, but if I had to make a guess today, Gardner is in there on opening night.

Defensive Line

Jeff Haynes/Associated Press

Fletcher Cox, Bennie Logan, Cedric Thornton

No surprises here. Fletcher Cox, Bennie Logan and Cedric Thornton form one of the most impenetrable walls in the NFL, particularly against the run. Cox is also a dominant pass-rusher, while Logan and Thornton give way to defensive end Vinny Curry on throwing downs. This truly is one of the best three-man fronts in football.

Outside Linebacker

Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Connor Barwin, Brandon Graham

Connor Barwin and Brandon Graham have the potential to form one of the best edge-defender tandems in the NFL this season.

Barwin was invited to his first Pro Bowl in 2014 after racking up a career-high 14.5 sacks. This year marks the first time Graham will be a full-time starter in his professional career, but based on metrics by Pro Football Focus, he's been one of the league's most productive rushers for three seasons running.

Interior Linebacker

Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Kiko Alonso, Mychal Kendricks

At this point, the only thing we can say for sure is Kiko Alonso will be out there. The 2013 PFWA Defensive Rookie of the Year is a true three-down linebacker in every sense of the word, and he is destined to become one of the foundational pieces of the Eagles D for years to come.

As far as who starts alongside Alonso, that's open to speculation at this point. Since none of Alonso, Mychal Kendricks or DeMeco Ryans played in the preseason opener, we still haven't seen how the rotation will work. However, Kendricks missed the game with a minor injury, while Ryans' recovery from an Achilles injury appears to be slowing him down.

If all three were completely healthy, I'd put Ryans over Kendricks. But Ryans' progress makes me think he may not be 100 percent in time for September, so it might be Kendricks with Alonso by default.

Cornerback

Matt Rourke/Associated Press

Byron Maxwell, Nolan Carroll

Obviously, Byron Maxwell didn't sign such a massive free-agent contract this offseason to do anything but cover every opponents' best receiver. So far, the fifth-year veteran has had an excellent camp and appears poised to live up to that huge deal, but we'll find out when the lights go on.

Opposite Maxwell, Nolan Carroll appears to have the No. 2 cornerback job settled. Second-round rookie Eric Rowe was providing competition and looks to be catching on fast, but his recent move to nickel corner could be an indication of what his role will be this season. The coaches have been hyping Carroll all summer, so it would probably take a rough preseason for him to fall out of favor at this stage.

Safety

Matt Rourke/Associated Press

Malcolm Jenkins, Walter Thurmond

Malcolm Jenkins is the lone holdover from last season's debacle of a secondary. The veteran safety is the quarterback of the unit and can do whatever is asked, whether it's covering slot receivers, playing single-high zone or dropping down inside the box.

Walter Thurmond is the converted cornerback who's been presupposed as the starter pretty much since making the move back in May. He's had a strong camp, and there hasn't been much in the way of competition, so for now, it appears the Eagles will continue with Thurmond in his new role.